ACTIONINVEST Caribbean Inc., in partnership with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and with funding from the ExxonMobil Foundation, on Wednesday, celebrated the graduation of 150 women entrepreneurs from the Road to Growth programme.
The graduation ceremony took place in the Atlantic Ballroom at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre.

Since its inception in 2021, the programme has been a beacon of empowerment for women entrepreneurs in Guyana, providing them with essential business development and financial literacy skills, a press release said, adding that this year’s cohort marks a significant achievement, reflecting the ongoing commitment to fostering women’s entrepreneurship in the region.
First Lady Arya Ali, in her address to the graduates, applauded their resilience and achievements.

She commended them for their dedication and perseverance, emphasising the crucial role of women in society and pledging her support for gender parity and women’s empowerment initiatives.
“As First Lady, I am committed to advocating for women’s rights and amplifying their voices,” she said, according to the release.
Further, Leanne Baker, Senior Programme Officer for the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, in her remarks, highlighted the impactful collaboration that has driven the programme’s success.
Cherie Blair herself addressed the gathering and used the opportunity to reinforce the importance of women’s economic empowerment.
She praised the participants for their entrepreneurial endeavours and their impact on local communities. “These women are not just creating businesses; they are fostering economic growth and providing essential services,” Blair remarked, before highlighting the programme’s broader societal benefits.

Meanwhile, Allison Rana, Head of the ExxonMobil Foundation, discussed the foundation’s role in supporting women’s entrepreneurship.
Maria Niles from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) spoke on the broader economic impact of such initiatives.
Also present, was British High Commissioner, Jane Miller, a long-time supporter of the programme.
The release added that, throughout the ceremony, personal testimonials from participants highlighted the transformative journey they experienced during the intensive seven-week programme. Their stories underscored the programme’s effectiveness in developing business acumen, leadership qualities, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit among women.

Camille Deokie Gorakh, one of the graduates, shared her personal success story, emphasising the benefits of equity financing.
The event closed with reflections from ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. whose directors reiterated their commitment to continuing and expanding the programme in the country.
The ceremony served as a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and community support in fostering women’s leadership and entrepreneurship in Guyana and beyond, the release added.