Women in Aquaculture Leadership Summit

March 10 - 22, 2025

Hosted by Women in Caribbean Aquaculture and Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio

Dr. Juli-Anne Russo

CEO & Founder CAEIH and WiCA

Marian Flores

Community Development Manager in Latin America for Hatch Blue's Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio.

For 2025 International Women’s Day, the Caribbean Aquaculture Hub’s, Women in Caribbean Aquaculture along with Women in Ocean Food will come together to 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

BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING LEADERS

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.

SUMMIT SPEAKERS

Honorary Guest Speaker: Patricia R. Francis, CD

Patricia R. Francis, CD, is a distinguished Jamaican leader in global trade development, and investment, with a career spanning both the private and public sectors. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Miami in 1975, majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

From 1995 to 2006, Patricia served as the President of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), where she played a pivotal role in promoting trade and investment for Jamaica. Following this, she was appointed as the Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the UN Nations, serving from 2006 to 2013.

In 2016, Patricia led the United Nations Secretary-General’s High panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment, underscoring her commitment gender equality in economic development. She continued her advocacy for women's rights Special Advisor to the Executive Director of UN Women from 2018 to 2020.

Throughout her career, Patricia has held numerous leadership positions, including:

Chair of the Government of Jamaica’s Trade Facilitation Task Force.

Board member of Jamaica producers Group, Portland JSX, and Whiteshield Partners.

Director of the Alligator Head Foundation and the Rose Town Foundation for the Built Environment.

Her contributions have been recognized internationally. In 2006, she was awarded the Commander of the Order of Civil Merit by the Government of Spain, and in 2015, she received the order of Distinction in the Class of Commander by the Government of Jamaica. In 2024, the Caribbean Women in Trade organization honored her as the International Woman of the Year.

Patricia R. Francis's extensive experience and dedication have significantly impacted global trade policies and development initiatives, particularly in promoting inclusivity and economic empowerment for women.

Crystal Robinson

“She Means Business: Financial Success Starts Here”
MARCH 18, 2025 / 6:00pm EST

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

“Writing Your Story And Publishing It”
MARCH 13, 2025 / 1:00pm EST
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

“Smart AI Tools Essential For Your Daily Tasks”
MARCH 10, 2025 / 1:00pm EST

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

“Personal Branding for Women In Aquaculture”
MARCH 14, 2025 / 9:00am EST

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.
Maureen Berry

“Publishing A Cookbook”
MARCH 13, 2025 / 4:00pm EST
Maureen C. Berry is a nature and wildlife artist and a seafood cookbook author. She writes the publication pARTake on Substack and lives in Kentucky with her husband and Cooper, their wire fox terrier. Please visit maureencberry.com to learn more.
Rosalind Baitel

“Women In Panama Making A Difference In Aquaculture”
MARCH 20, 2025 / 6:00pm EST
Rosalind Baitel, originally from New Orleans Louisiana graduated from Louisiana State University in biology in 1983.
In 1985, she moved to Panama to teach secondary science in the U. S. Department of defense schools. Along the way she developed a love and appreciation for sea cucumbers and in 2018 helped to form PanaSea Aquaculture on the Caribbean coast of Panama.
Panasea now serves as an Aquaculture hub in the area, raising and restoring sea cucumbers, planting mangroves and seagrass beds, and helping with Coral restoration in the area of Linton Bay, Panama.

Sharon Feany

“Living Your Best Life”
MARCH 20, 2025 / 1:00pm EST
Master Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Health Coach, author of The Live Fit Kitchen™ Cookbook, Sharon Feanny, has spent the past three decades dedicated to spreading the gifts of Living Fit, Living Life and Living Love across her homeland of Jamaica and beyond. A sought after wellness expert, each year Sharon hosts retreats, cooking workshops, detox programs and yoga classes to an international client base. Her most recent offerings include Shakti Activation™- an online Yoga + Detox + Self-Care program as well as Shakti at Home™, a virtual Yoga + Fitness + Spiritual Community for Women that continues to transform the lives of hundreds of women across the globe. You can find out more about Sharon on Instagram @sharonfeanny or at www.sharonfeanny.com
Donny Bunting

“Cooking With Jamaica's Tilapia Farmer”
MARCH 21, 2025 / 10:00am EST
Mr. Donny Bunting, a former dairy farmer, has been a primary tilapia farmer in Jamaica since 1974, producing 250 tonnes of fish annually. His farm, Longville Park Farm, manages the entire process - from genetic work and fingerling production to wholesale and retail marketing.
Dr. Olivia Affuso

“Bravery At Work: Feeling The Fear And Doing It Anyway”
MARCH 11, 2025 / 6:00pm EST
Dr. Olivia Affuso, FACSM is the newly appointed Director of Strategic Leadership Initiatives at the Council on Black Health, formerly the African American Collaborative Obesity Research Network. Prior to the Council, Dr. Affuso was a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is also a Senior Research Scientist with the Gramercy Research Group.

Jessica Gianotti

“Starting A Business”
MARCH 12, 2025 / 5:00pm EST
Founder and Technical Lead at SeaDyes®: As a marine scientist and biotech innovator, Jessica is leading the development of SeaDyes® at the James Hutton Institute with support and funding from Scottish Enterprise's High Growth Spinout Programme.
Her purpose is to bridge the gap between marine science, sustainable aquaculture and the fashion and textile industries and collaborate to develop new ideas and nature-positive solutions by applying blue innovation and promoting marine science and climate change education, the responsible use of the ocean and a deeper connection with our natural world.
Dr. Stacey Williams

“Challenges Of Starting A Non-Profit”
MARCH 12, 2025 / 1:00pm EST
Sceintific Director of Iser Caribe
Institute for Socio-Ecological Research (Puerto Rico)