Jane Owen was appointed Governor to the Cayman Islands on Friday 21 April 2023.
DATES | ROLE
April 2023 – current date | Governor to the Cayman Islands2017 to 2023 | HM Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and non-resident Ambassador to Liechtenstein2014 to 2016 | Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)2010 to 2014 | HM Ambassador to Norway2006 to 2010 | Director, Trade, Finance, Science and Climate Change, British High Commission, New Delhi, India2002 to 2006 | Director of Trade Promotion, British Embassy, Tokyo, Japan1998 to 2001 | Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy, Hanoi, Vietnam1996 to 1998 | Head of Mediterranean and Asia Section, European Union Department, FCO1993 to 1996 | Head of Exports to Japan Unit, Department of Trade and Industry1990 to 1993 | Second Secretary (Commercial), British Embassy, Tokyo, Japan1988 to 1990 | Japanese language training, FCO1987 to 1988 | Latin-American Department, FCO
Jane was educated at Ellerslie School in Malvern, and Trinity College, Cambridge (BA Hons in Russian, French and German). She was born in Bilston in the West Midlands.
Author | Empowerment Speaker | Psychologist | Educational Counselor/Doctoral Can..
Monique Anderson is a purpose-driven author, empowerment speaker, seasoned psychologist, and educational counselor with over 15 years of experience in mental health services. She holds a Master’s in Theological Leadership and a Master’s in Counseling and Consulting Psychology, and she is currently a Doctoral candidate. Her academic and professional journey reflects her unwavering commitment to fostering emotional resilience, healing, and empowerment among children, youth, and their families.
As the CEO and leader of the R.I.S.E Girls group, Monique empowers young girls to embrace their potential, develop self-love, and step confidently into their purpose. Through this initiative, she provides mentorship and tools for personal growth, inspiring participants to become empowered versions of themselves.
Monique is the author of the *Beautiful Me* journal series, a faith-centered resource designed to help individuals on their journey of self-discovery, healing, and embracing their God-given identity. A devout born-again Christian, she seamlessly integrates faith-based principles into her practice, believing in the transformative power of aligning with one’s divine purpose.
Whether through her therapeutic work, leadership, or writing, Monique is dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and championing self-love as a gateway to hope and healing. Her purpose-driven approach continues to inspire and uplift individuals of all ages to live authentically and boldly.
Dr Chantal Basson is a Clinical Psychologist at Alex’s Place, Adolescent Behavioural Health at the HSA, specialising in crisis mental health, suicide risk, attachment focused family therapy, chronic long term health conditions, psychosomatic presentations, neurodiversity, and healing trauma through the developmental of attachment relationships. From a wider perspective, Chantal specialises in the societal change aspect of mental health.
Chantal is formerly a Lead Consultant Clinical Psychologist at The National Health Services (NHS) in the UK and worked for 10 years in NHS Senior Leadership. She is a qualified Family Therapy Systemic Practitioner, specialising in child and family mental health. She has also taught at multiple universities and across several NHS Trusts during her career to date.
She has qualifications in several therapeutic approaches including, Family therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Theraplay, Autism Assessments and EMDR.
Chantal is the Clinical and Educational Committee Chair for the Alex Panton Foundation and an Executive Board Member of the Cayman Islands Psychological Association.
Dr. Laurence van Hanswijck de Jonge is a child and youth psychologist with a passion for integrating biological and psychological perspectives in development. She has her Masters from the University of Maastricht, Netherlands and her PhD from Trinity College, Ireland. Since beginning her career in the 1990s, she has specialized in ADHD, Conduct Disorder, and child eating disorders, working in settings ranging from juvenile detention centers in the USA to the Child Development Unit at the University Hospital Geneva in Switzerland. Her work spans from assessments, therapy and research with a grounding in positive psychology.
After establishing a private practice in Switzerland and co-founding Positive Psychology Consulting, Dr. Laurence relocated to the Cayman Islands in 2018, where she serves as a Clinical Psychologist at KidsAbility. Her work focuses on helping children and families navigate developmental challenges with expertise and care.
Caymanian Rhonda Kelly is the CEO of Kelly Holding. Rhonda is active in the community and was a founding member of the CI Small Business Association (2009-2012) and the YMCA (2012-2021), as well as other local programmes. Rhonda joined the board of the Alex Panton Foundation in 2022 and is the Chair of the marketing committee.
Rhonda and her husband Kirk lost their youngest daughter, Addison, to suicide on 8th February 2022. Experiencing a parent’s worst nightmare has led her on a journey of ‘finding meaning’ and made her determined to share Addi’s story in hopes of helping others who may be struggling as Addi did.
Rhonda and her family have created the Addison Kelly Mental Health Education fund, which is in partnership with the Alex Foundation. The fund offers a biennial scholarship to a Caymanian to pursue studies in the mental health field and is also rolling out a full mental health first aid programme that will provide this vital training for all in our community that needs or wants it. The Addison Kelly Butterfly 5k Walk/Run is held annually to provide income for the fund.
Dr. Lam is a trained Doctorate Clinical Psychologist and Registered Expert Witness with over 14 years of post-qualified experience in providing specialist mental health and trauma services to our community. Dr. Lam is accredited by the British Association of Behavioural Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), she has also been awarded a Certificate in Complex Trauma and Dissociation by The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Supervision. She is also certified in Neurosequential Model in Therapy as a trainer, and is experienced in multiple of evidence-based models in attachment and trauma processing approaches.
Dr Lam has extended clinical experience working with looked-after children services, their families, foster parents and adoptive parents. She is also experienced in developing trauma-informed care through consultation and training and has a track record of service improvement.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Lam works with Alex Panton Foundation. Involving in many community and charity initiatives and has led many outreach projects. One of her current focus areas involves working with community leaders to improve access for children to mental health services.
Marc Lockhart, MD has been a practicing consultant psychiatrist in the Cayman Islands for over 24 years and is the longest serving psychiatrist in our history. He received his Doctor of Medicine in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and is a fluent Spanish speaker. His Psychiatry Residency training was completed at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan. He is the Medical Director of Behavioral Health Associates Cayman (BHAC) and is also a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at The Health Services Authority where he manages clinical duties for HMP Fairbanks and Spanish language services. He provides clinical reviews on the Inpatient Unit and provides clinical guidance for staff.
He has extensive experience in administrative and community psychiatry, having served on both the Health Practice Commission as Deputy Chairperson and The Mental Health Commission as Chairman. Throughout his career, he has advocated for those with severe mental illness, which has led to the completion of Poinciana Rehabilitation Facility, the long-term mental facility for the residents of the Cayman Islands. Dr. Lockhart received the honour of Emerging Pioneer in 2015 for health services. He was selected as an honorary Rotarian in October 2024 and has a deep passion for his community. His ongoing initiatives include reducing stigma around mental illness and increasing access to resources for those in need, while defending those with the least, the last and the lost in our society.
Charmaine Miller brings extensive experience in both the public and private sector within the Cayman Islands’ Human and Social Services field. She holds a Master’s Degree in Human and Social Services and a Bachelor’s degree with a major and minor in Psychology, providing a strong foundation in understanding human behavior.
Charmaine has dedicated 15 years to developing and implementing research based programmes and services for families experiencing mild to chronic dysfunction and has played an instrumental role in implementing evidence based internationally accredited programmes that have been carefully adapted to the unique cultural context of the Cayman Islands and the Caribbean, ensuring their effectiveness in addressing local challenges
Within her role as Clinical Supervisor, Charmaine has spearheaded successful projects and campaigns to address social issues impacting the Cayman community, which include Gender Equality, Domestic Violence, Bullying and Substance Abuse and Addiction.
Charmaine Launched the Civil Service Mentorship Programme in 2022, a programme endorsed by the Portfolio of the Civil Service (PoCS) to provide young female civil servants with healthy peer relationships and one-on-one mentoring with experienced professionals, to foster development and professional growth. Charmaine is passionate about change and partnering with organizations within the private sector to positively impact the lives of children and families, she is a member of multiple boards that include the NCVO and One2One.
Raegan Rutty is a proud Caymanian, trailblazing as the Cayman Islands’ first-ever Olympic gymnast and the first Olympian gymnast to compete at Miss Universe. A graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, she combines her athletic achievements and academic background to advocate passionately for mental health and suicide awareness. Through her platform as Miss Universe Cayman Islands, she inspires young Caymanians to pursue their dreams while addressing generational trauma and promoting the Addison Kelley Mental Health Education Fund. Known for her authenticity, bravery, and energy, Raegan shares her journey through her podcast, The Raegan Way, where she explores topics like mental health, overcoming obstacles, and the power of self-belief. Whether giving motivational speeches or promoting Cayman’s unique culture and heritage, Raegan is a symbol of resilience and empowerment, proving that struggles do not define us—our ability to rise does.
Dr Stephanie Schirn is a licensed Counselling Psychologist at The Wellness Centre where she provides therapeutic services for children, teens, and adults. Dr Schirn holds particular interest in working with children and young people who have experienced sexual trauma. Her experience ranges from providing therapeutic support to children and young people with experience or at risk of exploitation, to working in adult community mental health or with traumatic brain injury in various charities and NHS England. Dr Schirn’s doctoral research consisted of exploring UK mental health practitioners’ perspectives of detecting and safeguarding against sexual grooming. Dr Schirn has recently returned home to the Cayman Islands where she hopes to bring her knowledge on detecting sexual grooming to promote and implement change in the Cayman Islands.
Laila Shim is a Research Analyst at the National Drug Council (NDC), where she is responsible for the development, monitoring, and evaluation of the organisation’s research initiatives. Her key responsibilities include managing the NDC’s primary research project, the biennial Cayman Islands Student Drug Use Survey (CISDUS), which has been tracking trends in youth substance use since 1998.
Laila has a strong educational background in social sciences, with a particular focus on addictions and mental health. She recently earned a Master of Public Health in Social & Behavioural Health Sciences from the University of Toronto.
In her role at the NDC, Laila is committed to ensuring that the community has access to locally relevant data. She aims to use this data to foster greater collaboration among stakeholders, ultimately enhancing the services available to young people and the wider community.
Dr. Shari Smith is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 30 years’ experience in special education and disabilities in the Cayman Islands. She is founder and owner of Life Options, a private practice providing psychological and life coaching services. At Life Options, clients are helped with putting the pieces together. Dr. Shari is passionate about working with young people and adults who struggle with anxiety and depression, and persons experiencing difficulty navigating the transitions of life. Dr. Shari utilizes a holistic approach with working with her clients, incorporating a format that appreciates the connection between the mind, body, and spirit and how all are key in learning how to manage the many challenges in life. Her work is grounded in mindfulness and embracing the inner self to achieve personal goals. Dr. Shari believes in empowering her clients to take hold of their own journey and become the best version of themself.
Tammi Sulliman is a seasoned media professional with more than 20 years of experience. Beginning her career in print journalism, Tammi made a pivotal transition to television in 2007. As a dedicated reporter and talk show host in the Cayman Islands, she focused on social and political issues impacting the community. In November 2015, Tammi assumed the role of News Director at the country’s only independent television station. Her commitment to quality journalism led to her promotion as Station Manager in 2019, where she oversaw all aspects of television news and talk shows, as well as news content across radio stations at Hurley’s Media Ltd. (now Compass Media Ltd.). With a background that includes managing news and content responsibilities at Dart – the country’s largest developer and private sector employer, as well as directing communications at tech-focused investment firm B1 and its subsidiary Bullish, Tammi continues to offer PR, content creation, media strategy, emcee, moderator, and other communications-related services throughout the Cayman Islands community through her consultancy. Tammi was recently elected to serve on the CI Chamber of Commerce 2024 council as a Councillor.
Leanni Tibbetts lives by the motto “Be the change”. She is the 4th female pilot employed by the national airline Cayman Airways, Miss World Cayman Islands 2022-2024, a retired commissioned officer for the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps, and an entrepreneur.
She holds a bachelors of science degree in Aviation Management with Flight and minor in Aviation Environmental Science from the Florida Institute of Technology. She has served in many leadership roles within the Cayman Islands and abroad and won many awards for community service.
She has made an impact in the lives of thousands of women and children through her many speaking engagements, participated in numerous environmental initiatives and campaigns, hosted a Woman Empowerment Seminar, raised countless dollars for various causes, and so much more. As a woman of faith, she hopes to be remembered as someone who was wholeheartedly dedicated to service above self.
Dr Anand is an experienced paediatrician and neonatologist with over a decade of excellence in paediatric medicine. This includes prominent roles in renowned healthcare institutions, where he has managed departments, consistently demonstrating expertise in ventilator management in neonatal and paediatric intensive care, emergency procedures and general paediatric management.
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