Application, Schedule and Information

Amy Watkins 

Director of Retail Sales and Business Development, Crosby Foods

Amy Watkins is a passionate business leader who thrives on building strong relationships and uncovering new opportunities for growth. As Director of Retail Sales and Business Development at Crosby Foods, she works closely with retailers and co-manufacturers across Canada to bring high-quality, trusted products to market. She’s known for her collaborative approach, her eye for innovation, and her commitment to creating real value for partners and customers alike.

Before joining Crosby Foods, Amy held a senior role at TNG, where she led a national team and supported some of the company’s largest clients. Her strategic mindset and people-first leadership helped drive growth and deliver meaningful results.

Amy is also a strong advocate for women in leadership and actively mentors’ others in the industry. She’s deeply involved in her community, lending her time to organizations like The War Amps, The Air Cadets, and The Lions Club. In 2023, she served as Group Chair for the Manitoba study group during CSC2023—a role she describes as a transformational experience that expanded her global perspective and personal growth.

When she’s not working or volunteering, you’ll find Amy outdoors, running trails, exploring new places, or relaxing with a good book. Her greatest joy is time spent with her two boys and two stepdaughters—cheering them on and watching them grow.

Angela White

Senior Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment

Angela White is Senior Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment with leadership responsibility for the Corporate EDI center of expertise, advancing the organization’s commitment to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace culture.

Angela and her team collaborate with key stakeholders taking a four pronged approach to achieve EDI commitments, increasing enterprise-wide accountability for integrating EDI into business priorities and KPIs; implementing inclusive policies and practices; empowering employee inclusion groups with the resources to drive engagement and building strategic  partnerships with community, industry experts and advisors, sharing insight and perspective, and strengthening the organization’s role as an EDI thought leader.

Prior to this role, over her 18-year career with RBC, Angela held multiple sales leadership and strategy positions, responsible for the design and operational effectiveness of sales and service teams and for implementing effective diversity strategies and programs that interrupt bias, elevate cultural competency, and cultivate belonging.

In support of her strong commitment to inclusion, Angela is an active EDI advisor, consultant, and mentor, giving of her time to empower and prepare under-represented youth to navigate their careers.

Agapi Gessesse 

Agapi Gessesse is a transformative leader and strategist dedicated to driving social impact, fostering leadership excellence, and championing innovation. Shaped by the resilience of her refugee parents and the strength of her single mother, Agapi has committed her career to creating sustainable solutions and empowering future leaders across diverse sectors.

As the Executive Director of the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals, Agapi has expanded the organization’s impact to support Black youth in employment and skill-building, scaling CEE’s reach and influence across North America. She is also the Founder of Lehizibu Strategy and Consulting Group, where her insights guide nonprofits, governments, and corporations toward impactful social solutions. In her role as Board Chair of Amnesty International Canada, Agapi leads initiatives to address human rights and equity issues globally, advocating for policies that drive systemic change.

Her exceptional contributions have been widely recognized:2025 Gathering Spot Washington DC powerhouse award  in 2024, she was named one of WXN Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women. She is also a recipient of the 2023 Harry Jerome Decade Leader Award, the 2023 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, the 2021 Peace Award, the 2020 Top Black Women to Watch in Canada, and the 2019 Dial Mover in Tech recognition. Through her work, Agapi continues to champion equity, amplify marginalized voices, and inspire transformative change.

Yasir Ali Khan

Yasir is a global advocate for HIV awareness and harm reduction in queer communities, with a focus on marginalized populations. Originally from Pakistan and now a newcomer to Canada, he brings over a decade of international experience in public health, community mobilization, and human rights.

He is the founder of HIV Buddies Canada, a grassroots initiative supporting South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Arabic Muslim queer individuals living with or affected by HIV. Yasir also serves as Community Coordinator with Reshape/IHP (UK) and as a Peer Support Worker at Casey House in Toronto.

Since beginning his HIV activism in 2014, Yasir has led national and regional initiatives across Asia, managed large-scale UN and Global Fund programs in Pakistan, and helped establish key networks. His contributions include leading Pakistan’s first national research on substance use and misuse in Pakistan and developing the LGBTI Inclusion Index for UNDP Pakistan.

Yasir was honored with the Asian HIV Hero Award in 2022 and continues to advocate for equitable, culturally responsive healthcare within the global community, and as an alumnus of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Leadership Study Canada 2023.

Spencer Dane

BA, LicAcct, MBA, CPA CGA, FRSA

Spencer brings over three decades of cross-sector leadership spanning post-secondary education, aviation, financial services, and entrepreneurship. Currently Division Chair for Langara College’s Creative Arts & Industries Division in Vancouver, he is known for fostering inclusive leadership, strategic innovation, and academic excellence. His earlier tenure as Chair of the Langara School of Management was marked by transformational growth, the development of new academic programs, and a strong focus on international student engagement.

Prior to academia, Spencer held senior leadership roles with Air Canada, Canadian Airlines, and Harmony Airways, specializing in strategic planning, financial oversight, and operational integration. He has also served as an investment advisor and co-founded an award-winning restaurant.

Spencer holds an MBA with distinction, and professional credentials as a CPA (CGA). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a committed community leader, currently serving as Vice President of A Loving Spoonful Meals Society. He has been involved with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference initiatives since 1998 and is a member of the organizing committee for the 2025 Caribbean-Canada Leaders Dialogue.

Hemi Mitic, MVO

Lead Director

Hemi recently retired from his position as Assistant to the President of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) and is currently a Labour Relations consultant.

Hemi started as a welder at a Lear Corp. auto parts plant in Kitchener, Ont., in 1967. He became president of Local 1524 and eventually led the region’s labour council before joining the CAW staff in 1981. Appointed as national director of organizing in 1986 and then as an assistant to president in 1992 until his departure in 2009.

Lisa Bell

Tour Co-Lead

Boasting over thirty years experience, Lisa has held key managerial roles in the financial services and public sectors, and excels in credit and financial services as they relate to SMEs and the Export Sector. 

Her recent executive appointment as Managing Director of the National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica (EXIM Bank) included overseeing a team responsible for the overall management, business development, loan financing and general operations, ensuring delivery of its mandate to promote sustainable economic growth and development for Jamaica’s exporters and potential exporters. 

Prior to joining EXIM Bank, Lisa was the Deputy President of the Jamaica Trade and Invest (JAMPRO) where she contributed over eight years of service to the national investment and export agency. She also  held executive appointments  in the local financial services sector including at  Alpha Financial Services Limited, Victoria Mutual Investments Limited and Citizensbank . Lisa has worked overseas with both Anderson Consulting and the City of Miami Department of Management & Budget. 

As an experienced Board director, Lisa has held several appointments in both the private and public sector. She holds a Master of Business of Administration with a specialization in Finance, and  a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Miami, Florida, USA. Lisa is a 2011 CCELD Alumna.

Dr. David Bynoe

Barbados Lead

As an agronomist, economist and international sustainable development specialist, David has a strong passion for God, empowering people and protecting the environment. As the National Coordinator of the Global Environmental Facility-Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi-Country Office for Barbados & the OECS since 2013, he is responsible for effective management of the GEF-SGP local team, the SGP programme and its portfolio of projects. 

David holds a Master’s in Environmental Economics and Environmental Management (Distinction) from the University of York, United Kingdom (UK). He pursued this master’s as a Commonwealth Scholar to the UK after completing a first degree in Agricultural Science from the University of the West Indies in Trinidad & Tobago. David concluded his Ph.D. with the University of Twente focusing on Multi-level Governance, Climate Change Adaptation and Agri-Environmental Stewardship within Small Island Developing States (SIDS). 

He served on the Barbados Green Economy National Steering Committee; currently sits on the National Climate Change Committee, lectures at the University of the West Indies on Resource and Environmental Economics, and is an Adjunct Professor of Sustainable Development at McGill University. In addition, he served as a member of the United Nations Environmental Programme Scientific and Expert Review Team which assesses emerging issues impacting Small Island Developing States. 

Tammy Richardson-Augustus

Bermuda Lead

A recently-retired partner at Appleby law firm, Tammy maintains a diversified business transactions practice, with emphasis on domestic and international M&A, joint ventures, capital markets and securities (debt and equity), financing transactions and general corporate governance mandates.  

Tammy read law at the University of Bristol, joining the firm in 1997, she was seconded to Linklaters, London as a stagiaire and has worked in the Bermuda, BVI and Hong Kong offices.

Helping shape legal advice, she serves  as a director on various statutory boards including The Bermuda Monetary Authority (Chair of Legal Policy Committee and member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and Non-executive Committee), The Bermuda Deposit Insurance Corporation, The Financial Policy Council Review Group and The Bermuda First Think Tank.   Tammy is also a non-executive director on the board of The Polaris Group of Companies and Aspen Insurance Group (Chair of Investment Committee, Chair of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee).

Focused on excellence in service delivery in the community, Tammy sits on the governance committee of non-profits including The Bermuda End-to-End, The Saltus Grammar School, One Love Foundation, WISTA Bermuda (Founding Member) and WeSpeak Bermuda., earning her a Justice of the Peace designation. Tammy was recognized by Bermudian Magazine as an Unsung Hero for 2024; and recognized as Woman of the Year 2024 by the Bermuda International Women’s Day Committee.

Tammy has passed CPA exam (not licensed), is a member of the Bermuda Bar Association, a certified One Love facilitator, an amicus curiae in domestic violence proceedings, a frequent contributor to The Royal Gazette newspaper and UEFA Equivalent D licensed football coach.  Tammy was a featured guest speaker at: Clarien Bank (2020), Princeton University Symposium (April 2023), Bermuda Monetary Authority Insurance Team (2024) Buckingham Palace (April 2024) and Fortitude Re (May 2024).

Nickolas Steele

Grenada Co-Lead

A  former Grenadian politician and Cabinet Minister, Nickolas  attended Westmoreland School, where he twice earned the distinction of Island Scholar. He went on to Northeastern University in the United States, where he majored in International Business and Political Science.

Upon his return to Grenada, he developed and managed various business enterprises, including Steele’s Auto.

In 2011, Nickolas entered politics, and won the constituency of the Town of St. George in the 2013 General Elections, and was appointed as  Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Business. In November 2014, he was appointed as Minister for Health, Social Security and International Business.

In the 2018, he won the constituency of South St. George, and was again appointed as the Minister for Health, Social Security & International Business. He has held the Health portfolio throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, effectively managing the Ministry for Health and helping to safeguard Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

In 2019, he was elected to the Executive Council of the World Health Organization (WHO) and  served two stints on the Board of the Global Fund.

In 2022 he decided to re-enter  the private sector,  spearheading  business ventures in the Import, Export and Tourism sectors as well as a consultancy firm, Allegria Inc focused on  regional G2G and  B2B projects.

Royann Dean

Bahamas Lead

Royann is a marketing and communications veteran with more than two decades of corporate experience with brands such as Heineken, FIFA, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Grand Hyatt and Baha Mar. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from the University of Georgia, a Master’s Degree in Design Management (Hons) from the University of the Arts London, and professional certificates in digital transformation from KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology.

Royann is the founder and chairperson of the Digital Transformation Committee and a director at the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation. She is an active Rotarian and a long-time director of the Rotary Club of East Nassau. She created and served as chairperson of the Environmental Committee before assuming the same roles in the Business Partnerships Committee. Royann is also the creator and moderator of inspired/by, The Bahamas’ only platform for conversations about business, design, and creativity.

Colin Ebanks

Jamaica Lead

As an experienced Human Resource Professional and General Manager, Corporate Services at the National Export Import Bank of Jamaica, Colin is responsible for the Human Resources, Administration, Procurement, Information Technology and Registry functions of the organization. 

With over 15 years of management experience in both the private and public service, Colin has a passion for employee development, people management and the integration of information technology to improve operational efficiency. He has led numerous training courses, developed performance appraisal systems and completed projects to increase employee output and personal development.

Colin holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology and a Masters of Science in Human Resource Development. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration. He is an avid reader, cyclist and swimmer and is married with two children. Colin is the Chairman of the Board of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities and a Director of the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica.