Ayanda Jones is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, having studied International Relations and International Law. In the final year of her degree she enjoyed running the Edinburgh Law Society for non-LLB students and volunteering for the British United World College national committee alongside her studies. As Global Lead Student Ambassador, Ayanda is a point of contact for all Student Ambassadors and Caymanian students.

Julian is a current Master’s student of Urban Planning at the National University of Singapore and a graduate of Politics and International Relations from the University of Kent. Diverse professional experience and community involvement have reflected his passions for connecting cultures, preserving heritage and sustainable development.

In his free time, Julian enjoys studying languages, spending time outdoors, and reading. Since moving to Singapore, Julian is eager to explore the region, deepen cultural understanding, and build connections supporting the Caymanian community in Asia.

A North Side native, Gabriella “Gabbie” King joins us as Student Ambassador for Canada. She is currently studying in Toronto, Canada at York University, majoring in Cinema Media Arts (Screenwriting) and Political Science.

Kayla Jeffers is currently entering the second year of her undergraduate degree at the University of Brighton, studying Business Management with Human Resource Management. She is an avid member of her school’s student union acting as course rep for Business Management with HRM. In this role she helps to create positive change within her university and ensure that students’ voices are heard.   

Celine Webster is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Business and Laws at the University of Exeter. Believing in the power of shared experiences, she values the connection to her community while embarking on her second year. Linking arms with fellow members, guiding them through a vibrant university journey that blends academics, the local social scene, and the Cayman community. 

Jared McGill currently lives in Canada. He migrated to Canada in Fall 2017 to complete his undergraduate degree in Business from Trinity Western University. While Jared holds an Associate of Arts degree from the University College of the Cayman Islands, and a Bachelor of Business degree from Trinity Western University, in the near future, he hopes one day to become lawyer.

Jared enjoys rappelling, hiking, travelling to countries and hanging out with friends.

Cayman born and former Miss Teen Cayman Islands, Suahil now resides in Anderson, Indiana with her family. Suahil currently serves as the Financial Controller for Anderson University and is a doctoral student in Higher Education at Ball State University.

As Regional Manager for the US (Higher education focused), she is growing the Cayman Connection (US) group.

Born in Grand Cayman, founder of the Cayman Bullying Project, and co-founder of Cayman Anti-Crime Trust (Youth ACT), Paula now resides in Jackson, Tennessee with her daughter. 

Paula received her Master’s in Social Work from Union University in Jackson, TN. She currently works as a Forensic Social Worker with the 26th Judicial District Public Defender’s Office working with indigent clients. 

Over the last decade Kevin Watler has served as a spokesperson, webmaster, social media manager, journalist, radio broadcaster and television anchor.

He’s worked in the private, public and voluntary sectors and accumulated experience in crisis management, public health, photography, videography, website design, website development, business management, marketing and public relations.

Knowing that marketing is her passion, Leah didn’t want to stop at a Bachelors – she has decided to continue her studies abroad to achieve a Masters in Marketing at Nottingham Trent University. Leah is a creative individual with a goal to become Head of Marketing in a well-known agency, or an entrepreneur of her own marketing agency. Her hobbies include photography and travelling, and Leah is now interning with Cayman Connection to assist with the promotion of programmes across social platforms.

Rosita Ritch is a graduate of the University of Surrey, having graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Management (Marketing). She is an aspiring marketing manager whose hobbies include yoga, volunteering, baking, and recreational athletics.

She also takes part in Girl Power Cayman, and at university was part of the the business society and cheerleading club. 

Brianna Solomon is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in BA Marketing located at the University of Leicester. Brianna is a passionate individual from the Cayman Islands.

Apart from academics, she delights in reading books by the tranquil beach and actively engages in community service projects in Leicester. Brianna’s well-rounded nature also extends to her love for scrapbooking, showcasing her creativity alongside her academic and personal commitments.  

Zoe Conolly Basdeo is completing her MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

She is an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion representative for postgraduates in her Department, building upon her diverse professional and volunteer background across Cayman and the UK, and is passionate about wellbeing and mental health.

Ben Gillooly is a Director of Ogier Global in the Cayman Islands, having previously been counsel in the investment funds team of Ogier.

Ben joined the Cayman Connection Board in May 2021 and took the lead in establishing the Cayman not-for-profit entity for Cayman Connection.

Ben looks after the company’s corporation and governance.

Winston Connolly, a Cayman Islands-based attorney, is a Senior Partner of ChanceryESG. Mr. Connolly was previously the Director of his own business, prior to which he served as Managing Partner at Lainston and Partner and General Counsel for HighWater. He was also a an independent Member of the Legislative Assembly between 2013 and 2017.

Winston is a professional independent, non-executive director, licensed by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority who brings a wealth of experience to alternative investment (including hedge fund and private equity) boards. He brings reliability and integrity as well as professionalism to each board and works within the structure to provide sound advice based on his legal experience in particular.

Robin Harding grew up in the Cayman Islands and is a partner in Maples and Calder’s Finance team in the Maples Group’s Cayman Islands office.  Robin has extensive experience in advising clients on high-profile cross-border corporate, banking and finance transactions. 

Robin joined the Maples Group in the Cayman Islands as an articled clerk in 2003 and has worked overseas in the firm’s Dubai, Hong Kong and London offices. 

Caymanian born Kate Kandiah lives in the UK. Kate has worked for both the Cayman Islands Government Office UK (CIGO-UK) and Department of Tourism (DOT) in the UK.

Kate founded the network in 2012 in conjunction with CIGO-UK and DOT, established the UK social enterprise not-for-profit CIC in 2018 and the Cayman Islands Non-Profit-Organisation for Cayman Connection in 2021.

Kate now runs her own businesses in London and Hertfordshire.