Women in Caribbean Aquaculture Leadership Summit

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and innovation of women shaping the future of the Caribbean aquaculture industry. But while women play a vital role in aquaculture - from research, hatcheries to processing - too few rise to leadership positions. It’s time to change that.

Introducing the Caribbean Women in Aquaculture Leadership Summit

This summit is a first-of-its-kind gathering designed to equip Caribbean women in aquaculture with the tools, networks, and confidence to lead. Through dynamic discussions, mentorship opportunities, and actionable strategies, we will address the key challenges preventing women from stepping into leadership roles, including:

🔹 Limited access to funding & resources – Women-owned aquaculture businesses often struggle to secure financial support, making expansion and innovation difficult.

🔹 Gender bias in leadership – Decision-making roles are often dominated by men, sidelining women from high-level opportunities in research, policy, and industry leadership.

🔹 Balancing work & family expectations – Many women juggle demanding roles at home and in their businesses without structural support, making career advancement more challenging.

🔹 Lack of visibility & mentorship – Women in aquaculture often lack strong role models and mentors who can guide them toward leadership pathways.

🔹 Cultural norms & industry perception – In many Caribbean countries, leadership in aquaculture is still perceived as a male-driven space, discouraging women from pursuing executive roles.

This summit is about more than just conversation - it’s about action. Women will walk away with leadership training, funding insights, mentorship connections, and a clear strategy to break through barriers.

The Caribbean is rich in talent, and it’s women must be at the forefront of shaping its blue economy. If you are a woman in aquaculture, fisheries, or marine sciences, or you aspire to be, this summit is for you!

Let’s build a future where Caribbean women lead with confidence, expertise, and impact.

Register now

March 2025

All sessions, across two weeks, will be online via Zoom. All sessions will be recorded, meaning you never have to miss out! You can watch at a time to suit you and refer back to the sessions when you need to.

Online

$50

Confirmed speakers

  • Crystal Robinson

    Crystal Robinson is a native New Yorker but currently resides in Bridgewater, New Jersey. She has a bachelor’s in accounting, an MBA and is a licensed CPA in New Jersey.  In her last role, Crystal held the VP of Finance/Corporate Controller role for a start-up pharmaceutical company. Her expertise includes managing all General Accounting and FP&A functions including budgeting & forecasting and treasury management. With more than 25 years of public and private accounting experience in various industries, Crystal brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to businesses.

    After spending over 25 years in “Corporate America”, Crystal decided that she wanted to do something more meaningful.  Focusing on providing consulting services to small businesses, non-profits, and individuals while providing mentorship and opportunities to accounting professionals just starting out in their career was a natural thing to do. Crystal is committed to providing clients with excellent service, helping businesses succeed and doing charitable work!

  • Sherrel Bernard

    Sherell Bernard is a writer, copy-editor and publishing services provider. She is also a former educator, and has worked in media relations and journalism. 

    Sherell has been working with writers across the world, from the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Britain, India and East Africa, for the past eight years, assisting them to become published authors across various genres. 

    She lives with her husband and three daughters on the island of Trinidad, in the Caribbean. Sherell is also the author of That Summer Of '88, a small-town 80s romance.

  • Edward Fridie

    Edward Fridie is a digital marketing innovator, entrepreneur, and Rising Tide Capital Business Coach with over nine years of experience helping businesses harness technology for growth. As the founder of FridayNite Design LLC, he specializes in developing digital marketing strategies that combine human expertise with AI technology to deliver measurable results. His company helps brands build effective digital presences through web development, social media marketing, and innovative lead generation solutions.

    As Co-Founder of the Guyana and North America Trade Association, Edward demonstrates a strong commitment to international business development and cross-cultural collaboration. He is passionate about teaching others how to leverage emerging technologies, including AI tools, to enhance their business operations and research capabilities. His approach combines practical experience with innovative teaching methods to help organizations thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

  • Hazel Peat

    Hazel is a marketing and events expert who helps women-led, female-empowering businesses elevate their presence and achieve their goals with bespoke marketing support.

    She acts as a virtual marketing manager, helping to streamline your strategy and get the marketing tasks done, providing expert event management to create impactful experiences and delivering LinkedIn optimisation and management, meeting female entrepreneurs where they are now, and helping get them to where they aspire to be.

    She has 17 years’ experience across a diverse range of sectors, including oil and gas, renewable energy, and aquaculture.

More speakers to be confirmed - check back for updates!