YCLA RECIPIENT, KELLIE MCGEE IS “RETURNING THE GIFT OF MENTORSHIP”

George Town, 17 November, 2015 – Following in the footsteps of her predecessor, YCLA 2015 recipient Kellie McGee is now embarking on a year of ambassadorship and mentoring during which she will share her positive and inspiring messages with young people across the Cayman Islands.

Kadi Merren-Pentney, YCLA 2014 recipient, spoke to more than 5,000 students during her tenure, demonstrating that the Award is both an honour and a responsibility as the recipient serves as a role model for the youth of Cayman.

Kellie McGee was selected as the YCLA 2015 recipient at the October 17 Awards ceremony, which marked the 15-year anniversary of the programme. She has already begun booking up her calendar with speaking engagements and events where she will address children and students in all three Islands.

Among her first engagements, Kellie McGee spoke to 430 students at Red Bay Primary School during their recent Reading Week activities, and addressed another 625 students at Sir John A. Cumber Primary School on November 13. She has made many media appearances and was a recent guest on the popular radio show “Youth Flex.”

“Returning the Gift of Mentorship”

Kellie McGee believes in the importance of mentoring. Upon accepting the Young Caymanian Leadership Award, she said, “To me, there is nothing more humbling than to be given the gift of being a YCLA recipient, to be able to return the gift of mentorship to the youth of Cayman. I am a 120% believer that there is a world of potential inside each and every single one of our youth regardless of family circumstance, background, or disability. Sometimes it simply takes that person, that mentor, to help someone realise their potential, and I can’t wait for the journey over the next year.”

An inspiring story with a global twist

After graduating from St. Ignatius Catholic School, Kellie McGee received her International Baccalaureate diploma from United World College of Southern Africa in Swaziland in 2006, and went on to obtain a BSc (Hons) in Medical Sciences from the University of Edinburgh, and a Masters in International Health Management from Imperial College London Business School.

Today, she is an Associate in Pharmaceutical Operations with Ironshore Pharmaceuticals and Development, Inc. and a consultant to the World Health Organisation. She recently co-founded a health care consulting venture called Healthy Futures Ltd. which she started with her own mentor, who had a profound impact on her life.

Kellie McGee is International Service Chair for 52 Rotaract Clubs around the Caribbean, and is also Service Director for Rotaract Blue International. She is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Cayman, in which her classmates elected her as valedictorian. Kellie McGee has been involved in numerous fundraising efforts for charities, and is a former Key Club Lieutenant Governor for the Cayman Islands.

The YCLA Facebook page will post regular video updates by and about Kellie McGee throughout her exciting year.

For speaking engagements

To book a speaking engagement with Kellie McGee, please contact Tara Godfrey, Young Caymanian Leaders Foundation Coordinator, by emailing [email protected].

YCLA 2015 Sponsors

The Foundation thanks this year’s sponsors, including Dart, PricewaterhouseCoopers; CNB; KPMG; Pinnacle Media; Progressive Distributors; Baraud International; Scotiabank; Celebrations; The Ritz Carlton; and the Tibbetts Family Foundation (JEM).

About YCLA

Celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year, the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards programme has as its mission to identify, celebrate and honour outstanding young leaders in the community who, through their actions, behaviour and leadership, serve as role models for the youth of Cayman.

Candidates are nominated each year from members of the public and are open to any Caymanian between the ages of 20 and 35.