Leading Ladies Celebrate International Women’s Day with BDB

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A good governance guru, pageant queen, and financial expert joined the Bahamas Development Bank (BDB) in celebration of International Women’s Day this week.

Under the theme, Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress, A. Cecile Watson, Caline Newton and Chantel O’Brian delved into the importance of investing in yourself, confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome in the workplace, and financial independence respectively.

The Bahamas Development Bank’s Managing Director, Nicholas Higgs, said, “Here at the Bahamas Development Bank, we know well that investing in women is both the right and smart thing to do for the workplace, an employee’s personal growth, and the world at large. As employees immerse themselves in presentations by leading ladies, we know that they are not just gaining tools for personal growth, they are helping lay the building blocks essential for a more equitable and prosperous society.”

Good governance is foundational to the Bahamas Development Bank’s mission of driving sustainable development. It ensures that the bank operates with transparency, accountability, and a deep commitment to ethical practices. A. Cecile Watson is a Development Bank of Jamaica director and all-around professional adept at good governance, best practices, and engineering solutions to treat business performance challenges and opportunities. Soon-to-launch is her signature offer, The Foundations of Good Governance Bootcamp, which targets new and established directors, c-suite leaders, and corporate secretaries who want to uplevel in corporate governance so they can be at their best in the boardroom.

During her presentation, Cecile underscored the importance of a woman knowing her place, holding her place, and keeping her place. She used personal experiences as a tool to reinforce the value women bring to both the workplace, country, and wider world. Cecile also gave tips and key qualities for success.

The final topic, financial independence, echoed the need for courage, resilience, and a willingness to break through the barriers that have historically held women back. Financial coach Caline Newton highlighted that financial independence is not just about having the resources to make choices, but also having the confidence to make those choices wisely and intentionally. Her BDB presentation gave a sneak peek into her brand, Live Life Free, which has empowered women and children nationally and globally to embrace their wealth, design their financial destiny, and establish a lasting financial legacy.

Miss Bahamas Universe 2021 and owner of P.S. O’Brian, Chantel O’Brian, also engaged BDB women based in both New Providence and Grand Bahama. Her lively presentation encouraged participants to enter rooms with confidence, dress for success, be intentional about the company they keep, and work toward the person they wish to be. These and other principles are featured in her free, game changing eBook, Activate Your Aura. It is packed with practical insights, empowers women leaders to exude confidence and build genuine connections.

The bank’s internal International Women’s Day activity precedes an external activity hosted in partnership with the Department of Gender Affairs and an exciting announcement regarding financing for women.

Nicholas Higgs added, “As we look to this Friday’s announcement and to the future, let us remember that the journey towards gender equality is a shared responsibility. It requires the collective effort of men and women alike. It requires a pledge to support one another, to lift each other up, and to work tirelessly towards a world where every woman has the opportunity to achieve her fullest potential.