AFUWI elects first female UWI alumna as board chair
Key Points(5)
- Cyrus McCalla, whose nearly decade-long tenure helped transform the Foundation into one of the leading supporters of higher education in the Caribbean through scholarships, strategic partnerships and philanthropic initiatives.
- The newly elected executive committee also includes Dr.
- Collectively, the new leadership team brings decades of experience in finance, medicine, law, higher education and corporate governance, positioning the Foundation to expand its reach and strengthen opportunities for Caribbean students.
- Delp, who serves as head of global insurance and institutional asset solutions at Franklin Templeton, has held senior leadership positions at BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and Deloitte Consulting.
- Throughout her distinguished career, she has been recognized for building strategic partnerships, leading high-performing teams and driving sustainable organizational growth.
The American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) has ushered in a new chapter in its history with the election of distinguished investment executive Lyenda Delp as chair of its Board of Directors, making her the first woman and the first graduate of The University of the West Indies (UWI) to lead the U.S.-based philanthropic organization.
Delp succeeds Dr. Cyrus McCalla, whose nearly decade-long tenure helped transform the Foundation into one of the leading supporters of higher education in the Caribbean through scholarships, strategic partnerships and philanthropic initiatives.
The newly elected executive committee also includes Dr. Ron Chase, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, as deputy chair; Wayne Melbourne, Esq., executive director and senior advisory compliance officer at Morgan Stanley, as board secretary; and Andrea McNish, chief financial officer of The University of the West Indies, as treasurer.
Collectively, the new leadership team brings decades of experience in finance, medicine, law, higher education and corporate governance, positioning the Foundation to expand its reach and strengthen opportunities for Caribbean students.
Delp, who serves as head of global insurance and institutional asset solutions at Franklin Templeton, has held senior leadership positions at BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and Deloitte Consulting. Throughout her distinguished career, she has been recognized for building strategic partnerships, leading high-performing teams and driving sustainable organizational growth.
Speaking after her election, Delp described her appointment as both an honor and a privilege.
"I am honoured to be elected Chair of the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies, whose mission to expand access to higher education transforms lives across the Caribbean," she said.
"It is a special privilege to be the first UWI alumna and the first woman to serve in this role. I look forward to working closely with the Board, our staff, The UWI, our alumni, and supporters around the world to build on the strong foundation laid by those who have led AFUWI before us and to create even greater opportunities for Caribbean students and future leaders."
She noted that the Foundation's priorities will include broadening its national presence, strengthening donor and alumni engagement, expanding scholarship opportunities and creating more career pathways to prepare Caribbean students for leadership in an increasingly competitive global economy.
The leadership transition also marks the conclusion of Dr. McCalla's distinguished stewardship of AFUWI. During his tenure, the Foundation successfully navigated the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining its commitment to supporting Caribbean students. Under his leadership, AFUWI also mobilized significant philanthropic assistance following several devastating hurricanes across the region, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted partner in advancing education and responding during times of crisis.
Reflecting on his years of service, Dr. McCalla expressed confidence in the incoming leadership.
"It has been a privilege to serve AFUWI during a period that demanded resilience, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to our mission," he said.
"Together, our Board, staff, donors, alumni, and partners remained steadfast in expanding educational opportunity and responding to the Caribbean's needs in extraordinary times. I have every confidence that Chair Lyenda Delp and the incoming Board leadership team will build on this foundation and lead AFUWI to even greater impact in the years ahead."
Working alongside Executive Director Ann-Marie Grant and the Foundation's professional staff, the new board leadership will continue advancing AFUWI's mission of ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented Caribbean students from accessing higher education.
Over the past decade, AFUWI has awarded scholarships to more than 700 students pursuing studies at The University of the West Indies. Through philanthropy, alumni engagement and strategic partnerships, the Foundation continues to invest in the development of future Caribbean leaders, helping to strengthen the region's resilience, prosperity and global competitiveness.
