2025 Making Waves Award Recipients Announced

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – 3 August 2025 – Eleven Caymanians were recently recognised for their outstanding achievements and contributions on the global stage. The honourees were celebrated at the Cayman Connection 4th annual Making Waves Awards, held on 31 July at the Harquail Theatre. The awards highlight individuals who are making a significant impact in their respective fields while proudly representing the Cayman Islands abroad.

 “I’m delighted with the turnout for our 4th annual Making Waves Awards. It was a truly special and emotional evening,” said Kate Kandiah Cayman Connection Founder. “The awardees have done tremendous work overseas and they hold Cayman string in their hearts, always wherever they are, and this must be celebrated. We are very much looking forward to our fifth year and hope even more people will get involved.”

Five of the 11 awardees were on hand to collect their awards while the others had friends, family members and/or colleagues represent them. A common theme among the acceptance speeches from the awardees or their proxies was the strong connection to home and the love of country.

“I am feeling really emotional, honoured and humbled. We have such incredible Caymanians across the world; I am amazed at the calibre of our people,” said actress, cultural ambassador and storyteller Rita Estevanovich in her acceptance speech. “It’s important to note that we started right here, across these three islands. There’s something very special about this place. There’s something good in the water. To the young people, I say don’t discount home. Do the work here. You can have the international stage as well, but it starts here and then note to self: come back home.”

Suahil Housholder, who until recently was the Vice President for Finance and CFO at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana and is now transitioning to the role of Chief Financial Officer at Butler University in Indiana, was also on hand to accept her Making Waves Education Award, sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Training.

 “I’m a very proud Caymanian. Whenever I present myself and I say who I am, I always say I am from the Cayman Islands, and they know it and I’m proud of it. And although I don’t live here anymore, my heart is always here,” said Housholder. “I wish I wasn’t so emotional, but that’s just how much this means to me.”

Gabriella Hernandez, who lives in Spain, is Head of Communications & Sustainability at Metta, a company that supports entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation through research and programmes. Unable to join in person, her mother, Angelyn Hernandez, accepted the Bullish-sponsored STEM Award on her behalf and brought greetings from Gabriella.