Six standout supervisors and managers from Sandals Grande Antigua have crossed the finish line of the highly regarded Diploma in Hospitality Leadership Programme, a collaborative initiative between Sandals Corporate University (SCU), Accelerating Leaders, and Florida International University (FIU). This graduation marks a key milestone in Sandals Resorts’ long-standing mission to nurture and elevate homegrown Caribbean professional talent.
Over the course of 16 weeks, participants underwent a rigorous, industry-focused leadership development curriculum crafted to build the specialized skills needed to thrive in the fast-evolving global hospitality sector. The graduating cohort draws from core operational departments across the resort, bringing together diverse professional backgrounds: Ryan Casimir, the property’s information technology manager; Chrystel Baker, head of the Red Lane Spa; Dale Thomas, restaurant manager; RoseMarie Taylor, housekeeping supervisor; Odile Dangleben, stores supervisor; and Celia Harrigan, bar supervisor.
To complete the programme’s final requirement, the six emerging leaders traveled to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to present their capstone projects, the culmination of months of academic study, hands-on leadership practice, and team-based problem-solving. The comprehensive curriculum covered five high-impact core areas: Business Analytics, Financial Management, Coaching and Mentoring, Influential Communications, and Advanced Leadership Strategies. Unlike traditional hospitality training programs that rely heavily on abstract classroom theory, this initiative prioritized practical, job-relevant learning, giving participants actionable tools and strategic frameworks that they can immediately implement in their daily roles and across resort operations.
For Chrystel Baker, the programme reshaped her approach to leadership beyond routine departmental management. “This experience pushed me to look beyond day-to-day tasks and clarify the type of leader I aspire to be,” she explained. “I developed a much deeper understanding of how critical strategic thinking, intentional communication, and investing in my team’s growth are to success. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m eager to bring these lessons back to my team and keep growing as a leader.”
The capstone project challenged participants to identify a pressing operational challenge at their home resort, conduct independent research into evidence-based solutions, and develop a practical, scalable implementation plan. This exercise gave the emerging leaders a chance to prove their ability to translate classroom knowledge into real-world business results, a core learning outcome of the programme.
Dale Thomas, the restaurant manager, highlighted the programme’s practical focus as its greatest strength. “What stood out most to me was how directly every lesson connected to the daily challenges we face in our departments,” Thomas noted. “Nothing felt abstract or disconnected from our work. Instead, we were encouraged to dig into our current challenges, analyze the reasoning behind our existing decisions, and find ways to improve operations while keeping both our team members and guests at the center of every choice. The capstone pulled everything together and really tested our ability to turn knowledge into action.”
Celia Harrigan, the bar supervisor, shared that completing the programme marked a meaningful milestone for both her professional and personal growth, leaving her with far greater confidence in her ability to lead at a senior level. “This journey pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best possible way,” Harrigan said. “There were times when the workload felt challenging, but those moments taught me resilience, discipline, and how much we can achieve when we collaborate. It’s changed how I see myself as a leader.”
The successful graduation of the six cohort members reinforces Sandals Resorts’ long-term commitment to investing in Caribbean hospitality professionals and building a robust pipeline of local leadership talent. The partnership with Florida International University, a globally respected higher education institution, adds international academic credibility to the programme and ensures the curriculum aligns with the shifting demands of modern hospitality leadership.
As the six graduates return to their roles at Sandals Grande Antigua armed with new skills and strategic perspectives, resort leaders anticipate they will drive positive growth for their teams and the broader Sandals organization. For the property, the achievement of this cohort is a powerful testament to the depth of local talent across the resort, and what becomes possible when organizations invest in creating clear pathways for team members to learn, grow, and lead.
Beyond earning a professional diploma, the journey from the first module to the capstone presentation in Saint Vincent symbolizes a larger commitment across the Caribbean hospitality industry to invest in local professionals and cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the sector’s future. The six graduates have cemented their place in that pipeline, and their success paves the way for more Sandals team members to pursue advanced leadership development opportunities in the years ahead.