The UWI Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business hosted the “Women in Leadership Conference” on July 9, 2021. The conference, themed "Women Challenging and Changing the World" this year, featured regional and international speakers aimed at preparing women for the new calibre of leadership required for the changing world. The conference promised to help attendees find the courage to face volatility, uncertainty, and complexity, while building connections with some of the most influential women in the Caribbean.
The online event allowed the attendees to network with more than 200 female leaders from across the Caribbean, and the US and UK. The virtual format allowed the audience reach to expand into new territories and increase the opportunities for building business relationships.
The conference was started by Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley, who spoke about the development of the Caribbean. While she recalled great Caribbean achievements, Prime Minister Mottley reminded attendees that “amongst the undeniable iconic names associated with the heyday of Caribbean development, not a single one was a woman”. She said that the women of the Caribbean were present and made important contributions, but they were not recognised or as celebrated as their male counterparts.
The other conference speakers also addressed this issue, along with others faced by women. Eva Mitchell, CEO of The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange Commission, shared anecdotes from her life, including how her late mother’s tenacity and resourcefulness to increase the household income became a major influence on who she would become. Ms Mitchell shared how she overcame negative feedback from previous managers, who told her that she would never become a leader, by improving her skills and becoming exceptional in completing tasks. Her leadership potential could not be ignored.
Ingrid Riley, Founder and CEO of SiliconCaribe and Rebel Grrl Media also shared her experiences, actionable steps, and insights for Caribbean women that want to strengthen their leadership skills.
“Learn to say no and mean it, but also learn how to ask for help and receive it gracefully,” she said.
Ms Riley provided great insight into her own success by explaining that, “The key to where I am today is about obeying my instincts, following my curiosity, and doing what I love naturally.”
Conference attendees benefitted from the experienced leadership of Ingrid Lashley, Chairman of Bourse Securities Group and National Enterprises Limited. She shared her challenges as a leader and then challenged the attendees to be super leaders themselves.
“A Super Leader is characterised by her ability to get things done at every level,” said Ms Lashley. While she emphasised the varying unstated expectations of the roles of men against those of women at work (and even in the home), Ms Lashley confronted all the females present with their obligation to be super leaders in all areas of their lives.
The international speakers at the conference came from the United Kingdom. Helen Gordon, Chief Executive of Science Council UK, spoke on the topic of “Leading to Galvanise Energy and Engagement”. As the lone male on the agenda for the day, John Mark Williams, CEO of the Institute of Leadership and Management, spoke on “Leading with Agility: A Women’s Advantage”. Mr Williams argued that agility is the ability to predict and prepare. Both speakers touched on the need for collaboration and teamwork for leadership to be successful.
“Working together as a community can make change happen,” said Ms Gordon.
For more information on The UWI Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business, visit https://lokjackgsb.edu.tt/.
