MEET OUR TEAM
The People Behind the Community
Get to know the amazing people behind Kingston Professionals. We each share a passion for our professional community, and whether a team member or Community Host, we are each focused upon creating an environment where we can share knowledge and information about our area of expertise or interest.
Community Director
RUTH ALLEN-GORDON
Ruth is an ERP systems professional with over 20 years' Consultancy, Project and Programme Management experience on Global Transformation Projects for multinationals, with further specialisms in Business Adoption and Change Management. She has worked extensively across Europe, North and Central America, Africa, the Middle east, and Asia Pacific.
Ruth holds a BSc in Information Systems Management, a PGDip in Theology, an Executive MBA from Cranfield Business School, and is a certified Coach, Project and Change Management professional.
Ruth is responsible for the vision, direction and oversight of the Kingston Professionals Community.
London, UK
St James, Jamaica
Hanover, Jamaica
INDUSTRY SPECIFIC FORUMS
The Specialists Behind Our Industry Specific Forums
DR JAY-SHEREE ALLEN AKAMBASE
Medical Health
Community Contributor
Dr. Jay-Sheree is a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician and National Health Service Corps Scholar and was formerly a member of the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association Board of Directors, President of the Mayo Fellows Association, and a Colin Powell Fellow. Jay-Sheree also holds a BA in Psychology. Jay-Sheree is committed to improving health outcomes through the promotion and practice of primary care and preventative medicine.
Minnesota, USA
St James, Jamaica
PAM ANDERSON
Social Media & Marketing
Community Host
Pam is a social media and marketing specialist with a BSc (Hons) in Marketing from UEL. She has 12 years' experience of helping small to medium sized businesses develop outstanding marketing campaigns to build and promote their online presence.
Hertfordshire, UK
Clarendon, Jamaica
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ALTHEA ALLEN
Education
Community Host
Althea is an experienced educator with over 30 years of education experience and 16 in a leadership capacity, including specialisms in Special Needs assessment and Deputy head/principal experience. Althea is passionate about addressing the education challenges that young people from Caribbean communities face. She has a BA in Education with History, Special Needs and sports coaching qualifications, umpiring UK netball teams up to county level.
London. UK
St James, Jamaica
SHARON COWAN
Small Business, Banking & Finance
Community Host
Sharon is a finance professional with 34 years experience in the banking industry. She has significant expertise in being a trusted financial advisor to small business owners, assisting clients with business development and marketing plans, loan and investment proposals, and in growth and sustainability strategies.
Sharon has an associate degree in Finance and a Bsc in Business administration.
Hanover, Jamaica
CHRISTINE BELL-WITTER
Science Matters
Community Host
Christine is a Senior biomedical scientist with significant experience at Cornwall Regional Hospital in JA and St Thomas Hospital in the UK. She has a Fellowship from the Institute of Biomedical Scientist, an MA and is a Chartered Scientist. Christine also works with the Institute of Biomedical Scientist verifying specialist portfolios which enables scientists to become state registered professionals.
Kent, UK
Manchester, Jamaica
Trelawny, Jamaica
SASHENA ROWE
Caribbean Travel & Tourism
Community Host
Sashena is a hospitality professional with over six years experience in the tourism industry, having served in multiple roles in management positions, and is now a senior manager at a premier Caribbean resort hotel where she is responsible for revenue generation. Sashena has a BA in Banking and finance and prides herself on critical and innovative thinking.
St James, Jamaica
COMMON INTERESTS FORUMS
The Specialists Behind Our Common Interest Forums
SONIA TROUPE
Caribbean Cuisine
Community Host
Sonia is an educator with an MA in Education Administration and over 27 years experience of teaching from kindergarten to college age. She has a passion for Caribbean cuisine and enjoys exploring a variety of tastes and flavors from all over the world. Sonia's interest developed whilst preparing "community dinners” for other students of color at college, and also having taught her teenage children and their peers to cook before leaving for college.
Florida, USA
Clarendon, Jamaica
SONIA BLACK
Mental Health & Wellness
Community Host
Sonia is an experienced medical professional registered in Mental, General and also Community Psychiatric nursing. She holds an MA In Anthropology, a diploma in Community Psychiatric nursing, and qualifications in Pastoral counselling, amongst other qualifications. Sonia works extensively with adults and young people, and provides education, training, mental health assessments and evaluation of care on an ongoing basis.
Surrey, UK
Westmoreland, Jamaica
MAUREEN SIMON
Health, Wellness & Education
Maureen Simon is an educator who is passionate about health and wellness. Maureen holds a BSc in Applied Biology and has taught across all Key Stages as well as in adult education.
DENISE ROBERTS
Book Publishing
Community Host
Denise is an editor and publishing strategist with 25 years’ experience, having been an editor and journalist for the Gleaner and the Voice, amongst other prominent editorial roles. Denise has lectured in Journalism at London University, and has also been guest speaker at the Marie Claire International Editor's Conference and London Publishing Expo. Denise has a BA in Comms (Maj. Journalism), an MA in Publishing and coaches authors on book planning and publication.
MARGARET MCPHERSON
Caribbean Real Estate
Community Host
Margaret is an experienced Real Estate Professional who provides the highest level of customer service. She has the benefit of wide and varied experience from many years at the executive level in the financial services industry. Margaret is skilled in Banking, Operational Risk, Facility & Asset Management, Business Process Improvement, and Project Management, having led the launch for a commercial bank and many automated systems. Margaret holds an MBA - Finance from The University of Manchester.
Kingston, Jamaica
IONIE LIBURD WILLET
Leadership & Personal Development
Community Host
Dr. Ionie has served in education for over thirty-five years. She holds a certificate in Teacher Education, a BA in Primary Education, an MA in English and Literacy, and is a Doctor of Education: Educational Leadership in Higher Education. Dr. Liburd Willett also specialises in personal and professional development and is a graduate of the Caribbean Leadership Project.
St Kitts & Nevis