From Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce

46 mentees met with their mentors for the first time at the Mentoring Cayman Reception at
the Triple C School on Wednesday 13 November. The Mentoring Cayman programme,
initiated by the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Youth, Sports,
Culture & Heritage, aims to provide Year 11 students with influential mentors from the
business community.

Mentee, mentor and parents: (L-r) Jackson Rocky Pearson, Manuel Thomaz, Angelica and Jon Pearson

“Today, we celebrate a programme that has changed lives and futures since 2002,” said
Chamber President Joanne Lawson. “The Mentoring Cayman Programme, brought to life by
the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, has a profound legacy that’s grown year by
year. It helps students unlock their potential, discover their strengths, and chart a path to a
rewarding future.

L-R Larianny Genao (mentee), Juan Genao (father) and Melina Marcellini (mentor

“This year, the programme takes on even greater significance as it plays a central role in the
Chamber’s “Building a Future Ready Workforce” pillar, an essential part of its three-year
advocacy plan.”

Mentoring Cayman isn’t a work-shadow programme – it’s much more. It equips young
people to make difficult decisions at a crucial time of their lives without locking them into a
career pathway. Mentors are selected by reference to a broad spectrum of shared interests
– what they like and dislike – rather than just by career.

Dr. Nicole Fowlie Cosablla Windsor, Jason Windsor

Rocky’s mentor Manuel Thomaz, General Manager of Cayman Water. likes giving back to
the community by imparting his knowledge and experience to the next generation: “I am
now mentoring this young man here, who goes by the name of ‘Rocky’– we are just getting
to know each other

Mentor, mentee and parents at the Mentoring Cayman Opening Reception

Mentee Jackson Rocky Pearson, 15 is passionate about photography. But he’s leaving his
career options open. “I think it would be cool to get the experience and figure out different
things – maybe I want to go into photography – but then again, maybe I want to go into
something else,” he said.

The Mentoring Cayman Opening Reception

Rocky’s father, Jon Pearson was pleased with the programme: “I’m looking forward to him
being mentored in the business community, so he can see what’s out there and how to
conduct himself as a man in the working world.”

Chamber President, Joanne Lawson

Another mentor, Melina Marcellini, is the Senior Sales Manager at the Mariott Hotel. “I want
to share the experience that I got from my mentors to someone else and be a positive
experience for them,” she said.

Mentees met with mentors for the first time at the Mentoring Cayman Opening Reception.

Her mentee, Larianny Genao wants to find out as much as she can about her chosen field
of business administration, and knows Melina will be able to help.

Mentor, mentee and parents at the Mentoring Cayman Opening Reception

Sharing her reasons for joining Mentoring Cayman for the first time, IDr. Nicole Fowlie a
professional Chiropractor, said: “I had multiple mentors back in Canada and I found them
to be indispensable.”

Mentor, mentee and parents at the Mentoring Cayman Opening Reception

“If they’re interested in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, massage, or anything sports
related, I can offer that. If not, I can connect them to anything that they are interested in. I
can impart a love for education, a love for learning, and the ability to not be afraid of making
mistakes.”

Her mentee, Cosablla Windsor believes this programme will provide many unique
opportunities she wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else in Cayman: “I’m excited to meet
someone who is very experienced within their field of work. I’m Interested in sports, and
sport sciences,” she said.