Hon.Edmund Bartlett

The Hon. Edmund Bartlett, OJ, CD, MP, is Jamaica's Minister of Tourism. Widely recognized for his extensive expertise and accomplishments in public service, Minister Bartlett has dedicated more than 35 years to the development of Jamaica, serving with distinction in both chambers of Parliament—the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Minister Bartlett was first appointed Minister of Tourism in 2007, serving until December 2011. Prior to this appointment, he established a strong record of public service, holding several key positions, including Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and Culture in the Office of the Prime Minister and Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Development from 1980 to 1989. He later served as a Senator and Opposition Spokesman on various portfolios, including Tourism, from 1989 to 2007. Following his first tenure as Minister of Tourism, he continued to strengthen Jamaica's global tourism partnerships while serving in the Opposition. He returned as Minister of Tourism in February 2016 following the Jamaica Labour Party's electoral victory and continues to lead the sector's development.

Beyond his ministerial responsibilities, Minister Bartlett has been a passionate advocate for education, skills training, and job creation, particularly within his constituency of East Central St. James. He has championed scholarship programmes for students and teachers and has worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of the elderly and persons with disabilities.

A respected global tourism leader, Minister Bartlett has represented Jamaica at regional and international levels and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Affiliate Members of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). He is the first individual to have served on the executive bodies of both the public and private sector arms of the organization. During his first tenure as Tourism Minister, he served as Vice Chairman of the UNWTO Executive Council for the Americas and as Vice President of the 19th UNWTO General Assembly held in South Korea in 2011.

A graduate of The University of the West Indies with a major in Accounting, Minister Bartlett held senior management positions in accounting, marketing, and sales with major multinational companies operating in Jamaica before entering elective politics. His visionary leadership and commitment to innovation have earned him international recognition as one of the Caribbean's most influential tourism leaders.

Hon. Floyd Green

The Hon. Floyd O'Brian Green, MP, was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining on May 22, 2023, following the addition of the Mining portfolio to the Ministry, which was subsequently renamed the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining.

Prior to this appointment, he served as Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister and, before that, as Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

An Attorney-at-Law and Member of Parliament, Minister Green made history as Jamaica's youngest Minister of Agriculture. A proud son of St. Elizabeth, he is currently serving his second term as Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth South Western, a constituency widely recognized as part of Jamaica's "Bread Basket."

Minister Green attended Munro College before pursuing tertiary studies at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, where he earned a degree in History with a minor in Political Science. He later obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree with Honours (LLB Hons.) from UWI Cave Hill, Barbados, in 2006, and subsequently earned a Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica. He then embarked on his professional career as an Attorney-at-Law.

During his years as a student leader, he served as President of the Student Guild at UWI Cave Hill and later became President of Generation 2000 (G2K), the Caribbean's first and largest young professional political organization and an affiliate of the Jamaica Labour Party.

Since entering government in 2016, Minister Green has served in several important capacities, including Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, and later Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries in 2019.

Among his notable achievements are:

• Tabling Jamaica's National Youth Policy;
• Establishing the Jamaica Youth Advisory Council;
• Leading the transformation of the Child Development Agency into the Child Protection and Family Services Agency;
• Assessing the economic impact of Jamaica's Creative Industries; and
• Advocating for and successfully implementing Jamaica's first Group Life and Health Insurance Programme for farmers and fisherfolk.

As Minister of Agriculture, he developed Jamaica's "New FACE of Food" Strategy, which focuses on strengthening food security, expanding agribusiness, introducing climate-smart technologies, and increasing agricultural exports.

Dr. Marva Hewitt

Dr. Marva Hewitt is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Food Hygiene Bureau. She is an accomplished Environmental Health Practitioner with a passion for food hygiene, food safety, and food safety management systems. Holding a doctoral degree specializing in Food Safety Management Systems, Dr. Hewitt has over 33 years of experience in the field of food safety and environmental health.

Her areas of expertise include food safety management systems, auditing, training, education, and consultancy services. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agro-processing, including callaloo production, ready-to-eat foods, and hydroponic herb cultivation. She has also collaborated extensively with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as private and public sector entities, to promote and strengthen food safety standards.

Dr. Hewitt has received nominations and awards for excellence in Best Support Services Manufacturing and serves as an Honorary Trainer with the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo). She has travelled extensively throughout Asia, North America, and the Caribbean, conducting audits, training programmes, seminars, and conferences.

A recognized leader in the food safety sector, Dr. Hewitt has conceptualized and hosted nine international conferences and symposiums on food safety and food security. She is also an active member of several professional committees, boards, associations, and organizations dedicated to advancing food safety, public health, and sustainable development.

Dr. Derrick Deslandes

Dr. Derrick Deslandes is the President of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Jamaica's premier institution for agricultural excellence, applied sciences, and innovation. He is a distinguished graduate of The University of the West Indies, Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and Florida State University's College of Business.

With more than two decades of teaching experience at The University of the West Indies and Florida State University, Dr. Deslandes has also served as a trusted consultant to both public and private sector organizations in Jamaica. His academic portfolio includes teaching International Business, Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, and Marketing Research in leading MBA programmes. His research, which focuses on foreign direct investment, country branding, destination choice, and destination image, has been published and presented at local, regional, and international conferences.

Dr. Deslandes currently serves as a member of Jamaica's National Council on Education and as Chairman of the Jamaica Dairy Development Board.

As President of CASE, he is leading an ambitious transformation agenda aimed at modernizing the institution's infrastructure, integrating digital systems for student management, accounting, and procurement, and fostering a dynamic, technology-driven campus culture. His vision is to position CASE as a national hub for innovation, creating impactful solutions that address critical areas of national development while producing world-class graduates equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century.

Committed to academic and professional excellence, Dr. Deslandes is passionate about exposing students to cutting-edge practices in agriculture, education, hospitality, and business. He is dedicated to preparing graduates who will become catalysts for growth and progress in Jamaica and beyond. Under his leadership, CASE is poised to strengthen its reputation as a global leader in agricultural advancement, scientific research, educational excellence, and innovation.

Janice Duhaney

Goal-driven Sales Management professional boasting a 35-year career history and proven track record of strategic business growth. Skilled at aiding in product marketing efforts. Adept at cultivating productive client relationships through positive rapport, tailored solutions, and client engagement. Hardworking and equipped with knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and the cultural nuances across the Caribbean. Was pivotal in the successful re-launch of a dormant portfolio acquired by a little known company More Pharma. Has revitalized sales operations and align procedures to maximize profits with budgetary constraints and limited resources. Adept at cultivating productive client relationships through positive rapport, tailored solutions, and client

engagement.

EDUCATION

COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - KINGSTON, JAMAICA

Medical Laboratory Technology

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Board Chairman Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement Ltd (JOAM) 2022-

Current, Board of Directors 2020-2022. Past President of the St. James

Horticultural Society current. President of the SJHS 2018-2024

Prof. Shashi Vemuri

Prof. Shashi Vemuri is a former Senior Professor, Principal Scientist, and University Head of Entomology at Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, India. With over 40 years of teaching, research, and extension experience, he specializes in Insect Toxicology, Pesticide Residues, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). He has completed postdoctoral training at Michigan State University (USA), CIMMYT (Mexico), and the University of Minnesota (USA). His work focuses on pesticide residue management, food safety, sustainable agriculture, and the evaluation of new pesticide molecules against major crop pests. He has guided 15 Ph.D. and 13 M.Sc. students, led 52 externally funded research projects, published over 165 research papers, and served in several national and international advisory, editorial, and professional roles.

Prof. Srinivasa Rao Mentreddy

Prof. Srinivasa Rao Mentreddy is a Professor of Crop Science at Alabama A&M University, USA, with extensive expertise in sustainable agriculture and organic crop management. An Indian-born American, he earned his B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, India, and a Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Tasmania, Australia. His research focuses on cover crop-based sustainable practices for vegetable and medicinal herb production, both in open-field and agroforestry systems. Dr. Mentreddy also explores low-temperature plasma technology for seed and meat sanitization, aiming to improve seed germination, plant growth, and crop yield. In addition to his research, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in agricultural science, mentoring students in sustainable and innovative farming practices.

Dr. Lisa Ackerly

Dr. Lisa Ackerley is a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner with over 30 years of experience in food safety, public health, hygiene, academia, and expert witness services. Her PhD focused on consumer hygiene behavior in the home, and she has advised a wide range of industry sectors while providing expert commentary to the media on hygiene and safety issues.

From 2021 to June 2024, she served as Director of Public Health and Hygiene Engagement at Reckitt, where she led initiatives promoting risk-based hygiene approaches for major events, including COP26 and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. She also contributed to global projects on health, climate change, and Targeted Hygiene using Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA). She has since returned to independent consultancy as an Environmental Health Practitioner.

Previously, Dr. Ackerley was Food and Safety Adviser to UKHospitality, working closely with industry and government stakeholders on guidance development and legislative implementation. A Professorial Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), she chairs its Food Special Interest Group and serves as Trustee and Scientific Adviser to the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (IFH). She is also Chair of the Technical Advisory Board of Food Alert and Chair of the Board of the Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute.

Dr. Donna Morrison

Dr. Donna Morrison is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Guyana and currently serves as Coordinator of the MSc in Agro-Technology and Business program. Her teaching and research focus on postharvest technology, food safety, and evidence-based policy development through analytical research and field studies.

Dr. Morrison earned a PhD in Food Science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, an M.Phil. in Biodiversity and a BSc in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Guyana, and an MSc in Plant Science from California State University, Fresno. She has gained international research and professional experience at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel), the University of Helsinki (Finland), and Stockholm University (Sweden). She has also been a visiting scholar at the University of California, Davis, the University of Missouri–Columbia, and Louisiana State University, where she received advanced training in postharvest technology and food safety.

Her research focuses on food safety, postharvest technology, and shelf-life extension of fruits, with several publications addressing food safety issues in staple foods in Guyana. In addition to her research, Dr. Morrison supervises undergraduate and graduate student projects and is committed to mentoring early-career academics and researchers.

Sterling Crewe

Sterling Crew, HON FIFST, FIFST, FCIEH, FRSPH, MSOFHT, CEnvH, CSci, BSc (Hons)

Sterling Crew is President of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) and Chair of the Advisory Board of the Food Authenticity Network at the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.

An accomplished food sector executive, Sterling has more than 35 years of experience in global food safety, sustainability, food authenticity, and food security. He began his career in government service before holding senior technical and leadership roles with major retailers, including Marks & Spencer and Tesco. He has also worked with global brands such as Coca-Cola and Disney, and served as Technical Director for two food manufacturing companies. His experience as a regulator, retailer, brand owner, and manufacturer provides a unique perspective on the development and governance of global food supply chains.

Sterling currently holds a diverse portfolio of leadership and advisory positions. In addition to serving as President of IFST and Chair of the Food Authenticity Network Advisory Board, he is Co-Founder of Kitchen Conversation, Managing Director of SQS, and Strategic Advisor to Shield Safety Group. He also serves on the Audit Governance Board of Eurofins and acts as Scientific and Regulatory Advisor to OLIO, the British Lion Mark, and Highfield.

He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Boards of New Food Magazine, IFST Magazine, and Environmental Health News. A respected scientific and public health commentator, Sterling regularly contributes articles and expert opinions on food and public health issues. He has authored numerous technical and scientific publications and is an experienced expert witness who has appeared before the High Court.

Roy Page

Roy Page is an agribusiness strategist and business executive dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural economic development throughout the Caribbean and beyond. With extensive experience in business management, finance, and international partnerships, he collaborates with farmers, cooperatives, investors, and development organizations to develop innovative solutions that strengthen local food systems and improve livelihoods.

Roy is passionate about empowering smallholder farmers through modern agricultural practices, expanded market access, technology adoption, and value-added production. His work emphasizes collaboration, climate resilience, and the development of integrated agricultural ecosystems that connect producers with local and international markets.

Combining strategic leadership with a strong commitment to community development, Roy champions initiatives that promote food sovereignty, sustainable farming, and long-term economic growth. His vision is to build resilient agricultural communities that can feed their nations, create employment opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to regional prosperity.

Leah Allen

Leah Allen is a visionary guide, business strategist, wellness advocate, sacred space designer, and sustainability-focused entrepreneur whose work bridges science, soul, food security, and regenerative living. For more than 20 years, Leah has helped individuals, organizations, and communities awaken to their highest potential through aligned action, intentional environments, holistic wellness practices, and sustainable systems that nurture vitality, clarity, resilience, and success.

Leah’s work is deeply rooted in the belief that healthy people are wealthy people, and that access to high-quality, nutrient-dense food is foundational to personal healing, community stability, national prosperity, and peace among nations.

Her current book, The New Dawn, explores the urgent need to restore human health through organic nutrition, soil regeneration, food sovereignty, and a return to food as medicine. Through this work, she advocates for a future where health care begins with the soil, prevention begins with nutrition, and food systems are designed to nourish biology, physiology, families, communities, and entire nations.

Leah’s professional background spans business strategy, wellness education, life sciences, genomics, nutrition, sustainable development, and community-centered innovation. After overcoming a life-changing diagnosis, Leah discovered a path of healing that transformed her prognosis and led her into a deeper understanding of optimal living. She now speaks from both personal triumph and professional experience, sharing the principles and practices that helped restore her health while empowering others to live with greater vitality and purpose.

Leah helps lead plant and human studies focused on optimizing health and biological expression through nutrition, environment, and lifestyle. She also helped launch a first-of-its-kind gene-guided precision genomics testing and nutrition company, designed to help individuals better understand their unique biological needs and support wellness through targeted, whole-food-based guidance.

In addition, Leah is a co-founder of an early-stage venture capital investment group focused on the life sciences sector, including genomics, nutrition, immunology, oncology, the microbiome, and neurology. As a venture capital partner and Director of Community Outreach, she advocates for sustainable, ethical, and health-centered innovation that supports both human and planetary well-being. Leah is also the founder of several companies and initiatives dedicated to eco-friendly design, sustainable living, regenerative community development, wellness education, and accessible models for healthier homes, healthier food systems, and healthier societies. Through her ventures, proposals, and public education work, she continues to champion organic farming, nutrient-dense food, food sovereignty, and regenerative systems as essential solutions to today’s health, economic, and social challenges.

Whether guiding an individual toward healing, helping a business align with purpose, supporting sustainable community development, or speaking on the future of food security and nutrition, Leah brings a rare combination of lived wisdom, strategic insight, scientific curiosity, and deep devotion to human flourishing.

Dr. Bipul Biswas

Dr. Bipul Biswas an Associate Professor, Graduate Faculty Member, and Research Advisor in the M.S. Biotechnology Program at the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences, and Technology (CAFST) at Fort Valley State University. Since 2002, he has been dedicated to teaching, mentoring graduate students, and conducting innovative agricultural research focused on sustainable crop production and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).

Dr. Biswas earned an M.S. in Genetics from Rajshahi University, an M.Phil. from the University of Delhi, and a Ph.D. from the University of Delhi. His research focuses on hydroponics, aeroponics, Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), specialty crops, medicinal plants, vegetables, and sustainable farming systems that improve crop productivity, quality, and climate resilience.

His work integrates advanced agricultural technologies, including indoor and outdoor hydroponic production systems, vertical farming, plant tissue culture, molecular biotechnology, DNA fingerprinting, and crop quality analysis using modern laboratory techniques. He has conducted research on a diverse range of specialty, medicinal, fruit, and vegetable crops while developing smart agriculture models that incorporate sensor-based and precision agriculture technologies.

As a graduate research advisor, Dr. Biswas has mentored more than 25 graduate students and teaches courses in Greenhouse Management, Specialty Plants and Crop Improvement, Advanced Molecular Biotechniques, Communication in Biotechnology, and Advanced Genetics.

Committed to advancing the future of agriculture, Dr. Biswas develops resource-efficient farming systems that address global food security and climate challenges. Through research, education, and community outreach, he promotes innovative agricultural technologies while preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals and supporting farmers and entrepreneurs interested in hydroponics and Controlled Environment Agriculture.

Vivion Scully

Vivion Scully leads the Agro-Investment Corporation in driving growth and development within Jamaica's agriculture and agribusiness sector. Under his leadership, Agro-Invest has facilitated the development of high-impact agribusiness projects, promoting sustainable farming practices, enhancing productivity, and creating employment opportunities across rural communities. He has championed initiatives to attract both local and international investment, expand market access for agricultural producers, and strengthen value chain development from production to export.

Mr. Scully's strategic vision and results-driven leadership have reinforced the Corporation's role as a key driver of growth in Jamaica's agriculture sector, ensuring it contributes meaningfully to the country's economic development and the continued advancement of its agribusiness industry.