The 25 Influential Women Leaders Award (25IWLA) celebrated its Seventh Annual Gala and Dinner on Saturday, 9th May 2026 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown, honouring 25 extraordinary Guyanese women whose leadership is shaping the future of Guyana. The ceremony drew a distinguished gathering of diplomats and civic leaders, including Her Excellency Nicole D. Theriot, U.S. Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; His Excellency Joseph Guy Fisher MBE, British High Commissioner to Guyana; Ambassador Luca Pierantoni, European Union Ambassador to Guyana; and His Worship Dominque Blair, Mayor of Linden.
Co-Founders Lyndell Danzie-Black and Michelle A. Nicholas, alongside Their Excellencies, presented all 25 awards on stage — a historic and powerful moment that underscored the international recognition of women’s leadership in Guyana.
“The future belongs to women who can build trust, lead through change, and create communities where others can thrive.”
— Lyndell Danzie-Black, Co-Founder, 25IWLA | Managing Director, Cerulean Inc.
“Leadership is not about grand gestures. It is about seeing someone and acting — and choosing to help, even when you do not know the ending.”
— Michelle A. Nicholas, Co-Founder, 25IWLA | Founder & CEO, The NICO Consulting
Her Excellency Nicole D. Theriot delivered the featured remarks, noting that among the 175 women honoured by 25IWLA over seven years, many are alumni of the U.S. Embassy programmes.
“When women lead, communities thrive. When women succeed, they lift entire generations. When women are empowered, they create lasting change.” — Her Excellency Nicole D. Theriot, U.S. Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Certificates of Merit issued by the County of Westchester, New York were distributed on behalf of County Legislator Jewel Williams-Johnson and County Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels.
ExxonMobil Guyana, Empire Partner of the Seventh Annual Gala and Dinner, was represented by Attorney Oneka Archer-Caulder who delivered sponsor greetings on the company’s behalf.
“This collaboration of women-owned enterprises identified a national need and responded with vision.”
— Oneka Archer-Caulder, Esq.
This year’s class represents women across medicine, law, education, conservation, entrepreneurship, community development and the arts, from hinterland reservations to national institutions. Dr. Salome Marina Ann Henry, a General Medical Officer whose 38-year career began as a Community Health Worker in the Amerindian village of Malali, Region 10, delivered the Class of 2026 greetings on behalf of all honourees.
The Class of 2026: Dr. Aartie Somwaru-Jhagru, Bonita Lowenfield McDonald, Chandrowtie Sarran, Christell Chesney, Christine Samwaroo, Dellon Patricia Adams, Doneeta Ramlakhan, Jacqueline Cummings Johnson, Jessica Nathalia Callender, Dr. Kamela Bemaul-Sukhu, Kimbely Yearwood, Lenise Morgan, Madonna Ghanie, Marisa Morgan Bonie, Munirah Reedon, Dr. Nandishaw Ramsingh, Dr. Pamela Rose, Dr. Renuka Tewari, Rhonda Maxius-Lansiquot, Dr. Salome Marina Ann Henry, Savitri Tularam-Kaulesar, Sonja Sampson, Dr. Theresa Sarju, Upasna Mudlier, and Younica Sanchara.
The Annual Gala and Dinner was made possible through the generous support of: The NICO Consulting and Cerulean Inc. (Founding Partners); ExxonMobil Guyana (Empire Partner); MODEC (Community Partner); M&T Bank (Access Sponsor); and table sponsors AGM Inc., Ansa McAl Distributions Inc., Banks DIH, Chung Global Inc., GuyOil, Halliburton Inc., Morgan’s Learning Centre, One Communications, PC Consultants Inc., Recover Guyana, Republic Bank Guyana Limited, Tropics Construction Solutions and Demore Garment Factory. Strategic Partners: Guyana Chronicle, Pepperpot Magazine, and Jai Signs (Signage Partner); and Shipping Partner PAS CARGO.
25IWLA also acknowledges all individuals and organisations who submitted congratulatory messages celebrated during the evening, and all who supported this event from across Guyana and the diaspora.
Special thanks to Narda Mohamed Mangra, 2022 25IWLA honouree, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies, and to the 25IWLA event coordination team and volunteers whose dedication made the evening a resounding success.
ABOUT 25IWLA
The 25 Influential Women Leaders Award (25IWLA) is a platform created by The NICO Consulting and Cerulean Inc. to recognise and celebrate women leaders who are shaping the future of Guyana. Now in its seventh year, 25IWLA has honoured over 175 women across all ten administrative regions of Guyana. For more information, visit www.25iwla.com or follow @25InfluentialWomenLeaders on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
