International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024

Judith Whitehead, KC, is the Managing Partner of Graham Thompson Attorneys. Formerly a litigation partner concentrating on family law, she focuses on high-net-worth private clients, and negotiations with the government on large investment projects. Her practice areas include private clients, trusts and estates, property and development, and immigration and naturalisation. Judith was called to The Bahamas Bar in 1982 and is a member of The Bahamas Bar Association, the International Bar Association, and the board of directors of Bahamas First Holdings Limited, The Lyford Cay Foundations and the Bahamas Financial Services Board. Judith has served in corporate governance capacities in the financial services industry and in the role of Acting Supreme Court Justice. She is a former director of the World Services Group and of the National Women’s Advisory Council. She was appointed one of His Majesty’s Counsel (King’s Counsel) in January 2023.

Phyllice Bethel considers it a privilege to inspire and challenge entrepreneurs who drive a variety of industries across The Bahamas. She joined Access Accelerator as a Small Business Consultant in October 2018 and currently serves as Deputy Executive Director. In previous roles, Phyllice served as an Internal Auditor for Hospital Corporation of America, a healthcare provider owning 186 hospitals in America and the United Kingdom and as a Consolidation Accountant for Leonteq Securities AG, a Swiss company offering structured financial products in 10 countries.

Eustacia Marie Jennings is a seasoned Environmental, Health & Safety Professional. She is the Sole Proprietor and Principal Consultant of Jennings Environmental, Safety and Security (JESS) Consultants. She also serves as the Vice President of The Bahamas Association of Safety Professionals (BASP). With several degrees in Environmental Science and numerous international Safety and Environmental Certifications she has over 25 years in Environmental experience and 15 plus years in Safety spanning numerous industries including the Power, Maritime, Aviation, Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, Construction and Food and Beverage Industries. JESS Consultants’ slogan “safe people, safe places, safe planet” encourages persons to make choices that reduce risk, promote safety and sustainability. The Plan, Do, Check, Act approach to Environmental and Safety Management Systems and hierarchy of risk controls are at the heart of the business model. The core values of JESS Consultants are integrity, authenticity, discipline and creativity which reflect her personal values. Her global mindset and approach to life has afforded her the opportunity to visit over 100 countries but her passion and love for the environment is forever rooted in The Bahamas. When she is not traveling, she enjoys spending time in nature at home in peaceful Andros and with her two nieces when in New Providence.

Dr. Edrica D. Richardson (or “Dr. E”) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in multiple states in the U.S. and an American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor. She works with adolescents, couples, and families throughout the Bahamas and the U.S. currently, but has clients all over the world. Her clinical specialties include relationship issues, individual issues, family counseling, and life coaching, to name a few. As a therapist with over a decade of expertise, she uses a collaborative lens, and invites her clients into a strong therapeutic alliance through meaningful conversations. Her main goal is to help clients become their full selves in both their personal and professional lives. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. E has been teaching undergraduate and graduate students for the past 13 years and supervising for the last 7 years both in major U.S. colleges and universities, and the Bahamas. Additionally, she co-hosts a bi-weekly Bahamian radio show about mental health and relationships and has been a featured guest on many other radio, online, and TV shows both locally and internationally. Her first professionally published book on Relationships will be on all platforms March 26, 2024, while she continues to spread the word on the importance of relationships and mental health through speaking engagements.

Marisa Mason Smith is a leading Human Resources Professional, Executive Coach and Consultant, and Adjunct Faculty at the University of the Bahamas and other tertiary institutions. Her career spans leadership positions within the private and public sectors, including Banking and Finance, Education, and various ministries within The Bahamas Public Service. She is a former Executive at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (now BPL) where she served as the Assistant General Manager, Human Resources and Training. In 2018, she transitioned from the Corporation to become the President and CEO of People First International (PFI), a Human Resources and Training Consulting Company.

She is a former President of the Bahamas Human Resources Association, and has lectured and worked with several national committees, including the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, where she serves on the Human Resources and Training Committee; the Department of Gender and Family Affairs; the National Women’s Advisory Council; the Caribbean Institute of Women in Leadership (CiWiL); and Focused Women International.

She also holds professional membership in several professional organizations including the Society of Human Resources Management, the Bahamas Human Resources Development Association, and the American Society of Management.

Ms. Mason Smith has served three bienniums as President of Zonta Club of New Providence, an international service club made up of executives and professionals that seek to advance the status of women through service and advocacy. In 2022 she was elected to serve as the United Nations Zonta Chairman for Advocacy and Women Affairs for Area 3, District 11, which includes The Bahamas, South Florida, Atlanta, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands.

A distinguished Chevening scholar, Ms. Mason-Smith holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Development and Productivity Management from the University of Manchester, England and Manchester Business School. She is in pursuit of a PhD in Organizational Development.

Chloe Farrington is a certified aesthetician at Essence Medica Spa and is skilled in skincare services, such as facials and exfoliation; recommending ideal skincare products; and advising clients on proper skincare routines and techniques.

Alicia ‘Puppy’ Robinson, a dynamic Bahamian entrepreneur, has left an indelible mark through her diverse ventures, notably Pupstar Entertainment, a trailblazing company that has revolutionized the Bahamian entertainment landscape and played a pivotal role in shaping the local social scene.

In response to the evolving challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Puppy, along with two partners, established Tin Ferl, a pioneering platform that facilitated the emergence of pop-up vendors. This collaborative initiative not only demonstrated her adaptability but also showcased her ability to foster partnerships and work synergistically to support local businesses during trying times.

Adding to the portfolio, Puppy founded The Tipsea Bar, a mobile bar service catering to a spectrum of events. This innovative venture was conceived out of a genuine need within the market, reflecting Puppy's keen entrepreneurial instincts and ability to identify opportunities for growth.

Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Puppy has been a dedicated force in various community service-based organizations. Her involvement with Zonta, Rotary, and the HeadKnowles Foundation underscores her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on society. Notably, Puppy's journey within the Rotaract Club of East Nassau, where she ascended to the role of president in 2015 after holding multiple key positions, showcases her leadership acumen and passion for service.

Additionally, Puppy played a crucial role during the Hurricane Dorian evacuation process in Multi-sectoral Coordination, Organization, and Evacuee Registration, showcasing her ability to navigate complex situations with poise and effectiveness which in turn birthed Volunteer Bahamas, under the esteemed guidance of His Excellency Cornelius Smith, past Governor-General of the Bahamas.

Puppy's stellar contributions to humanitarian efforts were recognized in 2021 when she was awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Humanitarian Award, a testament to her enduring commitment to making a positive impact on the world. With an impressive track record and an unwavering dedication to community betterment, Alicia "Puppy" Robinson continues to be a trailblazer in the Bahamian entrepreneurial and philanthropic landscape.