BVI Ideas Festival Speakers

Festival Speakers

leading the
conversation

Meet the BVI Ideas Festival speakers. Discover the brilliant minds behind our event. From innovators and thought leaders to storytellers and change-makers, each speaker brings a unique perspective, be they local, regional or from around the globe. Use the filters below to search by name or explore by year.

Ralph Chami

Co-Founder & CEO, Blue Green Future, LLC | USA

Julie Averay Cuesta

Executive Vice President, International Marketing & Communications, Americas – MMGY Global | USA

Peter Cochran

Senior Vice President Yacht Operations, The Moorings & Sunsail | BVI

John Samuel

Director, Virgin Islands Shipping and Maritime Authority | BVI

Don Glenroy Cornish

Director of the National Museum of The Bahamas | The Bahamas

George Weston

Partner & Global Head of Corporate Practice, Harneys | BVI

Katya Herting

Managing Director, Rosewood Little Dix Bay | BVI

Glenford Malone

Deputy Managing Director, BVI Financial Services Commission | BVI

Lodewijk van Setten

Director, DLT Solutions & Trilitech | BVI

Matthew Arnett

Technologist, Diplomat & Creative Economy Architect | The Bahamas

Vijay K. Chitnis

Founder, VCP, LLC | USA

Lavina Liburd

Founder, TigerQi Architecture | BVI

Akeem Pickering

Managing Director, BVI Ports Authority | BVI

Julien Johnson

Owner of Island Time & Former Senior Public Servant | BVI

Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley

Premier of the Virgin Islands | BVI

Joshua Forte

Founder & CEO, Red Diamond Compost Inc. | Barbados

Jeremy McKane

Environmental Entrepreneur & Marine Photographer, CEO of OCN.ai | BVI

Hon. Kye M. Rymer

Minister for Communications and Works | BVI

Dr. Kedrick Pickering

Physician, Int’l. Best-Selling Author & Former Deputy Premier of the BVI | BVI

Rachael Ottier-Hart

Spa & Wellness Leader | Dubai, UAE

Lynette Harrigan, MBE

Liaison Manager, BVI Tourist Board | BVI

Flor Torrijos

Maritime Law Expert & Public Sector Leader | BVI

Elisa Cabrera

Maritime Professional & Registry Expert | BVI

Gorkem Yilmaz

Maritime Engineer & Operations Director | BVI

Marvin E. Flax

Managing Director, OBMI BVI | BVI

Dr. June Soomer

Diplomat, Historian, Advocate for Equity & Sustainable Development | Saint Lucia

Charlotte McDevitt

Executive Director, Green VI | BVI

Hashim Lewis

Soca/Fusion Artist, MC & Content Creator | BVI

Natasha Chalwell

Deputy Director of Tourism, BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission | BVI

Vanessa King

Managing Partner, O’Neal Webster | BVI

Rochelle Lawrence

Entrepreneur, Etiquette Consultant, Coffee Innovator | BVI

Rhodni A. Skelton

Owner/Operator, Serves Up | BVI

Jade Allison Straker

Entrepreneur & Brand Builder | BVI

Marisa Malone

Educator, Innovator & Brand Strategist | BVI

Sharon Flax-Brutus

Managing Partner, Virgin Gorda Villa Rentals | BVI

Colin O'Neal

Lawyer, CEO of JOMA (Properties) Ltd. | BVI

Michelle Denogean

Chief Marketing Officer, Mindtrip | USA

Patlian Johnson

Director of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, HLSCC | BVI

Clyde Lettsome

Company Executive, Oil Nut Bay; Chairman, National Parks Trust | BVI

Dr. Justin Ram

Chief Executive Officer & Lead Economist, Justin Ram Advisory Associates Inc. | Barbados

Adenike Sicard

Managing Partner, Boutique Law Firm | BVI

Jahnai Caul

Agripreneur & Environmental Advocate, Caul Green Agribusiness | BVI

Kim Takeuchi

Executive Director, Unite BVI | BVI

Dr. Calisa Cruickshank

GP & Endocrinology Specialist | BVI

Sophie Stanton

Cultural Strategist & Contemporary Art Advocate | BVI

Gorvey Henry

Hospitality Expert & Culinary Educator

Naudia Turnbull

Marketing & Cultural Communications Strategist | BVI

Sagi Haviv

Partner & Designer of Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv | USA

Dr. Richard Georges

President of HLSCC | BVI

Shera Mungroo

Chief Product Officer for Guardian Group | Trinidad & Tobago

Hon. Mark Brantley

Premier of Nevis | Nevis

Neera Tanden

CEO of the Center for American Progress | Washington DC

New speakers are added regularly — subscribe to the mailing list to see who’s joining us next.