Finace Minister to headline ODT Conference at Caribbean leaders explore AI, resilience and transformation

At a time when organisations across the Caribbean are being called upon to rebuild stronger, adapt faster and lead through unprecedented change, Minister of Finance and the Public Service,  Fayval Williams, will deliver the keynote address on Day Two of the annual Organisation Development (OD) Transformation Conference on June 24. 

Her presentation will headline a regional gathering of thought leaders and transformation experts at Summit Kingston, where discussions will focus on harnessing the combined power of social intelligence and artificial intelligence to drive resilience, recovery and sustainable growth.

The Caribbean Centre for Organisation Development Excellence Ltd. (CARI-CODE), (now celebrating 20 years as a regional pioneer advancing Organisation Development), in collaboration with the Caribbean Organisation Development Network (CODN) is the host of the conference.

Given the recent disruptions in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, Minister Williams’ presentation will focus on resilience, recovery and renewal under the Conference’s overarching theme:  “Human Hearts, Digital Minds: Harmonising Transformation – Bridging Social Intelligence (SI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Regenerative Sustainable Change.”

With over 3 decades of experience in high-level finance and real estate management, her core competencies include strategic fiscal planning, asset management and guiding national financial policies as well as guiding Jamaica towards a debt-to-GDP ratio.  

Minister Williams is also known for building an extensive international and local career in asset management and investments, having held roles such as Senior Vice President at Putnam Investments and Vice President at Wellington Management Company in Boston.  

The landmark conference forms part of OD Transformation Week, which was officially proclaimed in 2024 by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen. 

Now in its sixth year, the event continues to serve as a premier forum for advancing organisational development and transformational leadership throughout the Caribbean.

Thought Provoking Topics From a Distinguished Line-Up of Speakers

Through keynote presentations, storytelling, interactive learning labs, and case studies, participants will gain practical frameworks for integrating Social Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence into organisation development strategies that support long-term resilience, adaptability, and regenerative growth.

Among the prominent speakers and presenters are:

• Prof Gilmore “Gil” Crosby, who has practised Organisation Development (OD) since 1984, and in the Caribbean since 1999. An author, Crosby’s seventh and latest publication, Leadership and the Frontline Workforce, teaches the change methods of Kurt Lewin (a pioneering German-American psychologist), illustrated through interviews with frontline workers. 
• Dr Joel Ying, Adjunct Faculty Instructor, Dept of Integrated Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, United States. As an internal medicine physician with a holistic approach, he combines traditional and alternative approaches to health and healing; 
• Luz Longsworth, DBA, Senior Corporate Director, Sandals Corporate University, Sandals Resorts International, is a People Development Focused Leader, Leadership Speaker, Writer and Researcher, Higher Education Leadership specialist.

Among the topics to be explored are: “Technological Trends: Their Impact on Rebuilding With Social Intelligence in a Digital Age”; “Designing Systems Which Amplify Human Potential to Navigate Change – Psychological Insight”; “Ripples: Every Action Starts Somewhere” ; “Dialogues to Actionable Deliverables: Commitments, Partnerships and Measures” among others.

Responding to a World of Disruption

Founder, Chairman and CEO of CARI-CODE, Mrs. Ilsa H. duVerney, said the conference comes at a pivotal moment.

“We are living in a fast-paced era marked by relentless disruptions—technological acceleration, economic uncertainty, climate shocks, and social upheaval. As organisation development practitioners, our role is not simply to react but also to lead, creating frameworks that move beyond quick-fixes toward lasting resilience, recovery, and regeneration.”

Mrs. duVerney noted that the conference is especially timely following the announcement by the Prime Minister regarding the establishment of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) to accelerate rehabilitation efforts and support the country’s commitment to “build back better” in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Launch of the “Beyond Relief” Regenerative Initiative

A major highlight of the conference will be the introduction of the CARI-CODE Beyond Relief Project, a regenerative, medium-term initiative designed to support Jamaica’s rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Melissa.

The initiative draws inspiration from nature-based systems thinking and will focus on: Strengthening roots to ensure lasting growth; Creating conditions for renewal and recovery; Restoring organisational “soil” to support sustainable development and long-term resilience.