Breaking cycles, building futures

Growing up, I saw how intelligence and talent were never enough to escape poverty. Some of my classmates were brilliant, yet many never made it to secondary school, let alone university. Not because they lacked ability, but because the systems around them did not support them. That reality troubled me deeply and it stayed with me. I wanted to help change it. UNICEF’s mission to protect the rights of every child gave me the platform to design policies and programmes that dismantle barriers and level the playing field.

Today, I see myself as a mover, a catalyst, someone who wants to break the cycle of poverty that passes from one generation to the next. No child’s future should be determined by the circumstances they are born into. My work is about making sure that evidence is not just numbers on a page, but something that drives decisions and becomes life-changing programmes. Whether in the Caribbean or beyond, my purpose is to help build systems that uphold dignity, open doors, and give every child the chance to thrive.

At UNICEF, I work to ensure the most vulnerable are not only counted, but truly seen. I generate evidence on poverty, exclusion, and social vulnerability, then use it to shape policy, strengthen national systems, and secure resources for those who need them most. This often means working with governments, UN partners, civil society, and communities to design child-sensitive and shock-responsive social protection programmes. The goal is simple: a society where everyone can live with dignity and opportunity.

One of my proudest moments came in Trinidad and Tobago, when I supported the government in completing the country’s first comprehensive child poverty analysis. On paper, it was a study. In reality, it became the foundation for a national child poverty reduction strategy that will guide budgets, policies, and programmes for years to come. Knowing that this work will shape how a nation invests in its children’s future is deeply rewarding.

Outside of UNICEF, I am a mother, wife, singer, worship leader, and volunteer. My faith, family, and community shape who I am. I believe even the smallest act of kindness can create ripples that last. My ultimate goal is to leave behind systems and communities that outlive me, and to help raise leaders who will carry the work of justice, equity, and resilience forward.