Visionary, entrepreneur, innovator, and inductee into the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame, are all deserving titles that describe Derek Chin’s exceptional business achievements. While these titles speak to who Derek has become, they don’t do justice to where he started and the experiences that shaped his success. “People don’t know that my life is a rags to riches story,” says Derek.

Born into a close-knit family in Siparia, Imtiaz Ahamad experienced the best of both worlds growing up. He had a father who instilled structure and routine, and a mother who allowed the freedoms a young man would crave. This marriage of discipline and freedom became the mark of the man as Ahamad ascended to lead the company his grandfather founded (Southern Sales & Service Co. Ltd) and served on diverse boards across health, insurance, automobiles, and education.

As the fifth of six children in her family, Lisa-Maria Alexander learned quickly the art of fitting in, while standing out. It’s no small wonder she took that art into her diverse career and into leading one of region’s most meaningfully-different brands: Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB). A place where she is one of the faces of the brand as Chief Marketing Officer and fondly describes as, “I get to be my whole self at JMMB.”

Imagine a country where we are free. Unshackled from the daily grind, debt, and dependency on a salary, or a pension needed to enjoy a dignified life. A place where each person has a plan that lays the path to financial freedom for themselves and their family. That’s the vision Ronald Carter carries around within him. A vision he is making a reality privately, and as Chief Executive Officer, JMMB Investment (T&T) Ltd. “I help people… my team members, my clients, people in Trinidad & Tobago,” says Carter.

The name Coosal’s is synonymous with road-paving, quarrying, construction services, block manufacturing, and the man who leads this over 70-year-old trusted company. What may not come to mind is the leading lady behind the scenes, Sintra Coosal. And that is all by design from a lady who says, “I don’t really like the limelight.” That is until now…

Sitting at the helm of a storied, successful, family company turned local, regional and international beverage giant is no easy task. However, Dr Mikaeel Mohammed - CEO and Director of SM Jaleel & Co. Ltd - does it with poise, pride and spirit-centred leadership. He shows up every day in service of his great grandfather’s legacy, and his grandparents’ and father’s sacrifice for this 95-year-old company.