25 Influential Women Leaders Award celebrates a legacy of empowerment in Guyana

May 25, 2025 Features / Columnists, News, Waterfalls Magazine

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Six years on…

Kaieteur News- The 25 Influential Women Leaders Award (25IWLA) hosted its Sixth Annual Awards Ceremony, bringing together nearly 400 distinguished guests for an evening that celebrated courage, leadership, and service. The event held on Saturday, May 17, was anchored by the powerful theme, “Women’s Rights Strongest Alliance. Most Influential Women.” The phrase served both as a tribute to women’s ongoing contributions and a rallying cry for continued unity and advocacy.

Now in its sixth year, the 25IWLA continues to highlight women who are shaping Guyana’s future across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The 2025 cohort features twenty-five pioneering women recognised for their innovation, advocacy, leadership, and unwavering dedication to community upliftment.

Among the honourees were Abbigale Loncke-Watson, Avia Maria Lindie, Ayodele Roache, Dr. Carla Cassiano, Colleen Prince, Devica Kamini Uditram, Francina Lanferman-Duncan, Hebron Edwards, Jasmaine Payne, Mahadevi Doobay-Girdhary, Martina McDonald-Johnson, Melissa Dow-Richardson, Mendy Angele Nicholson, Naudya Hoosein, Nazima Raghubir, Reisa Roberts, Romela Sahadeo, Dr. Sadhana Samtani-Sultan, Safina Lutchman, Savina Sukhnandan, Sophia Dolphin, Tamana Safraj, Tessa Fernandes, Vanessa Williams, and Vidya Ketwaroo.

Michelle A. Nicholas, Co-founder of the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The NICO Consulting, captured the spirit of the evening in her welcome address, “When women unite, we don’t just change the conversation, we change the world. Tonight, we celebrate twenty-five remarkable women who lead not from a position of authority but from a place of authentic service.”

In a moment of reflection, Nicholas called for a moment of silence to honour women and girls whose lives have been cut short, “She reminded the audience that their absence does not diminish their impact, and that we must continue this work in their memory and in solidarity with those still surviving.”

Her remarks served as a reminder of the deeper meaning behind the awards the recognition of both seen and unseen struggles and triumphs.

Co-Founder and Managing Director of Cerulean Inc., Ms. Lyndell Danzie-Black, issued a stirring charge to the 2025 honourees, calling on them to lead with integrity and nurture others, “Mothers of daughters and sons to continue telling your children that ‘they can’, like my mother did, because this is an investment in your generations. Be part of a tribe of support for someone.”

“She also charged the awardees to be authentic and true to whom they are, in a world of too much pretence,” Danzie-Black added.

Her message reinforced a central tenet of the 25IWLA ethos: authenticity as a catalyst for inclusive, purpose-driven leadership.

Adding a global lens to the evening, Retired Judge Lyndon D. Williams of Mount Vernon, New York, offered a keynote address that underscored the essential role of women in tackling today’s greatest challenges.

He noted that “The honourees are torchbearers for the future. Each represents the story of perseverance and dreams that refused to be deferred. The world desperately needs more women leaders, not merely for balance, but because women bring perspectives vital to solving the complex challenges of our time.”

For the sixth consecutive year, ExxonMobil Guyana returned as the exclusive sponsor of the event. Representing the company, Natalia Brasse, Acquisitions Supervisor, stated, “By investing in sustainable skills for women, we help unlock potential across business, science, the arts, and community enhancement. Tonight celebrates not only individual achievements but also the incredible power of support and solidarity among women.”

Similarly, Ivan Gaviria, Chief of Operations at the Inter-American Development Bank, which served as the event’s Prestige Sponsor, highlighted the global development case for investing in women.  He noted that “Empowering women is not just a matter of equity it’s a catalyst for sustainable development. We are inspired by how these women leaders are shaping a more inclusive future and transforming communities across Guyana.”

Representing the 2025 cohort, Savina Sukhnandan reflected on the significance of being seen and supported:“Thank you for seeing us. Thank you for walking with us and thank you for reminding us that influence begins not with a platform, but with a purpose driven heart,” she said.

A special moment in the ceremony was the announcement of Nazima Raghubir as the 2025 Woman of Excellence, a recognition presented in collaboration with SBM Offshore Guyana, the event’s presenting sponsor. Though she was unable to attend the ceremony, her impactful work in media and community advocacy continues to define the essence of transformative leadership.

Since its founding in 2019, the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award has recognised 150 women whose contributions stretch across sectors and borders. This year’s selection process was guided by a thoughtful panel of judges: Malkia Idal, Kofi Sansculotte, Lila Kirton, and Arti Cameron, who helped shape yet another inspiring cohort.

The success of the 2025 ceremony was made possible by a wide array of sponsors and supporters, including AGM Inc., Gulf Valve, Piping & Control Inc., FullWorks Industrial Park, M&T Bank, Banks DIH Ltd., Republic Bank Ltd., Technip FMC, Massy Stores Guyana Inc., Sexual Assault and Family Education (SAFEGuyana) Inc., Kofi Sansculotte, Joseph D. Roberto, SLB, One Communications, Tropical Construction Solutions, and Morgan’s Learning Centre.

Additional support was provided by PAS Cargo Inc., CAMEX Restaurants Inc., and Jai Signs.  Gratitude was also extended to the event’s volunteers, including students from the University of Guyana, the 25IWLA Event Management Team, and all contributors who played a role in the seamless execution of this powerful gathering.

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