The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (Amcham TT) is urging businesses to prioritize mentorship programmes as a strategic tool for building stronger, more equitable, and resilient organizations. This call was made by Amcham TT President Anna Henderson during the virtual launch of the 8th Annual Women in Leadership Mentorship Programme (WILMP), a collaborative initiative with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Henderson emphasized that mentorship should be viewed as a strategic imperative rather than a mere ‘nice-to-have.’ She highlighted its role in dismantling barriers, challenging biases, and operationalizing gender equity. This year’s programme has achieved a milestone with 87 mentees and 68 mentors, marking the highest participation since its inception. The strong turnout reflects a growing recognition of mentorship as a catalyst for leadership development, professional growth, and workplace gender equity.
The WILMP is specifically designed to address the persistent challenges women face in advancing to senior leadership roles. Female professionals are paired with experienced business leaders across various industries to foster personal and professional growth through structured mentoring relationships. Henderson noted that mentorship transforms obstacles into opportunities, fostering mutual growth for both mentors and mentees.
IDB Chief of Operations Terry-Ann Segree-Brown reiterated the bank’s commitment to inclusive leadership, emphasizing the transformative power of mentoring relationships in inspiring confidence and driving professional growth. Greer Quan, President of Guardian Shared Services Ltd and Amcham TT Vice President, encouraged participants to lead with authenticity, resilience, and compassion, highlighting the importance of generosity and kindness in leadership.
The 2025/2026 WILMP will span six months, pairing female professionals from diverse industries with mentors from both the private and public sectors. The programme will focus on setting professional goals, developing leadership skills, and advancing personal growth to help women achieve their career ambitions. Since its inception, the programme has cultivated a thriving community of women leaders, fostering collaboration, confidence, and empowerment to reshape Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership landscape.