Panel Session: Unlocking T&T’s ICT Potential for Global Markets
Camille Selvon is an award winning digital media expert with specialization in animation and new media. She graduated from Goldsmiths University London, where she won the Royal Television Society Award for her student short ‘The MasterPEACE.’ Currently she is the lead for Animation Studies at The University of Trinidad and Tobago and the Project Manager for the TTAP Factory, an IDB funded animation and technology hub at the UTT flagship Tamana Campus.
In 2015 she was nominated for the Commonwealth Foundation Women in Business Award and has received several accolades as a digital activist, where she uses technology to impact the lives of at-risk-youths in the Caribbean. Her activism has taken her to prisons in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and homes for girls in Suriname and Guyana. Her purpose is to close the digital divide in the Caribbean and by extension the world. Ms Selvon was instrumental in the development of two CXC CAPE Curriculum programmes, one in Animation and the other in Digital Media. She currently serves as an Assistant Chief Examiner at CXC Caribbean Examination Council where she has served for over 12 years.
As founding director of Animae Caribe Animation and Digital Media Festival her leadership in the industry in the region, is recognized globally. Having spoken at many international platform and most notably the recent Inter-American Development Bank Annual General Meeting where she spoke on the development of the sector in the Caribbean. The IDB funded hub is a platform for the creation of digital content, with the intention of attracting global outsourcing opportunities for students and small and micro studios. It is designed to position the Caribbean in the global digital pipeline.
Vashti Guyadeen’s career spans over two decades, encompassing research and development, policy design, SME development, global and institutional competitiveness, and international relations. Prior to her current position at the TTCSI, she held esteemed roles in academia, the public and private sectors, working with organizations such as the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business, Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Economic Development Board, Trinidad and Tobago International Financial Centre, and Ministries of Energy and Public Administration.
Her significant contributions include serving as the lead researcher for Trinidad and Tobago’s inaugural participation in the World Economic Forum’s “Global Competitiveness Report” in 2006. She was also the
visionary behind the country’s first comprehensive statistical digest on the Energy sector in 2010, demonstrating her forward-thinking approach.
Vashti has successfully led numerous projects in collaboration with international development agencies such as the Inter-American Development Bank, UNECLAC, and the World Bank. Her impressive track record showcases her ability to develop research products that empower the business community to make informed decisions.
With an academic background that includes an undergraduate degree in History, a Master’s degree in International Relations and History, and a Postgraduate diploma in the Promotion of Financial Markets,
Vashti’s current focus is on revamping and redefining the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries. Her aim is to establish it as the leading authority on trade in services within the region. Over
the past four-plus years, she has led the development of T&T’s first national exporters services registry and portal, while also overseeing the compilation and analysis of data on the services sector. She is a staunch advocate for the expansion of the services economy in the Caribbean, emphasizing the importance of cultivating an export oriented mindset. Furthermore, she believes in regional collaboration and actively supports the seamless movement of professionals within the region.
Apart from her professional roles, Vashti holds respected positions within several organizations and councils. These include the Advisory Board of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade at The
University of the West Indies, Cavehill Campus, Barbados; Ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago of the Pan African Leadership Institute (PALI), Ghana, the National Quality Council of Trinidad and Tobago; the NOVA Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce; and the Soroptimist International Couva Club. Additionally, she proudly serves as the Chairperson for the National Quality Awards of Trinidad and Tobago 2023, showcasing her commitment to promoting excellence.
Vashti’s illustrious career, notable achievements, and active involvement in various organizations exemplify her invaluable contributions to research and development, policy design, international trade, and the growth of Trinidad and Tobago’s services economy. Her dedication to regional collaboration and her advocacy for the advancement of professionals within the Caribbean highlight her commitment to fostering a prosperous and integrated regional community.
Neville Alexander, Assistant Director of Trade Promotion and Development (Ag.) at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, brings over 20 years of trade policy and negotiation experience. During his tenure, he has played a key role in the development of Trinidad and Tobago’s last two Trade Policies and led negotiations with regional and global partners in areas such as services and government procurement and Innovation. Currently, Mr. Alexander is intimately involved in initiatives geared at improving the country’s non-energy export performance including the Export Booster Initiative and the implementation of the national Services development strategies for the Postal and Courier, Tourism and Professional services sectors. He holds a Master’s of Science Degree in International Trade Policy, a Diploma in International Relations, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of the West Indies.
Kendall Tull, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for Teleios Systems Limited, has over twenty-five years of experience in senior management roles in both the public and private sector. He has extensive experience in the ICT field, dating to the being part of the team implementing the first Hospital Information System at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex back in the early 1990s. He has worked with companies such as Methanex Trinidad and Deloitte Canada in the development and testing of IT policies and controls. Kendall has also served as Chief Executive Officer of iGovTT. During his tenure, he spearheaded the official launch of the Cabinet-approved National ICT Plan 2012-2017. Currently, in his role as CCO at Teleios Systems Limited, he takes responsibility for business and product development. He oversees the deployment of digital transformation, customer experience, and digital marketing solutions to clients both locally and regionally.
Tracy Hackshaw, Director, TTMAG
Panel Session: Training for Digital Transformation
Carlton Samuels is an international consultant with an extensive body of work in areas of strategy. policy, process innovation and governance with focus on ICT4D, technology in education and privacy. He is also actively involved in defining telecommunications policy and regulation as well as Internet policy via the policy development process related to the Internet’s Domain Name System.
He has held several senior executive positions in private sector and academic environments. He serves and has served on several Boards and Committees related to manufacturing, education, library and information. He serves on boards of three private sector companies where he chairs the Compensation and Strategy Committees. He has advanced degrees and diplomas from Purdue, George Mason University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Kern Elliott is an accomplished software development professional with a passion for implementing transformative digital solutions for the public sector. As Team Lead of Software Development at iGovTT, Kern has spearheaded impactful technology innovations, including Trinidad and Tobago’s first government omnichannel live chat and chatbot system (ttGovChat) and leading the government’s first hackathon (HackTT). These initiatives have empowered public agencies, streamlined IT delivery, and improved citizen engagement. Kern’s vision extends beyond Trinidad and Tobago, aiming to transform IT solutions across CARICOM countries. His leadership and strategic direction in technology are driving significant change in the Caribbean’s public sector.
Kern also attained a Prime Minister’s Special Award for Scientific Ingenuity in 2015. His expertise includes system analysis, product management, data analytics, and conversational AI.
Lorcan Camps: A visionary tech entrepreneur whose 30-year odyssey spans the high-tech environment of LA and Silicon Valley to the vibrant shores of the Caribbean. Lorcan isn’t just about technology; he’s about transforming visions into tangible, cutting-edge realities for businesses.
He is presently the CEO of Nio Digital, a fast growing company dedicated to helping companies digitally transform their entire operation using a Digital Business Platform.
He also serves as the Chairman of the Digital Business Technology committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Experience Summary:
Global Tech Innovator: Lorcan’s entrepreneurial spirit has flourished in the form of five startups, bridging the innovative ecosystems of California and the Caribbean. Each venture showcases his knack for groundbreaking tech solutions and market acumen. Some of you may have heard of the more successful ventures – Infotech Caribbean, Inova Corporation, Resonance Trinidad and Nio Digital to name a few.
Revolutionizing business with Nio Digital: At the helm of Nio Digital, Lorcan is redefining the digital landscape for local businesses. Implementing ERP and CRM solutions, it’s not just about technology — he’s transforming these businesses into digital leaders.
AI Platform Architect: Lorcan is currently channeling his expertise into building an AI platform designed specifically for SMEs. This platform is poised to be a game-changer, opening doors to local and international markets and empowering businesses with the prowess of AI.
Software Project Virtuoso: With a vast portfolio of hundreds of software projects, Lorcan combines technological innovation with strategic business insights, delivering solutions that resonate across diverse industries.
Key Skills:
Digital Transformation: Lorcan’s approach transcends traditional strategies, integrating Vision, Strategy and Technology to guide businesses into a new digital epoch.
Business Digital Transformer: His expertise lies in transforming businesses digital challenges into success stories, leveraging technology to unlock new potentials.
Agile Proponent: Embracing Lean & Agile methodologies, Lorcan ensures that his approach to software development and project management is both effective and adaptable to evolving business needs.
Jacqueline Morris, Director, TTMAG
Panel Session: Beyond Fintech: Navigating T&T’s Current Trends Towards the Next Financial Wave
Wesley Gervais is a dynamic full-time global explorer since 2017, venturing through 30+ countries to understand diverse cultures. With a background in computing and startup innovation, Wesley has honed expertise in blockchain and web3 technologies. His passion for finding solutions and changing lives led him to play a pivotal role, during his travels, in architecting and co-building goStables, an open source stablecoin protocol for the Caribbean and proof of concept bank, earning DeFi awards at Tron blockchain hackathons in 2022 and 2023.
As a traveler and blockchain researcher, Wesley shares insights on blockchain technologies, advocating for financial inclusion and empowerment.
Wesley’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through his past role as the Founder of Hivesource (2012-2018), where he transformed his BSc final project for a freelancing marketplace, into a multi-award-winning web service with global recognition. During this period he has been a speaker at various local and international entrepreneurship events.
Wesley brings a calm and multi-dimensional perspective to situations, embodying the change he wishes to see in the world. As a quick learner and environmental adapter, he continues to explore, innovate and contribute to the intersection of technology, culture, and positive change on a global scale.
Carlos Newton is responsible for planning and implementing strategies that aid in the development of the FinTech sector through initiatives of One FinTech Avenue, the region’s premier FinTech innovation center.
He Brings over 12+ years of senior leadership experience that includes Operations Management, Customer Service Management, Business Management. He brings also brings wealth knowledge within the FinTech industry.
He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Bedfordshire (UK)
Lystra Lucillio is currently the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC) which has oversight of the local capital market. With over twenty-five (25) years’ experience in information technology, insurance and banking, finance and the securities regulatory environments, she continues to represent the TTSEC at major regional and international fora promoting collaboration and information-sharing among securities regulators and within the financial sector.
Ms. Lucillio holds an MBA in Finance (honours), an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Management Studies (honours), CFA Claritas Certification among other academic and professional credentials.
Panel Session: The AI We Want – Where Is It At and Where is it Heading?
Dr. Craig Ramlal was named an expert of Artificial Intelligence by the United Nations and currently serves on the United Nations Secretary General’s High Level Advisory Body for AI. The body’s recommendations are crucial in enabling governments and corporations to properly react to the expanding world of artificial intelligence. He is the principal investigator of the intelligent systems laboratory, leads the control systems group and is the postgraduate studies and research coordinator at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of The West Indies. He also serves as a technical advisor to regional bodies on AI and autonomous systems and has published several peer reviewed journal articles and conference papers in novel intelligent systems and their applications.
Some of his impactful contributions include acting as a regional coordinator to develop open data strategies for Caribbean nations in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and NASA. He led collaborative projects among the Ministry of Health, the University of the West Indies and the University of Florida to develop ventilators, CPAP and intelligent air decontamination and recirculation devices, with the aim of reducing COVID-19 transmission. With researchers from Tallinn University, he developed industrial artificial intelligent diagnostic tools that are implemented on Estonia’s national grid and with Rutger’s University researchers designed corporative robotic systems to transport objects on deformable materials.
He completed his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering through a split-site programme between the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Ramlal’s research primarily focuses on Control Theory, Artificial Intelligence, and Game Theoretic Systems.
Javed Sajad is a Technology Lawyer and Consultant from Trinidad and Tobago working across the Caribbean, USA, United Kingdom and Europe in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation and Policy. He is certified in Artificial Intelligence Policy and has researched with the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Policy in Washington D.C. He undertakes empirical research on national AI policies and assessments of AI regulation in Europe, United Kingdom and the USA. Drawing on his experience he designs AI strategies and policies to future-proof organizations against AI disruption. He builds robust compliance frameworks for AI standards and develops effective regulatory landscapes that foster innovation while mitigating risks. Through the University of Oslo, Norway, he produced research into the intersection of AI sandboxes and the integration of human rights principles, shaping a promising venture for innovation, law and technology.
During his eight-plus-year tenure at the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago, he has developed Cybersecurity legislation and amendments to the Data Protection legislation. He has served as a Legal Counsel on the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago Joint Select Committee for the Cybercrime Bill. Javed’s academic excellence is evident in his recent achievement of a Master of Laws from the University of Oslo, Norway. He acquired a deeper expertise in technology law, focusing on Robot Regulation, Privacy and Data Protection, and Cybersecurity Regulation.
Dr. Curtis B. Charles, as Dean and Director of Academic Affairs at The University of the West Indies Five Island Campus, actively oversees multiple schools including the School of Science, Computing and Artificial Intelligence, the School of Business and Management, The School of Humanities and Education, and the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences. He also leads the institutional effectiveness initiatives and manages sponsored research and programs.
Collaborating with premier American universities such as Harvard, MIT, and the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Dr. Charles spearheaded initiatives, and the development of innovative academic programs in AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Generative Pharmacy. Dr. Charles is the Lead for Generative AI for Good Research Cluster, and the architect of The University of the West Indies inaugural Artificial Intelligence Research Conference which will be held in Antigua and Barbuda from July 8 – 10, 2024.
With a prestigious career over 25 years, Dr. Charles has served in both academic and corporate technology sectors in the US, assuming roles such as faculty member, department chair, dean, senior academic officer, associate vice chancellor for institutional transformation, and university president. As a Strategy and Change Executive Consultant at IBM Global Services, he directed business transformation projects across Asia, Europe, and the US. At Microsoft Services, he collaborated with associates to craft digital transformation solutions as a Solution Architect and Data Scientist, focusing on the government, education, and defense sectors. Additionally, as Vice President for Research, Development, and Innovation at RLM Communications, he was responsible for pioneering new products and services in analytics, AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity.
Dr. Charles holds an impressive academic pedigree with degrees from MIT, Howard University, Morgan State University, and Northwestern University, complemented by professional certifications from Harvard and MIT in areas such as education management, big data, performance assessment, and machine learning. His advanced degrees encompass Higher Education Administration, Predictive Analytics, Architecture Design, and Architecture Sciences in Building Technology.
