Theme: Philosophise

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

BVI International Arbitration Centre
3rd Floor Ritter House
Wickham's Cay 2
Road Town, Tortola, Virgin Islands, British, VG1110
Virgin Islands, British

April Glasgow

Poet

April Tia Glasgow is a writer and mother living in the Virgin Islands. While working in government communications for over a decade, April recalibrates or 'comes back to center', with poetry and music. She is the founder and member of the Callaloo Poets and Artists Collective, representing the BVI at CARIFESTA X (2008) in Guyana, and was a participant for the premiere Moko Writers Workshop in 2018. Her poems have been published in three anthologies: “VI Callaloo: Poems from the Caribbean”, “The Caribbean Writer: Volume 23 (2009)” and “Where I See the Sun: Contemporary Poetry from the Virgin Islands”. She also curateas poetry events, including ‘Microphone Messenjahs’, the BVI's first big stage poetry event, Open Mics at Mellow Moods Café, and now monthly readings at Rose Duck N' Dive.

Clarence Faulkner

Managing Director

Mr. Clarence M. Faulkner Jr, BComm, MBA (Hons), is the Founder and Managing Director of the PMI Group of Companies (collectively, “PMI”) that provides Consultancy, Management and Administrative services for social protection systems, private wealth management and other investment relates services. Our drive is to continue the evolution of redefining the way such systems are designed, managed, and administered by Governments, Plan Sponsors and Administrators. The satisfaction of the communities and the people of the Caribbean Region is paramount. The customization of financial solutions, inclusive of pensions structures and investment portfolios must be based on the needs of the holders of such assets. Over the last 25 years we have been involved in numerous projects aimed at addressing the concerns of both formal and informal sectors of an economy whilst highlighting the key components of an individual’s replacement rate.

David D. Archer Jr.

Deputy Gvernor

Mr. David D. Archer Jr. hold a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management and Business Administration (double major). He severed as Director of Human Resources and has served as the Permanent Secretary to the Deputy Governor where he provided policy advice and oversaw various departments that fall under the Governor's Group. Along with his undergraduate degrees, he also possesses a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA). He was also appointed as the Senior Liaison Officer to the Governor, providing strategic advice on the Governor’s portfolio of subjects, and currently serves as the Deputy Governor of the Virgin Islands. His primary role, in support of the Governor, is to oversee the management and development of the Virgin Islands Public Service; to lead the Public Service to ensure the effective delivery of the Government’s programme, and to maintain the highest standards of service delivery and good governance.

Douglas Connor

Historian

Born in Canada, degree in history from UBC (1963), lived many years in UK and Europe, travelled widely. Lifelong interest in early human history and the evolution of human societies and civilizations. Lifelong focus on self-development. Early experience of developing and using management methods to encourage participation and cooperation. Over fifty years as an entrepreneur starting and developing high-tech scientific businesses including automatic test systems for electronics manufacturers, algorithmic trading for financial markets, semiconductor distribution. Last business, sold in 2018, developed scientific software used worldwide by major infrastructure operators (railway stations, airports, sports stadia) and event organisers (Olympic Games) to optimise venue designs and operating procedures for crowd behaviour (complex system modelling with virtual people). Full-time resident in the British Virgin Islands since March 2020.

Dr. L Sauda Smith

Executive Director, Philanthropy

Dr. L. Sauda Smith is the Executive Director of Unite BVI Foundation. She is an alumna of Wesleyan University, the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Warnborough University. the former Vice President, Associate Vice President and Dean of Arts and Sciences of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College where she worked for twenty-one years. She serves as the Chairperson of the Non-Profit Organizations Regulatory Board of the Virgin Islands, and the Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. A Fulbright Hayes Scholar, Marshall Scholar & Phi Theta Kappa International Leadership Facilitator & Instructor. The author of three textbooks: Introduction to Literature, The Mercury Reader, and Essential Grammar; and was a presenter at the 50th anniversary symposium on African Studies held in Wisconsin in April of 2019. She was also a presenter at the symposium in honor of Dr. Henry Drewal at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington, DC in 2020.

Dr. Sharlon Lewis

Medical Director

Dr Lewis received her MBBS at UWI St. Augustine/ Trinidad Campus. She is now the Medical Director of The Wellness Center Medical Clinic, where her aim is to bring a holistic approach to health care with emphasis on prevention, and caring for the body, mind and spirit.After completing her Post Graduate Diploma in Obesity Management through the University of South Wales, Dr. Lewis has dedicated much of her focus to managing chronic metabolic diseases, like Obesity and Diabetes. She is the president of the BVI Diabetes Association and had also been part of the first response to the Covid Pandemic working with the BVIHSA, and then the National sensitisation effort around the Covid-19 vaccines. She is always willing to provide education to the public regarding health issues, especially related to Obesity and Diabetes, whether in schools, churches and businesses- acts of service in the community for which she was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Road Town.

Lorna Smith OBE

Founder & Chief Eecutive Officer

She several decades of experience at the highest levels of the public service in the BVI and has spent the last decade supporting Caribbean Governments, corporations and individuals in various commercial ventures. She spent the last two and a half years establishing BVI Finance, a public private partnership devoted to business development and promotion of the financial services industry. She is currently Vice Chairman of Bank of Asia. Over the course of her senior-level public service, Lorna has developed extensive relationships with leaders from the business community, international NGO’s and government leaders from around the world. She has been one of the key ‘engineers’ behind the BVI’s rise from relative obscurity to its present position as a top-flight tourist destination and one of the premier centres for global finance. Lorna was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Simone Martin

Compliance Regulator

Simone is a non-conventional regulator with over 20 years of experience. Her diverse experience encompasses several sectors (fiduciary services, insurance, & investment business) in both the BVI & Anguilla. During her career thus far, she has materially contributed to legislative reform towards ‘right-tough’ regulation, the conduct of prudential and AML/CFT compliance inspections as well as created and delivered training for local, regional & international regulators & other financial services professionals. From 2008 – 2019, Simone served as the Secretary of the Joint Anti-Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing Committee of the Virgin Islands. Simone was also a core member of the Working Group for Trust & Corporate Service Providers. She is a Fellow of The Chartered Governance Institute, UK, a Fellow of the International Compliance Association of the UK & a full member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners.