THE 25 Influential Women Leaders Award (25IWLA) marked a milestone in its recognition of outstanding female achievement last Saturday when it hosted its Seventh Annual Gala and Dinner at the Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown, honouring 25 extraordinary Guyanese women whose leadership continues to shape the nation’s future.
The evening, according to a press release, drew a distinguished diplomatic and civic gathering, including Nicole D. Theriot, U.S. Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; Joseph Guy Fisher MBE, British High Commissioner to Guyana; Luca Pierantoni, European Union Ambassador to Guyana; and Dominque Blair, Mayor of Linden.
Co-Founders Lyndell Danzie-Black and Michelle A. Nicholas joined envoys on stage to present all 25 awards in what was described as a historic moment underscoring international recognition of women’s leadership in Guyana.
U.S. Ambassador Theriot delivered the evening’s featured remarks, observing that among the 175 women honoured by 25IWLA over its seven-year history, many are alumni of U.S. Embassy programmes.
“When women lead, communities thrive. When women succeed, they lift entire generations. When women are empowered, they create lasting change,” she said.
Co-Founder Danzie-Black, who also serves as Managing Director of Cerulean Inc., captured the spirit of the occasion in her address, noting: “The future belongs to women who can build trust, lead through change, and create communities where others can thrive.”
Her fellow Co-Founder Nicholas, Founder and CEO of The NICO Consulting, added: “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.”
ExxonMobil Guyana served as Empire Partner of the Seventh Annual Gala and Dinner, with Attorney Oneka Archer-Caulder representing the company and delivering sponsor greetings.
“This collaboration of women-owned enterprises identified a national need and responded with vision,” Archer-Caulder remarked.
Certificates of Merit issued by the County of Westchester, New York were also distributed on behalf of County Legislators Jewel Williams-Johnson and Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, extending recognition of the honourees to the diaspora.
This year’s group represented a broad cross-section of Guyanese society, spanning medicine, law, education, conservation, entrepreneurship, community development, and the arts, from hinterland to coastland.
Honourees of 2026 greetings were delivered by 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.
The 2026 honourees were: 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 gala was made possible through the support of Founding Partners The NICO Consulting and Cerulean Inc., Empire Partner ExxonMobil Guyana, Community Partner MODEC, Access Sponsor M&T Bank, and a wide array of table sponsors including 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 included Guyana Chronicle and its PepperPot Magazine, with Jai Signs as Signage Partner and PAS CARGO as Shipping Partner.
The evening was hosted by Narda Mohamed Mangra, herself a 2022 25IWLA honouree, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies. The 25IWLA team extended special thanks to its coordination team and volunteers whose efforts, organisers said, made the evening a resounding success.