Three Guyanese participated in the Caribbean Canada Leaders Dialogue (CCLD) 2025, an initiative designed to foster leadership development and cross-cultural collaboration between Canada and Caribbean nations.
The Guyanese representatives are Faa’izah Mustafa, Mahendra Phagwah, and Bradley Downer, who served as the Guyana Country Lead.
They engaged in an intensive 10-day tour across Canada and the Caribbean this month, with activities spanning seven Caribbean countries: Dominica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Grenada, Guyana, and Jamaica.
The programme started in Canada and then moved through the Caribbean, providing participants with immersive, front-line interactive learning experiences. These experiences aimed to provoke meaningful dialogue on complex, real-time issues, enhancing the quality and relevance of their decision-making capabilities.
Each country led a tour around a specific theme and sub-themes, encouraging in-depth exploration of critical leadership areas. The trips involved groups of 14 to 16 participants working collaboratively to deepen their understanding and develop actionable insights.
Guyana’s theme was Sustainable Development and Innovation, while the sub-theme was Oil and Gas Infrastructure Projects, and Environmental Sustainability.
Mahendra participated in the Bahamas tour, while Faa’izah Mustafa of the Supreme Court, did the Jamaica tour. Bradley coordinated the Guyana study tour which hosted 11 delegates from across the Caribbean and Canada.
Caribbean Canada Leaders Dialogue Delegate, Faa’izah Mustafa
Mahendra Phagwah is a dynamic and purpose-driven education leader, project manager, and youth advocate from Guyana. At just 27, he serves at the senior level as the National Coordinator for School Feeding at the Federal Level, overseeing nutrition impacting over 49,000 children nationwide. As a first-generation degree holder, Mahendra has charted a path of academic and professional excellence, earning a B.A. in Business Administration, a Master’s in Project Management, and an Executive MBA.
He is a U.S. Department of State Fellow, recognized for his impactful work in food security, education equity, and youth empowerment. His commitment to sustainable development has taken him to both national and international platforms, including the Education Summit at Expo 2020 Dubai and the Community Solutions Program in Washington, D.C. Mahendra also served as a Caribbean researcher for the global youth-led initiative, “By Us For Us: Rewiring Education for a New Generation,” by Dubai Cares & Restless Development where he along with other young change makers co-authored insights and solutions to transform education systems worldwide.
Passionate about creating opportunities for others, Mahendra is also a mentor, disability rights advocate, and a strong believer in youth-led change and public sector innovation. He leads with a clear vision: to build impactful systems that empower youth, dismantle barriers, and drive sustainable change across education and public service.
Mahendra said, “Attending the CCLD 2025 study tour across Canada and the Bahamas was both inspiring and grounding. It reminded me that much of what we are already doing at the Ministry of Education in Guyana, especially through the national school feeding programme, reflects the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, even if we have not always labelled it that way. Each day, our programme reaches over 120,000 students and supports hundreds of women caterers from rural and Indigenous communities. We focus on fair access, local empowerment, and building systems that reflect the needs of our people. The CCLD experience gave me the language and clarity to better articulate, improve and document this work.
In The Bahamas, I saw how institutions like Royal Caribbean and SunCash are intentionally embedding inclusion into tourism, finance, and innovation. These lessons showed how systems can be designed to centre people first and ensure no one is left out.”
For Mahendra, one of the most powerful moments for him was hearing Wes Hall’s story in Canada. Hall grew up on a sugar plantation in Jamaica and became a successful entrepreneur and leader. His journey is proof that where we come from does not limit what we can build.
“It reminded me of why I serve and why we must continue creating space for others to thrive. CCLD 2025 affirmed that in my mind that we are not just delivering meals. We are delivering equity, dignity, and opportunity. And with the right mindset, we can lead in ways that truly transform communities,” Phagwah added.
Caribbean Canada Leaders Dialogue Delegate, Faa’izah Mustafa
Faa’izah Hafeeza Mustafa, is a lawyer who conducts research for the judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana. Beyond her legal work, she’s a true social butterfly, finding joy in meeting new people and fostering connections. Mustafa’s passions lie in environmental stewardship and promoting mental health and wellness.
“Participating in the CCLD 2025 study tour and conference has been nothing short of life-changing. It truly diminished any imposter syndrome I might have had at the beginning of this conference, revealing a significant personal and professional growth. The “Faa’izah” who started this journey is vastly different from the “Faa’izah” who completed it. I’ve emerged as a better version of myself, enriched by a new network of friends and colleagues across Canada and the Caribbean. These invaluable connections mean that I now have access to specialized assistance, and if someone can’t directly help, they’ll undoubtedly point me to someone who can,” Mustafa said.
Her expanded network enables her to support not only the judiciary and her home country of Guyana but also to contribute to collective efforts across Canada and the Caribbean. She;s seen that collaborative partnerships are essential for addressing complex social issues and making a collective impact.Further Mustapha added, “I’m incredibly grateful to have been chosen for this experiential learning tour and conference. Now, as a CCLD 2025 alumnus and a newly empowered leader, I’m ready and eager to dedicate myself to making not just the judiciary or Guyana a better place but the world at large.”
The Caribbean Canada Leaders’ Dialogue (CCLD) 2025 concluded with a closing plenary in Barbados, where groups presented their findings and recommendations based on their country tour.
