#GiveToGain: Setting the Tone for Leadership, Impact and Inclusion
LINKAGE Q1 (2026) - REVITALISATION & TRANSFORMATIONon March 13, 2026, over 650 attendees gathered at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, for AMCHAM T&T’s 12th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference—the largest in its history and notably, one that welcomed its highest number of male participants, with more than 50 men in attendance.Held under the theme #GiveToGain, the Conference opened with powerful remarks that set the tone for a day of bold conversation, reflection and action—anchored in a central idea: that meaningful progress requires intentional investment in people.
“This is not a talent issue. It is a structural issue,”In her Opening Remarks, AMCHAM T&T President Anna Henderson delivered a compelling message that reframed women’s advancement not as a social issue, but as an economic imperative. Her address challenged traditional thinking, highlighting that while women are present across industries, they remain underrepresented in decision-making spaces. She called for systemic change to expand access to leadership, capital and opportunity.
Central to her message was the shift from mentorship to sponsorship—an intentional act of advocacy. As she noted: “A mentor advises you, but a sponsor advocates for you when you are not in the room.”Henderson underscored that unlocking the full potential of women is essential to national development, reinforcing that future growth will depend on how effectively societies leverage all available talent.“We need more companies today to move beyond conversation and commit to actively opening doors, championing talent, and creating clear pathways for women to step into leadership and decision-making roles. When leaders give advocacy, organisations gain stronger succession, innovation, and performance.”Henderson also brought the #GiveToGain theme into sharp focus by addressing a critical but often unspoken dimension of leadership—the importance of women confidently claiming the value of their contributions. She urged attendees to reject the notion that ambition should be muted or apologised for. “Women should never feel embarrassed or afraid to proudly state what they hope to gain from the sacrifices they make. To want growth is valid. To want leadership is valid. To want opportunity, stability, fulfillment is valid.”She reinforced that giving—whether through time, effort, or leadership—should not come at the expense of visibility or advancement. “Giving should never require disappearing. When women give, they are investing—and every investment deserves a return.”Encouraging boldness and self-advocacy, she left the audience with a powerful call to action: “If you take away just one message from this conference, let it be this: never be afraid to speak up for what you know you deserve after you have given so much to so many. Ask for what you want. Be strategic, but go for it. And if in doubt, ask yourself—would my male colleague hesitate like this?”From Commitment to Action: A Sponsor’s Perspective
Delivering the Sponsor Remarks, Randal Cezair, Regional Director, Corporate and Commercial Banking at Scotiabank, reinforced the importance of sustained commitment to advancing women in leadership.As the Platinum Sponsor of the Women’s Leadership Conference for the past 12 years, Scotiabank’s longstanding partnership reflects more than support—it signals a deep, institutional commitment to inclusion, leadership development, and equitable opportunity.In his remarks, Cezair highlighted Scotiabank’s ongoing efforts to build diverse leadership pipelines and create environments where women can thrive. He spoke to the organisation’s progress in advancing women into senior leadership roles, as well as its focus on talent development and inclusive workplace policies.Importantly, he emphasised that progress is not accidental—it is the result of deliberate action, accountability and sustained investment. His message echoed the spirit of the Conference theme: that organisations must actively “give” opportunity and advocacy in order to “gain” long-term success.He also underscored the role of corporate leadership in shaping culture, noting that creating inclusive environments requires both intention and consistency across all levels of an organisation.From Presence to PowerThe Opening Ceremony also highlighted the importance of moving beyond representation to real influence. Equally important was the call for allyship. The strong presence of men at this year’s Conference signalled a meaningful shift—recognising that advancing gender equity is a shared responsibility.A Conference That Continues to EvolveNow in its 12th year, the Women’s Leadership Conference continues to grow—not only in size, but in relevance and impact. WLC 2026 reflected a broader evolution in the conversation—one that moves beyond awareness toward action and accountability.As highlighted in the Opening Remarks, the focus is no longer simply on representation, but on “the conditions that determine how safely, confidently, and sustainably women can lead.”WLC 2026 did more than launch a conference—it issued a challenge.To organisations: to move beyond conversation and take intentional action.To leaders: to advocate, sponsor, and create pathways.And to all stakeholders: to recognise that progress is not achieved in isolation, but through collective effort.Because in the spirit of #GiveToGain, when we invest in others, we don’t just uplift individuals—we strengthen the future.
