8th AMCHAM T&T / IDB Women in Leadership Mentorship Programme
LINKAGE Q4 (2025) - HSSE 360: INNOVATION FOR RESILIENCEThe American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) is urging companies to invest more deliberately in mentorship for women, positioning it as a strategic imperative. The call was made at the Launch Ceremony of the 8th Annual AMCHAM T&T and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Women in Leadership Mentorship Programme (WILMP), held virtually on November 6th, 2025.Delivering the Opening Remarks, Anna Henderson, President of AMCHAM T&T, emphasised the need for leaders to view mentorship as core to organisational success. She stated that “we must all invest in mentorship – not as a ‘nice-to-have,’ but as a strategic imperative. When we create mentorship programmes within our organisations, we are not only developing talent—we are dismantling barriers.” Henderson further noted that mentorship plays a critical role in shifting workplace culture, adding that “we are challenging our own biases. And we are building a future where gender equity is not aspirational, but operational.”The 2025 programme marked a significant milestone, recording its highest participation to date, with 87 mentees and 68 mentors. This strong response reflects growing recognition of mentorship as a key driver of leadership development, professional growth, and gender equity in the workplace.Reflecting on the programme’s purpose, Henderson explained that WILMP was created to address the persistent barriers women face in advancing to senior leadership roles. She highlighted the broader impact of mentorship, noting that “what mentorship also does – beautifully – is shift the narrative from obstacles to opportunity. It transforms challenge into motivation. Even when systems are slow to change, we can still build networks of support that help each other rise.” She also mentioned the reciprocal value of the mentoring relationship, stating that “while the mentor offers wisdom and guidance, the mentee brings fresh perspectives. Both grow through the relationship.”Delivering the Partner Remarks, Terry-Ann Segree-Brown, Chief of Operations at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), reaffirmed the IDB’s commitment to the programme, noting that “IDB’s ongoing support for this mentorship initiative is rooted in our commitment to fostering inclusive leadership that empowers women to reach their full potential.” For the past seven years, the IDB has witnessed the transformative power of mentoring relationships; how they create lasting connections that strengthen the fabric of our region.”The Feature Address was delivered by Greer Quan, Group Chief Operating Officer and President of Guardian Shared Services Limited and Vice President of AMCHAM T&T, who encouraged participants to approach leadership with authenticity and humanity. She reminded mentors and mentees that “leadership is not about perfection; it’s about presence, about showing up, even when you’re tired, even when you’re scared, even when you’re still figuring it out.” Quan emphasized the importance of values-driven leadership, urging participants to “stay human, curious and kind, especially when you have power. Lead with grit, because resilience will carry you when confidence wavers.” She added that “compassion is not weakness—it is wisdom,” and called on leaders to “give generously of your time, give generously of your lessons, and give generously of your belief in others. People are always looking on. So, show up as the kind of leader that they will be proud to emulate – one whose courage, authenticity, and kindness define the next generation of leadership.”The 2025/2026 Women in Leadership Mentorship Programme will run for six months, pairing female professionals from diverse industries with experienced mentors from both the public and private sectors. Through structured engagement, participants will focus on setting clear professional goals and advancing their personal growth.Since its inception, the programme has built a growing community of women leaders across industries, fostering empowerment to drive meaningful change in Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership landscape.
The Feature Address was delivered by Greer Quan, Group Chief Operating Officer and President of Guardian Shared Services Limited and Vice President of AMCHAM T&T, who encouraged participants to approach leadership with authenticity and humanity. She reminded mentors and mentees that “leadership is not about perfection; it’s about presence, about showing up, even when you’re tired, even when you’re scared, even when you’re still figuring it out.” Quan emphasized the importance of values-driven leadership, urging participants to “stay human, curious and kind, especially when you have power. Lead with grit, because resilience will carry you when confidence wavers.” She added that “compassion is not weakness—it is wisdom,” and called on leaders to “give generously of your time, give generously of your lessons, and give generously of your belief in others. People are always looking on. So, show up as the kind of leader that they will be proud to emulate – one whose courage, authenticity, and kindness define the next generation of leadership.”