St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ national investment promotion body Invest SVG has announced a landmark leadership transition, naming homegrown global finance expert Anna C. Young as its eighth executive director. Young’s appointment marks the start of a transformative new chapter for the agency, expanding its core mission far beyond traditional foreign direct investment outreach to incorporate three key new priorities: boosting local export and trade growth, unlocking capital from the country’s global diaspora, and strengthening the nation’s profile as a top-tier destination for international financial services investment.
A native of Layou, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Young’s professional roots stretch back to local media and public service early in her career. She got her start in the workforce as a news reporter at NBC Radio, collaborating with some of the nation’s most prominent media figures, including industry veterans Chester Connell, Nichole Hadaway, and the late Glen Jackson and Nina Maloney. From 1992 to 1995, she also served as an information cadet at the Government Information Service, the public communications body now reorganized as the Agency for Public Information.
To build specialized expertise for her career, Young migrated to the United States to pursue advanced higher education, going on to accumulate an impressive academic and professional profile across multiple continents. She holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from Alabama A&M University in the U.S., and a Master of Science in project analysis, finance and investments from the University of York in the United Kingdom. She later completed legal studies at UWE Bristol Law School, and was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales by one of the UK’s most prestigious professional Inns of Court, Gray’s Inn. Young also holds accreditation as a civil and commercial mediator from the leading global alternative dispute resolution body ADR Group.
Over more than 20 years working internationally, Young has built a distinguished track record in finance and corporate strategy across top global financial institutions. She held a key leadership role as Assistant Vice President of Finance at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where she worked with a specialized team focused on addressing and reducing regulatory risks stemming from federal policy mandates. Prior to that, she held multiple progressive roles at American Express, including Senior Investment Manager, Pricing and Marketing Capabilities Manager, and Senior Financial Analyst, leading cross-functional revenue growth projects and supporting C-suite strategic decision-making. Early in her global career, she worked as an investment analyst at Lehman Brothers, supporting senior banking teams with core financial analysis and due diligence.
A graduate of St. Vincent Girls’ High School, Young says her connection to her home country has remained central to her professional and personal identity throughout her years abroad. “I am proud to be a Vincentian,” she shared in comments following her appointment. “My passion for excellence blossomed at an early age, being a product of the St. Vincent Girls’ High School before pursuing other endeavours in my education and career.”
Reflecting on her return to take up the new role, she added: “after living abroad for so many years and gaining most of my professional experience overseas, nothing brings me greater joy than returning home to share my knowledge with my Vincentian people. There is so much potential for growth, and with the amazing team at Invest SVG, we are uniquely poised for greatness. I am humbled to serve my country.”
Young succeeds Glen Beache, a former tourism minister whose tenure with the agency concluded in December 2024.