WOMEN entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders in Region Two were honoured on Saturday evening at the WeLead Association’s Second Annual Women Who Lead Gala and Women in Business Awards.
The event, which was held at the Jaigobin Hotel, Anna Regina, brought together business leaders, regional officials, and key stakeholders to formally recognise the outstanding achievements of women whose leadership and innovation continue to drive economic growth and community development across Region Two.
In her opening remarks, President of the WeLead Association, Abbigale Loncke-Watson, underscored the significance of celebrating women’s leadership through recognition.
Noting that the awards represented more than individual success, she emphasised the spotlighting of the courage, resilience, and influence women have in transforming businesses and communities. She used the opportunity to congratulate all the awardees and said that women are dynamic.
Remarks were delivered on behalf of Regional Chairman Devin Mohan by Councillor Melrose Henry, who congratulated the awardees and reaffirmed the Regional Democratic Council’s support for women-led enterprises and initiatives throughout the Essequibo Coast.
Representing the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI), Swetlana Kingston commended the honourees for their vital contributions to the regional economy, describing them as entrepreneurs, job creators, and community builders whose work strengthens economic resilience in Region Two.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Alista Bishop, business leader and Chair of the European Guyana Chamber of Commerce, who encouraged women to continue investing confidently in their local communities and to pursue excellence from within the region.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the WeLead Outstanding Woman of Excellence Award to Deputy Solicitor-General Shoshanna V. Lall, who expressed heartfelt gratitude and reflected on her enduring connection to Essequibo.
Several women from Region Two were also recognised for excellence across various sectors. Among them were Businesswoman of the Year, Falisha Hakh, who is the founder of Body Haven; Savina Sukhnandan, founder of Lily’s Organics, who received the Leadership Award; Michellina Richmond of Centaur Holdings, who was the recipient of the Excellence in Innovation and Technology Award; Excellence in Agroprocessing Award recipient Rosamund Benn of Pomeroon Rose Products; Junior Entrepreneur of the Year awardee Aissa Dass and Munirah Reedon; and Ms. Esther Riedrkou, who received the President’s Award.
The WeLead Association also acknowledged its sponsors and partners whose support made the awards ceremony possible. Among them were Jaigobin Hotel, Eldorado Trading, Ansa McAL Distribution Inc., the Regional Democratic Office of Region Two, Glo-See Marketing and PR, and G&P Jaigobin and Sons Ltd.
The ceremony concluded on a celebratory note, reaffirming WeLead’s commitment to recognising excellence and advancing women’s leadership and entrepreneurship throughout Essequibo and beyond.
