ROSEAU, Dominica – In a landmark gathering for youth empowerment in the Caribbean nation, the Girl Guides Association of Dominica (GGAD) has confirmed a refreshed executive leadership lineup following its 2026 Annual General Meeting and Business Session, held June 19. The newly elected board members will serve three-year terms, joining existing sitting officers to advance the organization’s decades-long mission of building confidence, leadership skills, and community engagement among girls and young women across the country.
At the top of the new leadership slate is Abigail Christmas, who will step into the role of Chief Commissioner – marking a historic milestone for GGAD, as Christmas becomes the youngest person to hold the position in the association’s history. The full roster of newly elected leaders also includes Valencia Webb, who takes on dual roles as Deputy Chief Commissioner and Treasurer; Cecilia Christmas as International Commissioner; and Keziah Darwton as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.
Webb, who served 10 years in the top post of Chief Commissioner before this leadership transition, will bring her decades of institutional knowledge and experience to the new deputy role, and has publicly expressed full confidence in Christmas and the broader incoming team. The mixed lineup of returning and new officials is framed by GGAD leadership as a deliberate balance of organizational continuity and fresh perspective, designed to steady the movement while opening space for new ideas.
In her first public address after the election result was confirmed, Christmas spoke to her long-rooted connection to the Guiding movement, which has spanned local, regional, and international levels of the organization. “Girl Guiding teaches that no dream is too big or too far away,” she said. “I am honored to serve in this capacity and to continue building opportunities for girls and young women in Dominica… The Guiding movement has shaped my leadership journey, and I remain committed to ensuring that every girl sees herself as capable, powerful, and prepared to lead.”
Christmas added that her cross-scale experience within the movement has deepened her personal commitment to expanding youth empowerment and advancing gender equity across Dominica. The other newly elected officials also echoed this commitment: Cecilia Christmas and Keziah Darwton both shared public remarks thanking GGAD members for the trust placed in them, and pledged to uphold the core mission and values of the Guiding movement in their new roles.
Existing executive members who will continue their tenure through the next term include President Josette Seraphine-Hedrington, Vice President Marcia Dublin, Secretary Nailah Hurtault, Public Relations Officer Merkwan Pacquette, Training Commissioner AnnMarie Graneau, Brownie Commissioner Alicia Griffith, Deputy Brownie Commissioner Rose Caprice, Roseau District Commissioner (Cecilia Christmas, who also retains this post alongside her new international role), Rainbow Leader Agnes Laguerre, and Youth Representative Keziah Darwton, who also holds her new assistant secretary/treasurer position.
GGAD remains fully aligned with the guiding principles of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, and the organization reaffirmed its core commitment to nurturing growth among young women through hands-on leadership opportunities, community service projects, advocacy for equity, and targeted personal development programming. In a formal press release announcing the election results, the association extended official congratulations to all newly elected leaders, noting it anticipates a productive, transformative three-year term that will expand reach and impact for girls across the island.
The release closed with gratitude to local media for their ongoing coverage and support of the movement, as well as recognition for the hundreds of members, unit captains, volunteers, and community supporters whose consistent work continues to strengthen the Guiding movement across every district of Dominica.