HSSE 2024 Speakers
Stuart Franco
President | AMCHAM T&T
Stuart is the Chief Executive Officer of The TSL Group of companies and the youngest member of the board of directors, having been appointed EVP in 2011.
Stuart holds a B.A in Statistics & Economics from the University of Western Ontario and began his career at TSL in 2003 as a Sales Representative. In this role, Stuart achieved an impressive track record of high-quality salesmanship and tremendous care for his
clients. He went on to become the Sales Manager and then E.V.P. of Sales and has brought the company significant success despite the challenging environment of the last few years.
Nirad Tewarie
CEO | AMCHAM T&T
Nirad is the CEO of AMCHAM T&T. He has been a proponent of the expansion of the tech sector in T&T for almost two decades. He has varied experience in media, communications, international relations, and business. He has served on the Board of the Telecommunications Authority of T&T. Among the boards on which he currently sits is a US-based Fintech startup and a local private equity company.
Dr Tyrone Kalpee
VP of Business Transformation | Atlantic
Tyrone Kalpee is a seasoned industry leader with over thirty years of experience, including more than fourteen years in senior roles at bp Trinidad and Tobago, bp United Kingdom, and Rosneft Oil Company in Moscow. As Atlantic’s VP of Business Transformation, Tyrone is tasked with embedding systematic processes and driving the implementation of the Asset Management Framework. His focus on strategic threats and opportunities ensures that Atlantic’s local and global priorities align with robust planning and prioritization. Known for advancing HSE standards, carbon reduction, and business improvements, Tyrone leverages his expertise to address complex industry challenges. He holds a PhD in Environmental Biology, a Master’s in Restoration Ecology, and a BSc in Natural Sciences from the University of the West Indies, along with a Sustainability and Climate Risk certification from the Global Association of Risk Professionals, underscoring his commitment to sustainable and forward-thinking practices in the energy sector.
Bob Edwards
HOP CONSULTANT | THE HOP COACH
Bob Edwards is a Human & Organizational Performance Advocate and practitioner. His experience includes 6 years in the military, over 10 years as a design engineer, an owner of a design firm, a leader for maintenance and technical support teams and he has worked as a safety leader for the past 8 years. Bob takes his life work experiences and combines them with the Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) philosophies to help organizations learn how to better respond to failure and how to use HOP Learning Teams to gain better operational intelligence and to develop more effective, thorough and sustainable solutions to tough operational problems. Bob has led well over 200 Learning Teams for safety, quality, legal and operational events and has worked closely with Todd Conklin to develop a process to help facilitate Learning Teams. Bob has a BS degree in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University and MS degree in Advanced Safety Engineering Management from the University of Alabama Birmingham.
David Burroughs
Principal Psychologist | Australian Psychological Services & Chief Mental Health Officer | Westpac Group
Dave Burroughs is Principal Psychologist of Australian Psychological Services and Chief Mental Health Officer for Westpac Group, Australia oldest bank.
With a 20-year international career as a strategist and consultant psychologist working across multiple industries, Dave is an internationally recognized expert in Psychological Health & Safety and supports many leading government, national and international organizations in adopting strategic and practical approaches to psychosocial risk management and developing mentally healthy workplaces.
Dave is a Mentally Healthy Workplaces Ambassador for SafeWork NSW and a Champion of the National Communications Charter for Mental Health & Suicide. Dave has a commitment to evidence-based practices, a reputation for tackling complex people matters and a passion for innovation and challenging convention.
Fitzroy Harewood
President | Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited
Fitzroy Harewood is the current President of Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited with over thirty-nine years of technical, managerial and leadership experience in the local oil, gas, power and petrochemical industries.
His professional experience includes the Telephone Company of Trinidad and Tobago, (later TSTT); the Trinidad and Tobago Oil Company Limited (Trintoc), a predecessor company of Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Petrotrin) and Yara Trinidad Limited. Mr. Harewood is also a former General Manager of The Power Generation Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (PowerGen) and President of Petrotrin.
He currently serves the local energy industry as Chairman of the Safe-To-Work (STOW) Implementation Board of the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago and Chairman of the Point Lisas Energy Association of CEO’s (PLEA).
Dr. Ishvan Ramcharitar MBBS(UWI), FFOM(Ireland), MSc. OccMed(Aberdeen), DMAC 2d Dive Med (US), Cert. OH Law (UK)
Chief Medical Advisor | Atlantic LNG
Dr. Ish Ramcharitar is the Chief Medical Advisor to Atlantic LNG. He also holds the portfolios of Medical Advisor to the bpTT Region and the NGC Group of Companies.
A medical professional with over twenty years’ experience in occupational medicine, Dr. Ramcharitar was the first physician from the Caribbean to attain specialist qualifications in occupational medicine when he achieved Membership of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians (MFOM). In 2016, he was recognized for his distinguished contribution to the field of occupational medicine when he was awarded Fellowship of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FFOM).
Dr. Ramcharitar has a special interest in the areas of fitness for work, fatigue, toxicology, substance misuse and occupational wellness.
Gail Figaro M.Sc, CBEP, R.E.E.
Managing Director | Phi-Onyx Services Limited
Gail Figaro has created a solid professional reputation within the Business Excellence, Risk Management, Governance, Organizational Psychology and the Occupational Health & Safety industries over the past 23+ years. She has led the creation, implementation, cultural development and continuous improvement of robust Management Systems across the T&T, Barbados, Antigua, Guyana and Jamaican territories.
In 2024, Gail became the first person in the Caribbean and LATAM region have the designation "Certified Business Excellence Professional (CBEP)" conferred upon her by the Business Excellence Institute which is headquartered in Ireland.
Gail is a certified Change Manager, Enterprise Risk Manager, Business Excellence champion and provides Executive Coaching as well. In addition, she is certified by PECB Canada as a Senior Lead Auditor and Trainer for ISO Standards.
L. Anthony Watkins
M.O.M., B.A. Psych., LL.D.
h.c.
CEO & Principal Consultant | ODYSSEY CONSULTinc Limited
L. Anthony Watkins is the CEO and Principal Consultant of ODYSSEY CONSULTinc Limited. He has been actively involved in public and private sector organizational transformation and development in the region, since the early 1990s.
A founding and honorary life member of the Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago (HRMATT), he has served as Chairman of the Community Recovery Committee of Trinidad and Tobago, a member of the ‘Caribbean Leadership Project’ Delivery Team and on numerous Boards of Directors.
In 2019, he was awarded a Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold) and was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) in 2020.
As an OD consultant with over 30 years’ experience, his areas of expertise include organizational change and transformation, visioning and strategy, leadership development, team building and process facilitation.
Chantal Lalla-Maharaj
Health Discipline Lead | BP Global Projects
Chantal Lalla-Maharaj, Health Discipline Lead, BP Global Projects, is responsible for providing highly advanced technical expertise, leadership and strategic oversight as the Segment Subject Matter Expert for bp Global Projects on occupational medicine, industrial hygiene, public health, environmental health and emerging risks control measures and strategy. She is also responsible for promoting the visibility and value of health and wellness across bp Global Projects organization.
Chantal brings 20 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry within the health discipline with a passionate drive for excellence, simplification and efficiency and care for others.
Chantal is a Board-Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) from the Board for Global EHS Credentialing. She has had formal training at Harvard University, having completed her studies in ergonomics and human factors: strategic solutions for workplace safety and health.
Catherine Ramnarine
Partner - M. Hamel Smith & Company
Catherine is a Partner at the law firm of M. Hamel-Smith & Company. One of the primary focuses of her practice is labour and employment law.
She has significant knowledge and practical experience in this area and has represented and advised clients on a wide range of issues including pre-employment screening, drafting employment contracts, employee benefits and entitlements, managing performance, promotions, disciplinary investigations and hearings, redundancy and retrenchment, transfers of business, discrimination and workplace injury claims.
Jeremy Francis
Organization Development Specialist | Human Resources
Jeremy is an Organization Development Specialist in the Human Resources sector and operates locally, regionally, and internationally. He founded Beyond Consulting in 2009 to provide best-in-class training and consultancy in Assessment/Development Centres and Psychometrics in the Caribbean.
He uses international benchmarks to provide training and services in Assessment/Development Centres, Psychometric Assessments, Performance Management Systems, Competency Frameworks, Business Process Management, Coaching, Learning and Development and General HR Consulting.
Jeremy is also a Founding Director of the Neurodiversity Foundation, based in Trinidad and Tobago. This NGO, which was launched in October 2023, seeks to level the playing field for those who think differently in a ‘neurotypical’ world, which includes those diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and other neurodivergent conditions. He is also pursuing PhD studies to investigate the link between Neurodiversity and Psychological Safety.
Sherida Mohammed
Certified Industrial Hygenist | Nutrien
Sherida Mohammed is a passionate Occupational Health and Safety professional who has supported various clients in the energy sector for 15+ years. She has worked across many industries and has contributed significantly to the success of these organizations in managing industrial hygiene risks. She has led the development and implementation of Industrial Hygiene programs and comprehensive exposure risk assessment strategies using the Total Worker Health approach. Her experience also includes expert witness testimony, investigative evaluations and facilitating internationally led occupational hygiene courses and workshops. She is respected by her peers and frequently consulted to tackle complex occupational health matters. She values frontline worker engagement in raising workplace industrial hygiene awareness and promoting a culture of commitment and care.
Sherida is a Board-Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) from the Board for Global EHS Credentialing and holds a MSc. degree in Occupational Hygiene.
Michelle Lutchmansingh
Business Partner, Talent Transformation | Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited
Michelle Lutchmansingh - Business Partner, Talent Transformation at Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited is responsible for the design, implementation and sustainability of the company’s talent transformation program. She works directly with the leadership team to develop and implement the talent management agenda in organization capability building through innovative approaches to developing the workforce of the future via the implementation of a global mindset strategy, and workplace immersions program.
Michelle brings over 20 years’ practical experience in delivering talent management solutions that are aligned to the business strategy, data driven and best in class. As a competency development specialist, she has led the design and introduction of competency management systems within the oil and gas sector for professionals and the vocational workforce. Her application and adoption of HR frameworks and tools to integrate and align talent management functions spans the areas of performance management, learning & development, succession and career planning and HR technology.
Michelle is certified in Competency Management, Korn Ferry Leadership Assessment, Succession Planning and as a Continuous Improvement Coach. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies, Bachelor of Law and MBA Business Administration.
Allan Ramnarine
Manager, Assurance | Worley
Allan Ramnarine serves as the Manager of Assurance at Worley's Trinidad location, where he leverages over 25 years of expertise in Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental (QHSE) management. With a distinguished career spanning the construction, manufacturing, and petrochemical sectors, Allan has consistently demonstrated his operational acumen in leading, promoting, and implementing robust management systems.
Throughout his career, Allan has played a pivotal role in the successful execution of complex projects for multinational corporations in both upstream and downstream sectors. His extensive experience includes managing the full lifecycle of projects from proposal development through to execution across both onshore and offshore facilities.
Allan’s capabilities extend to collaborating closely with client project teams to develop and manage comprehensive HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, and Environment) programs, overseeing construction management activities, conducting bid and contractor evaluations, and delivering workforce HSSE training. He is also highly experienced in conducting QHSSE audits, performance assessments, and compliance reviews. Beyond his role at Worley, Allan is recognized as a Senior Independent Assessor for the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago's Safe To Work Program, underscoring his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality in the industry.
Ian Walcott
Vice President, Operations | NGC
Mr. Ian Walcott joined NGC as Vice President, Operations in March 2023. He is a chemical engineer by profession, starting his career in 1991 as a trainee engineer for the then Fertilizers of Trinidad and Tobago Limited.
Over the last 32 years, Mr. Walcott has gained his professional experience and growth, including working on multiple plant revamps and new plant construction projects. For the last two decades, he has functioned in a variety of leadership roles, including leading technical groups, HSE, operations and most recently, Managing Director of an ammonia and urea complex on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. From his perspective in the energy sector, Ian has developed a keen passion for Trinidad and Tobago’s energy journey, getting involved in strategic conversations around various carbon reduction initiatives and plans to diversify Trinidad and Tobago’s energy portfolio.
Mr. Walcott has a B.Sc. Chemical Engineering from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine and an MBA Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Anglia Ruskin University. He pursued Executive Leadership Training at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
Sheldon Sylvester
Vice President, Corporate Services and Business Development | National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited
Mr. Sheldon Sylvester has over 30 years’ experience in Finance and Accounting in both the manufacturing and energy sectors. Sheldon joined National Energy in July 2017 and is currently the Vice President, Corporate Services & Business Development, with responsibility for the finance, non-renewable business development, and other support functions.
In March 2022, Sheldon was seconded to act as President at NGC CNG Company Limited (now NGC Green Company Limited), a position he held for one year. Sheldon has also worked at Phoenix Park Gas Processors for 12 years with responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, debt, and treasury management.
He is the holder of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Heriot-Watt University and holds professional memberships with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago.
Keron Sooklal
Regional Business Consultant - NorthStar Integrated Solutions LLC and
Owner
-
GuyaTrin Special Service
s
Mr. Keron Sooklal is a proficient HSSE professional with a broad spectrum of experience in the Port, Maritime, and Petrochemical sectors.
Keron is also a proud member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Reserves, where he serves as a part-time Reservist Soldier for over 14 years. His academic credentials include an MSc from the University of Greenwich, along with certifications in Maritime Security Management Systems and Auditing (ISPS Code 2012). He is a licensed Security practitioner, holding the gold standard for security management professionals: ASIS CPP® certification.
In his professional capacity, Keron has played a pivotal role in achieving significant milestones for various private companies and business interests in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. He currently serves as the Regional Risk Management Consultant for the Trinidad and Tobago Private Security Association (TTPSA) and was elected as an Executive Member of the Guyana Association of Private Security Organizations (GAPSO) in April 2024, and he is now leading the formation of the Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce. Keron is also a Referral Associate for Texila American University, Guyana and serves as the Regional Business Consultant (Caribbean & South America) for NorthStar Integrated Solutions LLC, a technology, maritime & aviation (Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk) company.
Rodney Hosein
Vice President, Production | bpTT
Rodney is currently the Vice President, Production for bp Trinidad and Tobago. In this role he has overall accountability for the safe, reliable, compliant & competitive operations of BPTT’s operating assets along with maintaining key stakeholder relationships.
Across his twenty-eight-year career Rodney has held several leadership roles in Engineering & Operations. Including, Vice President, Operations, Maintenance & Engineering Manager, Area Operations Manager & Asset Manager. He has also worked internationally in the UK and US in Operational leadership roles, having spent time in the Safety & Operational Risk Executive Office during the Deep-Water Horizon investigation and the set-up of the S&OR organization. He also worked as an Area Operations Manager in North America Gas (NAG). He holds a BSc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of West Indies and started his career as a Process Engineer at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate (Yara) before joining BP in 2000 as a Facilities Engineer. He is committed to continuous learning & very passionate about working with people and helping them achieve their fullest potential.
David Welch
Managing Director | CARIB Brewery Limited
David Welch is the Managing Director of CARIB Brewery Limited, bringing extensive experience from a distinguished career in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. His journey with the ANSA McAL Group began as Marketing Director at CARIB
Brewery from 2000 to 2006.
David is a seasoned executive known for his leadership and strategic insight. Most recently, he served as the Chief Operating Officer at Dairy Distributors, where he achieved significant operational success and growth. Prior to this, he was the Export Manager at Nabisco International, gaining valuable international market experience and honing his strategic skills.
An advocate for transformative leadership, David emphasises the importance of a clear organisational purpose in fostering a motivated and successful workforce. His approach focuses on innovation and performance, supported by a strategic mindset to drive growth and operational excellence. His substantial financial and operational expertise has been instrumental in his roles throughout his career.
In addition to his extensive industry experience, David holds an MBA with distinction from Anglia Ruskin University, specialising in project and supply chain management.
Behzad Hassanali
Sector HR Manager | CARIB Brewery Limited
Behzad Hassanali currently serves as the Sector HR Manager at CARIB Brewery Limited. As a member of the Sector’s Executive Leadership team, he is responsible for overseeing the Human Resources, Industrial Relations, HSE and Change and Project Management functions. His leadership spans across operations in Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Guyana and Florida, Prior to this, Behzad held the position of Group Industrial Relations/Employee Relations Manager at the ANSA McAL Group of Companies, where he provided strategic oversight and leadership, enhanced organisational performance, and managed complex industrial relations matters.
Having also worked in the Oil and Gas Industry for seventeen (17) years, he has been afforded a myriad of experiences in areas such as Information Communication and Technology (ICT), Corporate Communications, Human Resources (HR), Industrial Relations (IR) and Alternative Dispute Resolution. He is also a certified mediator with the Mediation Board of Trinidad and Tobago.
Behzad is known for driving success and efficiency within dynamic work environments. He continues to leverage his extensive background to foster a positive work environment, while advancing the strategic objectives of the company.
Lisaan Dipchan
Lead Coach and Managing Director | Mindful Resolutions
Lisaan Dipchan is an Internationally Certified Executive Coach and Success Coach recognized by the Certified Coaches Alliance. She is the lead coach and managing director at Mindful Resolutions. With a remarkable 18-year background in Industrial Hygiene and HSSE within the energy sector, Lisaan brings a wealth of expertise to the world of coaching. Specializing in solution-oriented coaching, Lisaan is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses achieve their full potential and future goals. Passionate about empowering others, Lisaan thrives on coaching individuals to attain personal success and excellence in all aspects of life. Known for her enthusiasm and capability in coaching businesses and leadership to HSSE success, she is also an advocate for women's empowerment and is deeply committed to fostering transformational leadership to build the leaders of tomorrow.
Stephan Lalonde
Director Human Resources for Caribbean South and East
Stephan is an HR professional who consistently challenges the status quo and focuses on being an employee advocate while always supporting the business strategy and add value for the organization’s customers.
His career spans over 25 years where he’s spent the last 14 at Scotiabank, 6 and half in Trinidad and Tobago as Director Human Resources for Caribbean South and East.
Kurt Seecharan
Process Safety & Risk Superintendent | bpTT
Mr. Kurt Seecharan has over twenty (20) years of experience in the oil and gas sector with expertise in the areas of engineering, auditing, risk management, health and safety and emergency response planning. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of West Indies.
Kurt began his career as a Mechanical Engineer in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries. After a decade, he transitioned to bp Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT) where he held several senior roles, including Assurance Lead in the Safety and Operational Risk department and Process Safety and Risk Superintendent in the Process and Operational Safety Department. With over eleven (11) years at bpTT, Kurt is primarily responsible for ensuring conformance to process safety and risk management requirements.
Additionally, he was an associate lecturer in the engineering department at the University of Trinidad and Tobago for over ten (10) years.
Luz S. Marín, ScD, CSP
Associate Professor, Department of Safety Sciences and Environmental Engineering | Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
Dr. Marin has a BS in Chemical Engineering from National University of Colombia, and master’s degrees in: Occupational Health Management (Del Rosario University, Colombia), Project Design Management (Colombian School of Engineering), and Work Environment (UML). She holds a doctoral degree in Occupational Ergonomics and Safety from UML with a minor in Occupational Epidemiology. She teaches courses in safety management, occupational toxicology, applied ergonomics, and qualitative research methods at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Marin's research areas of interest include socio-economic determinants of workplace safety & health among Hispanic workers, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, sexual harassment as an occupational hazard, and new technologies for safety training. She is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and a board member of Hispanic Safety Professionals (ASSP-HSP).
Balchan Jadoonanan
HSSE Manager | DeNovo Energy Limited
Balchan Jadoonanan is an HSE and CMER professional with over 19 years of experience in the Oil and Gas industry. He entered the industry as a Process Plant Operations Technician at Atlantic LNG in 2004, then transferred to the Health, Safety, Security and the Environment (HSSE) Department in 2007, where he helped to establish the framework for the company’s Control of Work program and HSE management system. As a key member of the Atlantic Safety Team, he was later promoted to its leadership in 2012. For the period of 2016-2018, Balchan was seconded to BPTT as an H&S Advisor where he offered his expertise acquired from years of experience and study in the field. Upon returning to Atlantic, he was promoted to HSE Manager where he played a key role in the development and implementation of several of Atlantic’s industry-leading HSE initiatives. In August of this year, Balchan transitioned to his present role as HSSE Manager with DeNovo Energy Limited. Balchan is an advocate of continuous improvement and digitalization, as such he is at the forefront of several initiatives that aim to leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance corporate HSE performance.
Balchan is a Member of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management, the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the Chair of the AmCham TT HSSE Committee and a member of the AUOTT, ESSI Operations and PLEA HSSE Committee.
He is a certified ISO 45001 and 14001 Lead Auditor, holds a Master of Science Degree in Occupational Safety and Health from the University of Greenwich; several additional certifications including the NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, NEBOSH Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety; and has attended numerous training programmes in Occupational Health and Safety.
Majed Zreiqat, PhD, CSP
Professor in the Safety Sciences Department | Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
Majed Zreiqat, Professor in the Safety Sciences Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Occupational Safety and Health from West Virginia University (WVU) with a minor in Applied Statistics.
He has an M.S. in Safety Sciences from IUP and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Jordan. His areas of expertise are in Ergonomics and Human Factors. He has research interest in the general area of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
Dr. Marcin Nazaruk
Award-winning, global expert in Proactive Learning
Dr Marcin Nazaruk is an award-winning, global expert in proactive learning who helps companies to apply Learning from Normal Work in practice through training and consultancy to transform safety, rebuild trust and reduce risk.
Marcin is the lead author of the industry guides on the topic of Learning from Normal Work published by SPE, IOGP, or HPOG, and developed a range of practical tools and solutions for the front-line and senior leaders alike.
Dr Nazaruk's background combines psychology of safety, with two decades of practical application across multiple industries and all organizational levels, from the front line to the C-Suite.
Marise Johncilla
Principal Consultant | The Serenon Group Limited – OSH and Business
Continuity Consultancy
Marise Johncilla is a multi-potentialite, multi-hyphenate Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and Business Resilience professional with almost 20 years of experience. As the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Consultant at The Serenon Group Limited, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
She has a keen understanding of managing facilities, and ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulations. Her insights into facility insurance risk profiles contribute to robust risk management strategies. She is well-versed in ISO standards, particularly ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems), as a certified Lead Auditor, and ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management Systems) as a certified Senior Lead Implementer.
Marise has also embarked on a path that actively navigates the legal landscape related to OSH within Trinidad and Tobago.
She has also focused activities on crisis management,disaster resilience, and business continuity efforts within the region, especially due to the unique regional environmental vulnerabilities of Developing Island States.
Whether advising on risk mitigation, developing safety policies, or fostering a culture of well-being, Marise’s contributions leave a lasting impact on organizations and communities.
Donna Ramsammy
Senior Business Consultant - Strategic Communications, Ethical PR and Reputation Management
Donna Ramsammy is a Senior Business Consultant specializing in Strategic Communications, Ethical PR, and Reputation Management, with experience and expertise across a wide global geography which includes the Caribbean region, the United Kingdom, North and South America, Africa, Mid-East & South Asia. She works across several sectors which include industries such as Oil and Gas, Banking & Finance, and Manufacturing.
Donna’s work is primarily focused on representing international and regional business interests in the English-speaking Caribbean. Much of that work is in crisis and reputation management, executive coaching, and multi-faceted communications planning and delivery. She is co-founder of the Communicating For Influence Workshop Series© for senior-level leaders and has trained hundreds of executives in communicating in crisis and provided valuable counsel in safeguarding reputation during periods of volatility.
Donna is the former Head of Communications for the E&P at BP Global in the UK and was the Communications Adviser to the Executive Management Team. She is highly regarded for creating targeted, highly effective communications plans that advance organizational objectives, and has consulted in the area of business-to-government in strategic country relations.
As owner and Lead Consultant at Virtual Business Services, her innovative interventions in advocacy design and management have helped to expand company opportunities, garnering millions in additional revenue by rehabilitating business reputation and transforming corporate images into highly recognized and admired corporate citizens. Donna has extensive experience and knowledge in Sustainability and Social Responsibility and is Editor-in-Chief and producer of the widely-read, yearly publication, the CSR Review on region-wide corporate action in sustainability.
Her voluntary work has been in areas of enterprise and youth such as the Prince’s Youth Business Trust, United Way, the Mayaro Initiative for Private Enterprise Development (Grameen Model), the Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Youth Forum for the Environment. She is also a former Director of the American Chamber of Commerce (T&T) and works collaboratively with many chambers of industry including the Guyana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), where she serves on the Advocacy and Petroleum Committees.
Amy Lazzari
Chief Human Resource Officer | Ansa McAl
Amy Lazzari has held the role of ANSA McAL’s Chief Human Resource Officer since 2021. She leads the Groups culture and talent agenda, with a commitment to drive a space where resilience, inclusivity, bravery and responsible empowerment thrive. She gets excited by creating spaces for teams and individuals to be unstoppable, aligned to purpose and to freely challenge what’s wrong.
In her role, she is responsible for developing and executing the Group’s Human Resource strategic direction and policies, with oversight of the Employee and Industrial Relations functions. She has ten years’ service with the Group.
Her multinational experiences include the role of Senior HR Business Partner at British American Tobacco, with responsibility for the Caribbean regional HR and Talent agendas, and she also held multiple talent roles at AB InBev based out of Canada.
Amy hasserved on the Boards of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturer’s Association (TTMA) and Standards Distributors Ltd, and on the International Labour Organization (ILO) committee of Trinidad and Tobago.
She is a mother to two sons in Fatima College, loves the Carnival season, tries her hardest at long distance running, and enjoys anything outdoors.
Adrian Barran
Head of Crisis Management and Emergency Response – HSSE | The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC)
Adrian Barran is the current Head of Crisis Management and Emergency Response - HSSE at The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited with seventeen years of technical, professional and leadership experience in HSSE/CMER several sectors i.e. Oil and Gas, Petrochemical, Health, Regulatory and the Global Aviation Industry. His professional experience and expertise in the vast sectors include occupational health and safety, risk management, auditing, emergency response etc.
Bristow Group Incorporated - Global Aviation Company (Oil & Gas / Search &Rescue Ops) Heritage Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago HPCL The Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago PETROTRIN North-West Regional Health Authority NWRHA Occupational Safety and Health Agency OSHA Ministry of Health MOH.
Adrian possesses a MSc. Master’s Degree OSHE., BSc. Bachelor’s Degree HSE U.K., Environmental Management Degree and many other certifications. He is a Certified International Lead Crisis Manager PECB, Certified Management System Auditor CMSA and Senior Lead Auditor / Certified Trainer for ISO 45001, 22301, 22361 & 14001.
He is closely affiliated with several international membership bodies as a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health CM IOSH UK, a Certified Member - Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors – UK, and member / certified trainer with the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board in Canada.
Lisa-Marie Ramlal
Sustainability Manager | Proman Switzerland
As Sustainability Manager, Lisa-Marie supports the Managing Director of Sustainability and other leaders in delivery of Proman’s global sustainability agenda. In this capacity, she coordinates with various workgroups across the business on initiatives and projects focused on improving sustainability performance and reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint and exposure to ESG risk.
Currently based at Proman’s global headquarters in Wollerau, Switzerland, Lisa-Marie also works with the Corporate Development and Corporate Finance teams to support strategic business decisions which consider environmental impact and sustainability throughout our business value chain.
Lisa-Marie has ten (10) years’ experience in the energy sector, including nine (9) years within the Proman family of companies. She was instrumental in developing the Energy Policy and Sustainability Action Plan for Proman Trinidad and was also involved in the development and implementation of Process Safety, Environmental and Risk management systems for Proman’s petrochemical facilities in Trinidad and Tobago.
Lisa-Marie is currently pursuing the Chief Sustainability Officer professional certification programme with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Management from the University of the West Indies (U.W.I). She was also the recipient of the top student award of a Master of Business Administration degree in Sustainable Energy Management from the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, U.W.I.
Lisa-Marie also serves as Director of Business Development on the Board of the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), a Non-Governmental Organisation, which is dedicated to the development of industry professionals and assisting the local community to meet the challenges of a clean and sustainable future through energy awareness, education, training and professional certification.
Ravi Ragoonanan
Cybersecurity Manager | Proman Trinidad
With over twenty (20) years’ experience in information technology, including twelve (12) years within the Proman group of companies, Ravi Ragoonanan currently serves as Cybersecurity Manager at Proman Trinidad.
As Cybersecurity Manager, Ravi manages Proman’s global cybersecurity governance framework across the company’s global assets. In this role, he oversees the protection of both enterprise networks and operational technology (OT) infrastructures, including critical process control systems. Ravi also plays a key role in onboarding new assets, ensuring adherence to Proman’s cybersecurity standards.
Ravi holds a Master of Science degree (MS) in Cybersecurity from Isabel I University and a Master of Science degree (MS) in Information Systems Management from the University of Greenwich. He has earned several globally recognised professional certifications, including the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)'s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)'s Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and the Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cybersecurity Analysis and Evaluation certification from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Additionally, Ravi has undergone advanced training in managing information systems risk from Harvard Business School.
Ravi is dedicated to improving organisations’ awareness of OT and IT risk, cybersecurity and cyber resilience and regularly shares his expertise at local and regional conferences.
Ajay Korpal
Co-Founder & Head – Sustainability & Product Design | Sustainext
Ajay Korpal, Co-Founder of Sustainext, is dedicated to driving sustainability through practical and innovative solutions. With experience across multiple industries, he has focused on ESG strategies, GHG accounting, and integrating sustainability into business operations. As a recognized expert in GHG emissions and ESG reporting, Ajay is known for making sustainability accessible, helping companies align their business objectives with environmental and social goals.
At Sustainext, he focuses on product strategy and consulting, helping businesses integrate ESG reporting, GHG accounting, and sustainability practices. Ajay also oversees the consulting arm, working directly with clients to implement effective sustainability strategies.
He leverages design thinking to tackle complex sustainability challenges, using creative approaches to develop impactful, future-oriented solutions. As a leader at Sustainext, Ajay works closely with teams and clients to foster a culture of sustainability and responsible growth.
Giselle Thompson
VP Corporate Operations | bpTT
Giselle Thompson is the Vice President Corporate Operations for BP Trinidad and Tobago. Giselle is responsible for the management of the company’s external facing strategy and reputation. This includes the management of the company’s internal and external communications, delivery of the company’s sustainability strategy and overseeing all interactions between BPTT and external stakeholders including the government, business partners, civil society groups and the community. In addition to her substantive role, Giselle is also the senior leadership champion for delivery of the company’s NetZero strategy ensuring the efficient integration of cross functional activites to deliver the company’s emission reduction goals and also supporting industry and country efforts to successfully navigate the energy transition.
Giselle first joined BPTT in 2006 as Corporate Brand Manager and was promoted to VP Communications and External Affairs in 2007 and then to VP Corporate Operations in 2013.
Prior to joining BPTT, Giselle spent eight years in the pharmaceutical industry working with GlaxoSmithKline where she held senior marketing positions in their Caribbean and Central American operations.
Giselle holds an MBA from the Univesity of Cumbria UK and an honours degree in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies and was awarded their distinguished alumni award in 2014.
In addition to her duties at BPTT she is member of the boards of, Ansa Bank, the Heroes Foundation, the Mayaro Initiative for Private Enterprise Development, AmCham, the Maple Leaf International School.
Mark Thomas
Development Coordination Officer (Partnerships and Development Finance) | United Nations Resident Coordinator Office for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten.
Mark Thomas is the Development Coordination Officer (Partnerships and Development Finance) in the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten. His duties at the UN include coordination of partnerships, both amongst UN agencies and between the United Nations and development actors; and participating in resource and finance mobilization for acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals. He holds a Distinction-grade Master of Sciences degree in Communication from Imperial College London and a PhD in Physiology from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland).
Aaron Van Alstine
Senior Program Manager for Climate Resilience | Pan American Development Foundation (PADF)
Aaron Van Alstine is the Senior Program Manager for Climate Resilience at the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), a Washington, DC-based non-profit focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. With over 20 years of experience in the region, Aaron has been instrumental in advancing climate and disaster resilience, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development, working with diverse stakeholders to drive meaningful change.
Currently, Aaron is Acting Deputy Chief of Party on a USAID-funded program that leverages the business interests and corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments of tourism actors to enhance ecosystem management, biodiversity, and climate adaptation in coastal marine areas. This initiative spans 13 countries in the Caribbean, linking communities and authorities to sustainable finance, grants, and CSR funds. The program aims to increase investments in marine area management, improve solid waste management, and promote sustainable fisheries. Before joining PADF, Aaron supported initiatives in Central and South America to improve labor conditions for low-income workers, deliver social services for communities affected by armed conflict, and facilitate the reintegration of ex-combatants.
Aaron is a strong advocate for community engagement, cross-sector collaboration, and the use of technology to help communities understand and mitigate the risks of climate change, extreme hazards, and environmental degradation. He holds a Master’s Degree in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Elisa Mariel Trujillo Leyva
Director General | ARISE MX
Elisa Mariel Trujillo Leyva, Project Manager Of Mexican nationality, Elisa is an Architect with a specialty in Sustainable Architectural Design from the Tec de Monterrey (México), Master of Science in Infrastructure Planning by the University of Stuttgart (Germany), has completed the Disaster Risk Reduction and Local Sustainable Development program at the ITCILO (Italy) and recently concluded the International SPHERE Program with CADENA A.C. (Mexico), a one-year training for Humanitarian Assistance. Elisa has collaborated with different international organizations in Mexico, Spain, and Germany, performing positions as a consultant, research assistant, academic coordinator, and professor. She has also participated in multiple social projects for Mexico. She specializes in disaster resilience, urban development, climate change, and their relationship with poverty eradication. Elisa has participated in different national networks related to sustainable development, being a partner of Tierra Prima, a social entrepreneurship group to reduce environmental impact. She was an Observer of the United Nations Youth Assembly in 2017 with the Mexican Delegation. Currently, she serves as National Director of the ARISE MX Network, and as General Director of the National Center for Epidemiological Emergencies and Disasters (CENACED A.C.), representative of the Connecting Business Initiative in Mexico, leader of the multi-sector coordination model for disaster risk management Unidos por Ellxs where more than 180 institutions in Mexico collaborate to build a more resilient and sustainable country
Revan Teelucksingh
President | Sewa International TT
Revan Teelucksingh is the Director of Laresa Technologies Services Ltd.
A seasoned technology expert with 15 years of experience driving innovation in the retail, hospitality, and security sectors. Renowned for his expertise in ICT integration and management of complex systems, Revan has established himself as a trusted leader in the industry.
Complementing his professional pursuits, Revan has dedicated himself to community service for over 23 years. As the founding President of Sewa International TT, he has been instrumental in shaping the organization's mission and vision since its inception in 2013. Under his leadership, Sewa International TT has made a profound impact in the community, fostering positive change and promoting social welfare.