Speakers

Dr Axel Kravatzky is the Vice-Chair of ISO/TC309 Governance of Organisation and the Managing Partner of Syntegra-360, which enables companies to optimize their sustainable value generation.

Dr Kravatzky empowers organizations to create a meaningful and sustainable future. He helps companies develop and implement integrated governance, certified management systems, and transformational leadership. His engagements result in measurably higher performance, ethical behaviour, and responsible stewardship through empowered teams, effective strategies, and authentic impact.

Dr Kravatzky is the President of the European Chamber of Business in Trinidad & Tobago (EUROCHAMTT), was the founding Chair of the Caribbean Corporate Governance Institute (2012-2016), and co-led the development of ISO 37000 Governance of organization – between 2017-2021.

He is currently the convenor of ISO/TC309/WG1 Guidance on the governance of organisations, which is developing ISO 37011 Purpose-driven organization—Guidance. Dr Kravatzky is currently the only accredited trainer for the UNDP SDG Impact standards in the Caribbean and a contributing expert in ISO/PC 343, developing ISO-WD 53001 Management systems for the UN Sustainable Development Goals—Requirements. He is also an accredited trainer of Natural Capital for Business Decision-Making and is an IFRS/ISSB FSA Credential Level 2 candidate.

Dr Kravatzky works with executives and boards internationally, with clients concentrated in the Caribbean, Europe, and the Gulf states. He is an experienced Non-Executive Director, including Dialogue Solutions Ltd. He is a member of the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) and Social Value International.

Dr Kravatzky is an alumnus of United World Colleges (UWC) and completed his university education at the London School of Economics (B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.).

https://www.linkedin.com/in/axelkravatzky/

Dr. Colin A. Young, in his role as Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), stands at the forefront of climate resilience efforts in the Caribbean. The CCCCC is an inter-governmental organization, mandated by CARICOM's Heads of Governments, to coordinate the Caribbean’s response to climate change. Under Dr. Young’s leadership, the CCCCC functions as a Regional Direct Access Entity to both the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund as well as bilateral partners, amplifying its impact on climate resilient initiatives across the Caribbean.

Before his tenure at the CCCCC, Dr. Young was the Chief Executive Officer of the Social Security Board in Belize from 2017 to 2019. Here, he championed significant reforms including contribution reform, technology transformation, and spearheading key legislative changes to enhance the organization’s effectiveness, efficiency and service delivery. He also served as the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, and Sustainable Development, where he oversaw critical portfolios that embraced climate change, sustainable development and environmental policies. Additionally, as CEO of the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities from 2012 to 2015, he drove initiatives that blended innovation with sustainable energy strategies and that resulted in the development of Belize’s National Sustainable Energy Strategy and Action Plan as well as Belize’s National Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and Action Plan.

Dr. Young’s extensive board experience includes influential positions such as a member of the Green Climate Fund, and directorship roles in significant Belizean organizations like Belize Telecommunications Limited, and the Protected Areas Conservation Trust. He has also been actively involved with key environmental NGOs, Friends for Conservation and Development, and Programme for Belize, which manage the country's largest protected areas.

An accomplished scholar, Dr. Young earned both his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Connecticut. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and anthropology from Marlboro College in Vermont. Dr. Young's multidisciplinary expertise and leadership continue to reinforce regional resilience and sustainable growth amidst the challenges of climate change.

Craig Hill leads business development and account management activities for BDO within the Financial Services Industry. He brings 10+ years of technology modernization experience and focuses on enabling the business operation transformations required to remain competitive in an increasingly complex and evolving industry.

Daryl is a Consulting partner with over 20 years of professional experience providing technology services to financial services & insurance, natural resources, retail, agriculture, and not-for-profit/public sectors. Daryl serves two roles, the first as the partner for the technology practice, and the second as the National Industry leader for Insurance where he has led BDO’s a variety of impactful insurance specific digital transformations for decades.

Daryl as a results-driven technology executive is focused on strategic planning, execution excellence, and delivering value for our clients through the BDO Technology Solutions Practice. He has national responsibility for managing and growing the BDO Technology’s practices of Data Analytics, Application Modernization, Digital & Collaboration, and Productivity Automation.

Daryl as a national Industry lead for Insurance is focused on serving P & C, Health, and Life insurers, as well as, Brokerages, TPAs, and Associations, with Assurance, Tax, and Advisory solutions to enable successful business transformation. We have assisted hundreds of clients looking to streamline their businesses and make technology work for them, winning many awards along the way.

Don is a Manager within the Data Practise at BDO Digital, with over 8 years of experience designing and delivering data solutions in a wide variety of industries. Don has been at the forefront of helping many Caribbean insurers along their IFRS 17 journey, implementing the InsurHub accelerator for these clients. Don has experience architecting and leading the delivery of cloud-first Business Intelligence solutions across a wide range of industries, including not-for-profit, oil and gas, telecommunication, insurance, banking, and management consulting.

Dr Phillips has been employed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness as a clinician and a public health administrator since 2001. Arthur is also an Associate Lecturer in Public Health with the University of the West Indies.

From August 2023 Arthur has been working as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer. In that role Arthur:
Advises the CMO on technical, public health, and policy matters related to assigned strategic and programmatic areas; Provides leadership on matters related to public health, policy implementation and health sector management; and facilitates programme development, implementation, and evaluation in coordination with national and international stakeholders.

Arthur Phillips obtained his medical degree from UWI, Cave Hill. He has Masters degrees in Public Health and in Health Economics and Heath Policy both from the University of Birmingham, in the United Kingdom. As Associate Lecturer in Public Health Arthur contributes to the Bachelors of Health Science, to the Social and Preventive Medicine component of the Medical degree the Post Graduate Diploma in Health Service Management and Policy and the Masters of Public Health.

Arthur was part of a group that received a National Award, the Gold Award of Achievement, in April 2021 for contribution to the national COVID-19 effort. In 2024 Arthur was a recipients of the Pride of Workmanship Award from the Rotary Club of Barbados for his work in Disease Prevention and Treatment of NCDs.

Ghassan is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries with over 13 years of experience in insurance core systems, actuarial consulting, and InsurTech. His deep understanding of these sectors allows him to navigate the complex challenges and opportunities insurers face. He holds a degree in Actuarial Science from Université de Montréal.

Actuarial consulting in insurance and pension.

Leadership across policy administration systems, back-office productivity, and advanced analytics solutions.

Insuretech expertise in modernizing insurer operations with cloud-based technology.

As AVP of Core Insurance Solutions, Ghassan leads strategy and product development for three key solutions: Equisoft/manage (PAS on the cloud), back-office productivity tools for insurers, and advanced analytics & AI solutions. His vision is to bridge the insurance industry with cutting-edge technology, driving efficiency and agility in an evolving market.

Gina Castañeda joined LIMRA and LOMA in 2011 and currently serves as the Member Engagement Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. A native of Colombia, and she is based in Bogotá. In her role, Gina is responsible for delivering Member Solutions and overseeing research projects across the region. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, she has been instrumental in fostering partnerships with shared-vision organizations to drive growth and innovation within the insurance industry.

With over 18 years of experience in the insurance sector, Gina has contributed significantly to renowned companies, including Allianz, MetLife, and Colmena, where she brought her expertise and industry knowledge to drive success. Her extensive background and dedication to the industry make her a key advocate for advancing insurance practices throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Michelle Havelock is the Managing Director for LIMRA and LOMA in the Caribbean and is the first Caribbean person to hold such a position at LIMRA and LOMA.

Michelle holds the prestigious Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) designation and an MBA, underscoring her expertise in leadership and development.

Michelle’s career journey spans over 3 decades, which includes a career in banking, insurance sales, and leadership roles in Business Development, Recruitment, Learning & Development, and Customer Retention. A former Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) qualifier, she has earned global recognition for her contributions to the industry.

An accomplished trainer since 2006, Michelle specializes in Leadership, Sales Strategies, Recruitment, Retention, and Performance Management. She has trained leaders and teams across the Caribbean, sharing insights that drive growth and innovation.

Notably, Michelle was the first Caribbean woman to speak at a breakout session at the 2023 LAMP USA (GAMA) conference in Las Vegas and the first from the Caribbean to facilitate a Masterclass at the 2024 conference in Denver. She is also a published author and a committed advocate for the development of financial professionals in the region.

Sasha Cruz, originally from the Dominican Republic, is a results-driven professional with over 17 years of experience in claims management and health insurance. She specializes in international medical cost containment and currently serves as a Senior Account Manager at GMMI, a subsidiary of the Europ Assistance/Generali Group. Drawing from her extensive background, including her previous role as a Claims Director and experience in reinsurance, Sasha effectively implements medical cost containment strategies, fostering key relationships across the Caribbean region.

Her expertise ranges from supporting Caribbean government insurance programs to managing medical assistance companies that cater to insured individuals requiring treatment in the United States. Known for her logical approach, exceptional communication skills, and commitment to reducing medical costs for her clients, Sasha brings a fresh perspective and strategic insights to every project she undertakes.

A fun fact: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sasha served as a Claims Director for the penitentiary system across several counties in the United States, showcasing her adaptability and expertise in challenging situations.

Sasha is eager to participate as a speaker at the 2025 IAC Conference in Panama, where she aims to share her innovative approach to medical cost containment and contribute valuable insights to the industry.

Samantha Cook, focuses on advancing finance and policy to address critical global challenges across climate, nature, economic development, and human well-being, she leverages her extensive market insights to drive innovative finance and public policy solutions. With two decades of experience Samantha has substantial experience in driving change both locally and globally, and possesses deep technical expertise in data, analytics, scenario analysis, economics, and policy. She has been pivotal in some of the most innovative disaster risk finance and insurance solutions for vulnerable communities and sovereign catastrophe risk pools including the issuance of several catastrophe bonds and the establishment the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company.

Warrick Ward has over 20 years of diversified financial sector experience, having served in several senior roles within both the public and private sectors.

Since January 2023, Warrick assumed the role of the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Commission, having most recently served as the Managing Director of AltoComp Consulting Inc. - a boutique firm offering corporate finance and strategic advisory services to a range of clients.

Warrick also served as a Senior Manager in the Advisory practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he offered advisory services ranging from corporate finance and financial modelling to merger and acquisition strategy. Warrick also served previously as Chief Executive Officer of NCB Capital Markets (Barbados) Limited, and within the public sector, he has served in senior positions at the Financial Services Commission in Barbados, the Barbados Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Central Bank of Barbados.

Warrick has a diversified background in finance, economics, compliance, and other policy-related work. He has chaired several policy-making committees and boards of directors. He currently sits on the Macroprudential Committee of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS).

Warrick was educated at the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill), and the University of Southampton in the UK, where he has been awarded degrees in economics, accounting and finance. This seasoned leader has also completed several short-term studies, including courses at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Harvard Law School.

He continues to share his varied experiences through his interaction with students, as a part-time Lecturer in the Banking and Finance Masters programme at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus.

Warrick is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys basketball, football, watersports, motorsport and table tennis.