Thirty secondary school students had the opportunity to engage with female leaders in the maritime and tourism industries at a panel discussion hosted by Saint Lucia Cruise Port on Thursday, in commemoration of International Women’s Day.
Held at the Bel Jou Hotel under the theme Accelerate Action, the event featured influential women in leadership, including Chief Operating Officer of Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, Grace Parkinson; Chief Executive Officer of the Community Tourism Agency, Dahlia Guard; Senior Manager of Administration and Leasing at Saint Lucia Cruise Port, Susanna Isaac; and Chief Financial Officer at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Anya Whitfield.
The discussion covered key issues, including workplace gender equality, career prospects in tourism and maritime industries, and the significance of personal branding.
Panelists offered students firsthand advice on overcoming challenges and achieving success, based on the experiences from their diverse and extensive careers.
The students asked questions, shared their personal goals and discussed ways to foster gender equality at school and in the workplace.
Commenting on the event, Marketing and Communications Manager of Saint Lucia Cruise Port, Racquel Preville, said: “We are proud to host this event geared specifically towards our young women. It is our mandate at Saint Lucia Cruise Port to create opportunities between persons within the tourism and maritime industry and the wider public, especially our youth.”
“We hope today will be the first of many similar events as we work collaboratively with community partners to create a positive impact on the next generation of female leaders,” she added.
The participating students came from secondary schools within the Castries basin, including Bocage Secondary School, Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, Entrepot Secondary School, Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School, Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School and the Patricia D James Secondary School.
