Good afternoon, everyone.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Closing Ceremony of the 8th Annual Women in Leadership Mentorship Programme (WILMP), hosted by AMCHAM T&T and our partner at the Inter-American Development Bank.
A very warm welcome to our distinguished guests, members of the IDB, mentors, mentees, AMCHAM T&T Board members & CEO, partners, and friends.
Let me begin by acknowledging Mr. Julian Belgrave, IDB Country Representative for Trinidad and Tobago. Julian, thank you for your continued partnership and unwavering support of this programme. The IDB has been an invaluable partner in helping us invest in the next generation of female leaders, and we are grateful for your shared commitment to advancing leadership, inclusion, and opportunity.
To our mentors, thank you. Thank you for giving so generously of your time, your experience, and your wisdom. In today's fast-paced world, time is one of our most valuable resources, and your willingness to invest it in someone else's growth is something we deeply appreciate. The guidance, encouragement, and openness you have showed have helped shape this journey for every mentee in this programme.
To our mentees, thank you for choosing to invest in yourselves. Thank you for embracing this opportunity with curiosity, commitment, and the willingness to learn, grow, and challenge yourselves. Leadership begins with the decision to keep learning, and by being here today, you have already demonstrated that commitment.
Mentorship has always been something I value deeply because it reminds us that none of us succeeds alone.
At different stages of our careers, we all need someone who is willing to challenge us, encourage us, open a door, or simply remind us of what we are capable of when we begin to doubt ourselves. Those conversations often become defining moments that shape our confidence, our decisions, and ultimately our leadership.
But mentorship is never a one-way exchange.
While mentees gain knowledge, guidance, and confidence, mentors often gain something equally valuable – a fresh perspective, renewed purpose, and the opportunity to continue learning through the experiences of someone from a different generation or background. That’s why we always say, the strongest mentoring relationships are built on mutual respect, trust, and shared growth.
What excites me most about this programme is that we are not simply matching mentors with mentees – we are building a community. Every year this network grows stronger as new relationships are formed, ideas are exchanged, and lasting professional connections are created. Those relationships become networks. Those networks become partnerships. And those partnerships create new opportunities for individuals, organizations, and our country.
The impact of mentorship extends far beyond the two people involved. It reaches every team they lead, every colleague they encourage, every decision they make, and every person whose confidence they help build. That is how workplace cultures evolve. That is how organizations become stronger. And ultimately, that is how we develop better leaders for Trinidad and Tobago.
This is why programmes like this remain so important.
Organizations that invest in mentorship are investing in leadership succession, stronger talent pipelines, employee engagement, and more inclusive workplaces. They understand that leadership development is not something that happens by chance – it requires intention, investment, and a culture that encourages people to reach their full potential.
AMCHAM T&T, remains committed to championing women in leadership because we know that diverse leadership strengthens organizations, drives better decision-making, encourages innovation, and contributes to stronger business performance.
But creating those opportunities cannot rest with one organization alone. We need more companies and institutions to invest in mentorship, leadership development, and creating workplaces where women have every opportunity to grow, lead, and succeed. I hope the continued success of this programme inspires more companies to create mentorship opportunities for their employees.
As I close, let me just say once more to our mentors, thank you for choosing to give back. And to our mentees, this is not the end of your journey – it is only the beginning. Continue building on the relationships you have formed, continue supporting one another, and continue believing in your ability to lead.
And I hope that one day many of you will return to this programme – not as mentees, but as mentors yourselves. Because the true success of this programme will not be measured simply by how many people complete the programme, but by how many choose to invest in the next generation of leaders. That is how we build lasting leadership, strengthen our organizations, and continue paving the way for others.
Congratulations to each of you on completing this year's programme.
Thank you, enjoy the evening, and let us continue leading with purpose, courage, and a commitment to lifting others as we climb.