More than 60 senior leaders from across the Caribbean diaspora and the United States gathered on December 9 for an exclusive preview of WHISTLE, a new leadership platform aimed at unifying Caribbean-rooted influence around shared purpose, economic power, and long-term legacy.
Several attendees traveled specifically for the event, organizers said, underscoring the growing urgency among a diaspora estimated at more than 10 million people and responsible for roughly US$170 billion in annual economic activity.
Founded by Trinidadian-born Denise Williams and Stacey Luces, WHISTLE is positioned as the first coordinated platform designed to align Caribbean leadership across sectors, including finance, public systems, philanthropy, and multi-country operations.
“For the first time, leaders across the diaspora showed up not just to connect, but to build with purpose,” said Luces, WHISTLE’s chief purpose officer. “WHISTLE exists because we are done rising alone.”
The keynote address was delivered by Jamaican-born financial executive Keith Levy, chairman of JN Bank and managing partner of Visionario Venture Capital. Levy emphasized the importance of trust and collective action, drawing on his experience in international trading and structured finance.
“Capital flies as fast as trust,” Levy said. “Let’s build a future where we trust each other and move with courage.” He noted that while Caribbean professionals often excel individually on the global stage, they have historically struggled to mobilize collectively.
During the event, Williams and Luces also unveiled WHISTLE’s legacy initiatives, including We WHISTLE With Love, the platform’s philanthropic arm, and WHISTLE Next Gen, focused on developing the next generation of Caribbean-rooted leaders. Through these initiatives, WHISTLE mobilized targeted support for families in Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa, prompting several private contributions during the gathering.
“Our leaders are ready for a platform that aligns influence, grows wealth, and drives collective impact,” said Williams, WHISTLE’s chief impact officer.
One highlight of the evening included a US$2,000 donation presented by John Reid, a Canadian-born former CEO of Cable & Wireless, on behalf of his family charity, Bynx. The contribution, along with additional member pledges, will support Breaking Healthcare Barriers (BHB), an organization providing medical care, pharmaceuticals, and volunteer support to Jamaican communities in need. Levy currently serves as a board member of the organization.
Attendees described the gathering as a rare alignment of influence, purpose, and shared intention, noting that leaders at this level had not previously convened around a unified mandate to build a coordinated institution for the Caribbean diaspora.
The preview event marked a milestone in WHISTLE’s global pre-launch phase. Throughout 2025, the platform plans to activate its membership model, expand its leadership framework, and deepen strategic partnerships ahead of a full global launch scheduled for January 2026.
WHISTLE aims to position itself as a central institution through which Caribbean-rooted leaders and strategic partners can align influence, expand economic outcomes, and drive long-term impact across the diaspora and the wider region.
