ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA — A new chapter of gender inclusion and institutional progress has opened for the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board (ABSSB), which has announced the appointment of Joy Dublin Baptiste as the first woman to lead its Board of Directors in the organization’s 51-year history. Since the social security agency was founded in 1973, no woman has ever held the top chair position — making Dublin Baptiste’s appointment a landmark breakthrough for gender representation in the country’s key public governance bodies.
Dublin Baptiste brings a wealth of professional experience, proven leadership capacity, and a long-standing record of commitment to public service to her new role. Beyond the internal leadership change for ABSSB, the appointment is widely viewed as a meaningful step forward for gender parity in Antigua and Barbuda’s statutory bodies and national decision-making institutions.
Dublin Baptiste’s tenure comes at a critical juncture for Antigua and Barbuda’s Social Security Fund. As chair, she will steer the Board through ongoing institutional reform, supporting the organization’s broader push to modernize its operational systems, improve the quality of services delivered to beneficiaries, and protect the long-term financial stability and integrity of the fund.
Alongside Dublin Baptiste, a full cohort of new board members has been sworn in to the ABSSB Board of Directors. The new membership includes Director David Matthias, Alrick Daniel, who serves as the representative for the Antigua & Barbuda Trades & Labour Union, Martin Cave, the Chamber of Commerce representative, Sherryann Brazier, representing the Employers’ Federation, Phylis Davis, who takes on the role of Board Secretary, and Dwayne Edwards, the government’s representative to the board, who will also be sworn in alongside the rest of the group.
Officials have extended warm congratulations to Dublin Baptiste on her trailblazing appointment, and expressed high expectations for the progress and innovation her leadership will bring to the social security system.