Good afternoon everyone.
As the 2025/2026 Women in Leadership Mentorship Programme to a close, I would like to begin by congratulating all mentors and mentees for their commitment, openness, and willingness to invest in growth—both their own and that of others.
This programme has continued to demonstrate something we know to be true: leadership is not simply about position or title. It is about influence, service, collaboration, and the courage to help others succeed. Through the relationships built over the past several months, you have strengthened networks, shared experiences, expanded perspectives, and created opportunities that will continue long after today.
At the Inter-American Development Bank, we believe that developing women leaders is essential for building stronger institutions, stronger businesses, and stronger societies. When women are empowered to lead, organizations benefit from broader perspectives, more innovative solutions, and more inclusive decision-making. Those benefits extend beyond individual workplaces to communities and entire economies.
This message is especially relevant as Trinidad and Tobago looks to the future. The IDB’s proposed Country Strategy for 2026–2030 focuses on three areas that we believe are critical to the country’s continued development: supporting private sector growth, strengthening public sector performance and service delivery, and enhancing social well-being and human capital. Across all these priorities, leadership matters. Success will depend on talented, capable people who can drive change, build partnerships, foster innovation, and inspire confidence in others. Women have a vital role to play in that transformation.
Programmes such as this one, help build that leadership pipeline. They create space for learning, mentorship, and professional growth. They help emerging leaders gain confidence in their abilities and provide access to the networks and support systems needed to navigate increasingly complex environments.
To our mentees, I encourage you to continue investing in yourselves. Remain curious. Seek out new challenges. Continue building the relationships you have formed through this programme. Most importantly, believe in the value that you bring and do not hesitate to step forward when opportunities arise.
To our mentors, thank you for your generosity. Your willingness to share your experiences, lessons learned, and guidance has made a lasting impact. Leadership is often measured by the success we achieve ourselves, but its greatest expression is the success we help others achieve.
I would also like to recognize and thank AMCHAM T&T for its exceptional leadership and commitment to this programme. What began as a shared vision between the IDB and AMCHAM has blossomed under AMCHAM’s stewardship, and we are deeply appreciative of the passion, effort, and resources they continue to invest in developing women leaders across Trinidad and Tobago. Their dedication is creating meaningful opportunities for growth, connection, and empowerment. The IDB is proud to partner with AMCHAM in this important initiative and to support a programme that is helping to strengthen the next generation of leaders and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous future for our country.
As we celebrate the conclusion of this year’s programme, let us remember that mentorship is not an event with a beginning and an end. It is an ongoing commitment to learning, supporting one another, and creating opportunities for those who follow.
Congratulations once again to all participants. We are proud of what you have accomplished, and we look forward to seeing the impact you will continue to make in your organizations, your communities, and our nation.
Thank you, and best wishes for your continued success.