Reason for wanting to serve:

My interest is in the staff of the Credit Union – I believe that if our staff morale is… and they are made to feel valuable then the members would have no need to go elsewhere to have their financial needs met.  The other financial institutions would have to play catch up with the Credit Union.

Candidate’s Bio

I started my working career at the age of eighteen in a law office where I was taught how to prepare and draft legal documents.

While working in the day I attended the Barbados Community College where I graduated with my secretarial credentials.  I also completed two A levels at the Barbados Community College, English and Law. Then I applied to the University of the West Indies and was accepted into the LLB programme in the Law Faculty at the Cave Hill Campus.

To broaden my horizons I worked in the retail sector at Brydens under Mr. Eric Smith.  I did not stay in the retail sector as I love working in the legal field. I worked with the University of the West Indies external programme with Women In Development (WAND) under Mrs. Peggy Antrobus.

I worked with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for a short while then I was offered apposition with United Nations Development Project (UNDP) for three years under Mrs. Maureen Crane-Scott, in which Judge, Crown Counsels, Attorneys and Senior Police Officers were to be trained in seizers and forfeiture of properties obtained in illegal activity. This project brought trainers from Australia, Canada, England, U.S.A, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada, Guyana, Belize and Barbados.  The programme was conducted in all these islands and I travelled to these countries doing the administrative work.

During 1990- 1993 I started a programme called Training for Life for those children about to leave school.  It prepared them for the world of work.  It taught them how to conduct themselves in a work environment, how to dress for work and other occasions.  They were taught the protocol for dinning out and how to use the cutlery and crockery set before them.  They were taught the correct way to apply their make-up and how to dress to look elegant at all times. These programmes were held on Saturdays and the trainers were brought in from the relevant areas.  The clothes were secured from Cave Shepherd & Company

In August 1995 I secured a position with the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited as their first employee in their Legal Department and to source the precedents needed for the department to be up and running.

While employed by the Credit Union I was successful in obtaining my Para Legal Certificate from the Barbados Community College and my Certificate in Supervisory training from Sagicor School of Business at the University of the West Indies and that was just some of the training which I received, the Credit Union invested in me in so many areas and my training.  I would want that for all the staff members be given the opportunities that I had been given.  It made me feel that I belonged there.

I was the Shop Steward for the unionised members of staff of the Credit Union and I held the position of President for over ten years up until I retired.

Reason for wanting to serve:

I am motivated in my pursuit of personal growth and development. If selected for this position, an opportunity will be created to transfer these acquired skills and knowledge to promote the objectives of the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited (BPWCCUL).

Candidate’s Bio

In both my personal and professional life, I have placed great importance on accountability, responsibility and integrity of my actions and how I conduct business.  As a member of this Credit Union for many years and a member of the BPWCCUL Reps Committee (where I served for almost 10 years), I have seen the value and benefits this organisation has added to the lives of its members and the community.  I have served as Vice President and Secretary on various Clubs and Associations, where my ability to lead, organize and manage has aided in the achievement of the goals and objectives of these organizations.

My commitment goes further as I have served as an Ambassador for the 10th Cycle of the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation’s (BEF) $20 Challenge and won Ambassador of the Year 2023.  This role provided me with the opportunity to guide and mentor the youth at the Secondary School level with their business ideas, marketing techniques and money management.  This partnership with the BPWCCUL and BEF has revitalized the importance of our youth and the role they play in our development as a Credit Union and in turn, this country.  I believe these values and attributes I possess, make me a viable candidate and potential Director of the Board for the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-op Credit Union Limited.

Reason for wanting to serve:

Serving on the BPWCCUL, Board of Directors allows me to give back to my community, make a difference in people’s live, and help shape the Credit Union’s direction.

Candidate’s Bio

Throughout my credit union life, I have gained some financial knowledge of Credit Unions operations in Barbados, and now bring with it my knowledge of Human Resource Management, labour laws and industrial relations.  I am sure it will be a rewarding experience, allowing me to develop new skills, learn more about the financial industry, and work with other dedicated individuals who share my commitment to the credit union’s mission, where we belong.

Reason for wanting to serve:

I consider that I have the skills & competent ability to contribute to guiding this organisation’s strategic direction positively.  My over 23 years in the Information, Communications & Technology field, coupled with my in-depth knowledge of project management & implementing systems; in a leadership role provides a solid foundation to assist in leading and supporting the development of the Credit Union.

Candidate’s Bio

Nicola Callender is Chief Digital Technology Officer(ag) in the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology with responsibility for guiding the design, development and implementation of ICT policies, strategies, legislative, regulatory and enforcement frameworks, and driving Government’s digital transformation agenda.

She has over twenty years experience in implementing and supporting IT systems, change management coordination and project management. This is buttressed by a BSc in Computer Science and Accounting, a post graduate qualification in Public Service Management and studies in Project Management, Financial Management, and extensive training in Cyber Security.

As Director, Information Systems in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs- Treasury Department for the last nine years, Nicola has been responsible for the GOB’s Human Resources, Payroll, Debt Management, Financial & Supplies Management IT Systems.  In Oct 2020 a few months into the covid era, Nicola and her team successfully implemented a new cloud based Financial and Supplies Management System for Central Government and key state-owned enterprises.  Nicola served as Project Manager for this operation.

Nicola is not all work.  She is a very active member of the Lions Club, where she is currently serving as Multiple District Chairman for the Caribbean youth arm – the Leos.  She can be often found giving back to the community through projects like Feeding of the homeless, breakfast programs at primary schools, health clinics etc. as she serves with her Lions Club.

Nicola is the proud mother of a charming young gentleman Shaquille.

Reason for wanting to serve:

I embrace the culture of “people helping people”.  Volunteering for the Supervisory Committee helps me to give back to the community that helped me.  It would be honour to help improve the financial and social well being of members.

Candidate’s Bio

Tanya loves to spend quality time with her family and friends.  If she is not with them, she can be found relaxing with a good book or gardening.

Ms. Chase a member of the Credit Union for over 20 years, holds a BSc. Management (Hons.) from The University of the West Indies.  She has over thirteen years experience in the area of Business Management and has continued her professional development with training in the following areas:

Compliance and Risk; Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Crimes; Customer Service; Safety & Health at Work

Tanya is a Certified Credit Union Volunteer.  She also completed the Introduction to the Supervisory Committee course with the Barbados Co-operative Credit Union League and previously served on the Supervisory Committee from 2012-2017.  She is familiar with the Financial Services Commission Guidelines; The Co-operatives Societies Act and the By-Laws of the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Ltd.  She therefore has an understanding of the responsibilities and duties of the Supervisory Committee.

Reason for wanting to serve:

Keen interest in promoting and developing skills of youth and females in sustainable, self supporting entrepreneurial engagement.

Candidate’s Bio

I have been a member of the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited for over twenty year and am indeed proud to be a member of this noble financial institution.

As a wife and mother of three sons, I have served in various volunteer capacities including the Parent Teachers Association of my sons’ respective schools and the St. Joseph Parish Independence Committee, in various roles.  During my tenure with the Parish Independence Committee, I served in the capacity of Chairperson, Project Manager and Attendant, leading the committee to two successive wins in 2012 and 2013.

I have a firm belief in the value of education and am committed to the improvement and transformation of our educational product.  In my current position of Assistant Registrar at the Barbados Community College, I serve on many committees including the Academic Programmes Planning and Review Committee and our 55th Anniversary Committee.

I have a keen interest in offering my service to the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited as I firmly believe that I can make significant contribution to the governance of this institution while empowering our citizens with the knowledge of the value Credit Union membership.