Empowering Women Leaders: Highlights from the 2026 Women's Leadership Conference in Georgetown
More than 150 women leaders gathered in Georgetown for the WeLead Association's 2026 Women's Leadership Conference with the theme "Guyana to the World: Women Building Global Bridges." The event brought together entrepreneurs, corporate executives, policymakers, students, and emerging professionals for a day of leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and regional collaboration.
Headlined by Melanie Fiona, a two-time Grammy Award-winning artist and creative entrepreneur of Guyanese heritage, the conference highlighted the growing influence of women leaders across the Caribbean and explored how leadership, innovation, and collaboration can shape Guyana's future and strengthen regional connections.
Founded by Abbigale Loncke-Watson, the WeLead Association is dedicated to developing, connecting, and empowering women to lead with confidence and purpose. Through leadership development, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, strategic partnerships, and business programming, the organization creates opportunities for women to grow their businesses, strengthen their leadership, and expand their impact across Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in keynote presentations, panel discussions, fireside conversations, and networking experiences focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, mentorship, wellness, and digital influence. The event aimed to foster collaboration across industries and borders.
Speakers at the conference included Hon. Charles Ramson Jr., Guyana's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport; Kathy Smith, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Guyana's Minister of Human Services and Social Security; Melissa Noel, Founder and Chief Content Officer of Mel&N Media Group; Deborah Edward, Country Manager of Sol Guyana; and Keisha Edwards, Founder and Creative Director of ShaSha Designs.
In her closing remarks, Fiona emphasized the power of empowered women to effect change, urging women to walk boldly, lead courageously, build generously, and dream globally. She highlighted the transformative impact that empowered women can have on individuals and nations.
Building on the success of the conference, the WeLead Association will launch its Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in July, a 90-day business development initiative aimed at helping women entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their ventures. The program will provide mentorship, business guidance, and practical support to women seeking to scale their businesses.
The WeLead Association is a Guyanese, woman-led nonprofit organization focused on advancing women in business and philanthropy in Guyana and the Caribbean. Through mentorship, advocacy, leadership training, and convenings, the organization creates pathways for women to lead, innovate, and grow across sectors. In partnership with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Guyana, WeLead has trained women entrepreneurs nationwide through the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), offering global business training, mentorship, and professional networks.
To learn more about the WeLead Association and its initiatives, visit their website.