The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) has announced the full lineup of honorees for its 2025 Leadership Awards, with Caribbean women in tourism taking center stage among this year’s distinguished leaders.
Newly named recipients include Carole Alexis, internationally acclaimed choreographer, artistic director, and Knight of the Order of the Arts and Letters from Martinique; Ronella Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority; and Clarisa Jiménez, President and CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA). Their leadership and innovation underscore the growing impact of women in shaping the region’s tourism and cultural sectors.
Other honorees include:
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Dave Chang – Senior VP, Consumer Sales and Contact Centers, Carnival Cruise Line
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May-Ling Chun – Director of Tourism, St. Maarten
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Laura Davidson – CEO/Founder, LDPR
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Muryad de Bruin – Managing Director, Curaçao Tourist Board
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Cathleen Decker – Co-founder, The Decker/Royal Agency
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Loreto Duffy-Mayers – Tourism and Sustainability Expert, Barbados
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Monique Hamaty-Simmonds – Executive Director, Tortuga Rum Company Ltd., Cayman Islands
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Luce Hodge-Smith – Junior Minister of Tourism, British Virgin Islands
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Janelle Hopkin – President and Managing Director, Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada
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Vonulrick “Von” Martin – Broadcaster, Producer & Dean, Caribbeana Communications Inc.
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Shomari Scott – Chief Business Officer, Health City Cayman Islands
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Marcus Simmonds – CEO, Tortuga International Holdings Ltd., Cayman Islands
“These exceptional honorees embody the spirit of leadership, innovation, and service that defines the best of the Caribbean,” said Bevan Springer, President of CMEx. “From tourism and business to culture and community development, their impact has been profound, and we are proud to recognize their contributions at this year’s awards.”
The CMEx Leadership Awards celebrate leaders across hospitality, cruise tourism, medical tourism, destination marketing, sustainable development, media, and public relations. The luncheon will bring together tourism stakeholders, business leaders, media professionals, and community advocates for an afternoon of celebration, networking, and a shared commitment to a thriving Caribbean future.
Sponsored by Carnival Corporation & plc, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, and the Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board, proceeds from the event support educational initiatives designed to empower Caribbean youth and tourism professionals.
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