Young Caymanian Leaders Foundation announces date for 15-year anniversary YCLA event

“New Generation of Leaders” at the helm

George Town, 13 May, 2015 – The Young Caymanian Leaders Foundation today announces the date for its 2015 YCLA event, which will mark the 15-year anniversary of the awards programme. The event will take place on Saturday October 17th, 2015 once again at the Ritz Carlton.

The YCLA is a programme of the Foundation, which in recent years has expanded its activities, notably with the Young Caymanian Speakers Bureau, training seminars, and online initiatives. In addition, the YCLA has been more active on a year-round basis, spreading its positive messages to the youth and becoming more involved in the broader community. With these developments, more help was needed by both organisations, and several outstanding young leaders have stepped up to assist, in keeping with the theme of the most recent YCLA Awards celebration, “A New Generation of Leaders.”

New members have joined the Honorary Board of the YCLA and the Board of Directors of the Foundation. This represents a significant strengthening of both organisations that will ensure a deeper reach into the community and a closer relationship with young leaders who can assist not only in acting as role models for the youth, but also working to develop young leaders for the future.

New YCLA Honorary Board Members

The YCLA has welcomed six new members to its Honorary Board. Five are YCLA Alumni, including former Award recipients Collin Anglin (2010); Garth Arch (2012) and Jonathan Tibbetts (2006); and YCLA Finalist (2002) Tasha Ebanks-Garcia. The sixth new Board member is Craig Smith, who is employed by PwC, a major sponsor.

Roy McTaggert, Chairman of the YCLA Honorary Board, says, “We are delighted to welcome these young leaders to the YCLA Board, and thank them for their support and participation. They will help us chart a way forward for the future, and bring new insight and additional support to the programme. We also thank those Board members who have been with us for all these years and without whom we would not have come this far. All are very important to what the YCLA has achieved so far and to what we will do going forward.”

New Foundation Director Named
Chris Duggan, a finalist in the 2009 Young Caymanian Leadership Awards, and member of the Young Caymanian Speakers Bureau, joins the Foundation Board to assist in a leadership role.

Jackie Hansen, Founding Director of the YCLF, says, “Chris is part of the ‘New Generation of Leaders’ that we are proud to have on board. He will provide vital leadership and direction at the Foundation level as we work together to chart a path forward, develop our programmes and deepen our relationships in the community. We thank Chris and the new YCLA Board members for agreeing to serve, and for believing in our youth. Thanks also to those who have served until now. You have made this a dynamic programme, with an important role to play in our community.”

The Foundation also has a new coordinator, Tara Godfrey, who can be reached on 516-1111.

YCLA Recipient Kadi Merren-Pentney ‘On Tour” in Cayman Speaking Engagements

The current YCLA recipient, Kadi Merren-Pentney, has been very active in her tour of speaking engagements and appearances at school events and youth clubs. She has already addressed more than 2,500 students, and has been very warmly received by the community. Kadi is making herself available for more such opportunities.

Interested parties can book Kadi by visiting the YCLA website: www.ycla.ky or by calling 516-1111. Visitors to the YCLA Facebook page can see a video update from Kadi in the series “Follow the Leader.”

The Foundation encourages educators, churches and civic clubs to take advantage of Kadi’s willingness to share her time, tell her personal story and deliver her inspirational message to Cayman’s young people.

YCLA Sponsors

Support for the YCLA includes loyal sponsors who have been with the programme for years, and new sponsors. Current Major sponsors are IAMCO, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Logic and Dart. Returning sponsors include Progressive Distributors; Baraud International; KPMG; Scotiabank; Celebrations and The Ritz Carlton. New sponsors for the current year are: Appleby (Cayman) Ltd.; Greenlight RE; Deloitte&Touche and The WaterColours Limited.

IMAGE: 2012 YCLA Finalists youngcaymanianleadershipawards.blogspot.com