PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – The Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago (HRMATT) recently convened its esteemed Legacy Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, a premier gathering celebrating the profound influence of human resources professionals throughout the Caribbean region. Held on November 29 at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain under the dynamic theme ‘Legacy in Motion,’ the event spotlighted visionary leaders and organizations actively shaping the future of work.
Dubbed the ‘Oscars for HR professionals,’ the ceremony assembled government officials, corporate executives, regional collaborators, and HR practitioners for an evening dedicated to recognition, inspiration, and strategic networking. The 2025 awards specifically highlighted HR management’s transformative role in advancing national development through human capital investment, emphasizing the profession’s growing strategic importance amid rapid technological evolution and shifting workplace expectations.
In her opening address, HRMATT President Cavelle Joseph-St Omer articulated the association’s core mission to empower professionals and foster excellence, asserting that ‘human resources must be at the heart of any economic revitalization.’ She framed ‘legacy in motion’ as a compelling call to action rooted in transformational leadership, advocacy, and innovation.
Senator Leroy Baptiste, Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development, delivered the keynote address, connecting economic diversification directly to workforce preparedness. He challenged HR leaders to champion digital literacy, reskilling initiatives, data-driven talent strategies, and equity-focused practices, reinforcing HR’s critical function as architects of workplace inclusion and well-being.
The Legacy Awards were established to honor HRMATT’s founding visionaries who pioneered HR professionalization in the region, advocating for ethical standards, strategic leadership, and continuous development. This annual celebration reinforces the association’s dedication to preserving its heritage while stimulating innovation in the evolving world of work.
A strategic milestone occurred in 2024 with the establishment of the HR Hall of Fame, designed to preserve historical achievements, inspire excellence through role modeling, and strengthen professional identity by showcasing HR’s impact on organizational success and national development. The 2025 ceremony honored five inaugural inductees: Gordon Draper (posthumously), recognized as HRMATT’s founding father; Dr. Rudrawatee Nan Gosine-Ramgoolam for public service HR reform; Dr. Kwame Charles for organizational development and engagement; Sandra Marchack for employee well-being advocacy; and Dr. Roland Baptiste for learning and culture transformation.
Expanding its regional impact, HRMATT introduced two new Caribbean-wide awards in 2023 recognizing outstanding HR professionals and organizations. Human Resource Management Association of Barbados President Tisha Peters emphasized the necessity of visionary leadership, mentorship, and cross-border partnerships during the proceedings.
The 2025 Legacy Awards celebrated excellence across nine categories, honoring recipients from both public and private sectors. Notable awards included the Gordon Draper Award for Public Service Transformation to Davi Ramkallawan of Nalis, the Maxine Barnett Award for HR Excellence to Dr. Sterling Frost of UWI, and the Coreen Jones Award for Best Place to Work to Regency Recruitment and Resources Ltd. Additional recognitions went to Gerard Pinard, Guardian Shared Services, Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain, Fallon Estrado, Tiersa Smith-Hall, and Republic Bank Ltd.
These awards function as strategic instruments for professional advancement by elevating standards, driving transformation aligned with national development goals, fostering engagement, and building collaborative communities across sectors. As Minister Baptiste observed, ‘Legacy is a challenge, a call, a responsibility’ – a sentiment embodying the evening’s affirmation that HR constitutes not merely a profession but an active legacy continuously evolving to shape inclusive, future-ready workplaces.