Charlene Pedro

Charlene Pedro is an award-winning professional who wears many hats. She leadership development and employee engagement facilitator, coach, international speaker, mentor, radio host and author.

As the Founder and Chief Engagement Officer of Conventus Consultinc, a human resource consultancy based in Trinidad and Tobago, Charlene has spent over a decade partnering with CEOs and managers across local, regional, and international organizations. Through her people-first approach, she helps leaders solve people and performance challenges by designing customized leadership development and employee training programmes.

A passionate advocate for human potential, Charlene is committed to sparking positive change and empowering individuals to grow, lead, and thrive.

She is also the creator of Conversations Over Coffee with Charlene Pedro, a popular breakfast training series that inspires leaders to make a meaningful impact in their workplaces. In 2020, she launched Mastery of Me, an online leadership programme that empowers female executives to elevate their leadership, enhance personal growth, and achieve professional excellence.

Charlene has presented at local, regional, and international conferences. Charlene joined the Trinidad and Tobago delegation at the 62nd sitting of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, in 2018 as moderator. Charlene is the member of Public Relations Committee of the Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago and a Director of Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago, and previously held the roles of Director of the Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago as well as President of the Association of Female Executives of Trinidad and Tobago.

Lara Quentrall-Thomas MBA

Lara Quentrall-Thomas MBA

Well known for her business networking skills and commitment to philanthropy, Lara Quentrall-Thomas is a leading HR and Recruitment services practitioner in Trinidad and Tobago, with more than 30 years experience.

Her role as Founder and Chairman of Regency Recruitment and Resources includes strategic planning, crafting HR service proposals and contracts, negotiating client master service agreements, and curating and facilitating training programs for corporate customers in a range of topics, including performance management, business etiquette, interviewing skills and professional networking. She also spearheads Regency’s ESG and CSR initiatives, including their partnership with COSTAATT to provide employment support and training for formerly incarcerated citizens.

Currently enrolled for Doctoral studies with the University of Trinidad and Tobago, Lara is exploring workplace policies to support female employees experiencing peri-menopause and menopause. Her education includes an MBA from Henley Business School and certificates in Industrial Relations, Labour Law, Behavioural Economics and Contract Law.

Lara currently serves as Human Capital Development Committee Chair on the board of the Private Sector Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago, is a member of the TT Chamber Employment and Labour Relations Committee and HRMATT, and also sits on the Industry Liaison Committee for UWI’s Faculty of Humanities and Education. She is a former Director of the National Training Agency, Office of Procurement Regulation, Youth Business T&T and Economic Advisory Board. She has served on the Board of the AMCHAM T&T and is is the founding President of both the T&T Organisation of

Recruitment Service Providers and the Association of Female Executives of T&T (AFETT). She is an active member of the T&T Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Humanists T&T.

In addition to multiple awards from industry and civil society, Lara was celebrated by the Naparima Girls’ High School Alumnae Association with an Award of Excellence in recognition of her outstanding achievements in business.

A dedicated Rotarian since 1999, Lara is a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation and Past District Governor for Rotary in the Southern Caribbean. She is a training facilitator for incoming club leaders across the region and has managed the annual Model United Nations youth development program for more than 10 years.

Leslie Lee Fook

Leslie Lee Fook is the Director AI, Analytics and Automation, Incus Services Ltd.

Leslie has built quite the reputation for himself in the business world. His revolutionary digital transformation strategies and expert knowledge are unrivalled, making him one of the most sought-after figures on Caribbean shores. His career spans over twenty years with experience in Analytics, Robotic Process Automation, and Artificial Intelligence. Typically serving enterprise and government customers, he aspires to create a globally competitive region using data which positively impacts every Caribbean life! He was also named as an honorary speaker at The CTU’s Prime Minister’s Summit which amassed over 100 leaders from across the region. Leslie believes that we all someday will become data citizens. He hopes to tap into the deeply creative nature of our Caribbean people so we can foster development in a community that’s highly sought after for its talent and expertise, transforming us into the “India for Analytics.”

Joel-Ann Cook-Walcott

ABOUT
JOEL-ANN COOK- WALCOTT

Joel-Ann Cook-Walcott’s journey in Human Resources Management spans over 30 years, igniting her passion for transformative leadership and organizational development.
From her early career at a state enterprise to her present role as the founder and CEO of Persolve Limited, she has navigated diverse sectors, honing her expertise in talent management, organizational transformation, and leadership development.

As a certified DiSC specialist, Joel-Ann leverages her deep understanding of human behaviour to drive impactful change within organizations. Her role at Persolve Limited has been instrumental in advocating for leadership and emotional intelligence to foster inclusive and high- performing work cultures.

Under Joel-Ann’s leadership, Persolve Limited continues to pioneer innovative strategies in instructional design and training, leadership development, organization design, performance consulting, and organization development. Her relentless pursuit of excellence is reflected in her certifications, including PHR from HRCI and SHRM, demonstrating her commitment to continuous development and staying at the forefront of HR best practices.

Her dedication to empowering others extends beyond the boardroom, as she actively engages with postgraduate students, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience.
Joel-Ann is a sought-after speaker at regional and local conferences, where she shares insights on leadership, talent development, and organizational effectiveness.

Driven by a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of continuous learning, Joel-Ann has made performance and learning the cornerstone of her professional journey. She is steadfast in her commitment to unlocking the full potential of individuals and teams, recognizing that learning is a catalyst for driving sustainable performance improvement.

At Persolve Limited, Joel-Ann provides top-notch HR management services to a diverse clientele, empowering leaders and professionals across Trinidad and Tobago and the region. With her unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, Joel-Ann continues to shape the future of HR management, one transformative initiative at a time.