Twenty-eight young aspiring leaders have successfully joined the ranks of the Nolan Hue Foundation (NHF) Alumni following the organisation’s Youth Empowerment Retreat (YER) over the weekend.
The annual professional development programme was hosted over three days at the Sir John E St Luce Finance and Conference Centre on Factory Road.
The NHF facilitated several highly engaging seminars where participants had the opportunity to interact, network, and learn from experts across several industries including banking and finance, fitness, first-aid, mental health, nutrition, business and entrepreneurship, insurance, and human resources, a release said.
Featured speakers included other young professionals such as fitness trainer Daniel Antonio, who attended YER in 2019, and certified life coach Brianna Periera who encouraged participants to adopt a positive mindset.
According to Shevaun Francis, a member of the NHF management team, the speakers volunteered their professional expertise to young participants newly entering their fields and those looking to strengthen their existing knowledge and skills.
Meanwhile, the participants indicated that attending YER 2023 has “changed their lives forever” as they have formed new bonds with peers and have joined a larger network of young professionals.
Shaquan O’Neil, 19, a member of the National Youth Parliament Association, said the wide variety of sessions provided him with new skill sets to implement in his daily life going forward.
“I learned a bit of everything this weekend. I wasn’t able to budget in the past and now I can push my confidence in public speaking,” he shared.
Krystal-Ann Gonsalves, 26, an aspiring entrepreneur who is currently pursuing studies in Marketing and Business Management, said that the YER has renewed her motivation after spending three days in a “different” environment that is not only “educational and inspirational” but also family-friendly.
“I was sceptical before coming because I had been to other seminars, but even though they give you the information, they didn’t give you the environment to make you feel like it was a family orientation. I’m glad that I came and the experience was amazing,” Gonsalves added.
Celine Edwards, 20, a graduate of Antigua State College, said concepts from seminars on professionalism, etiquette, teamwork, and integrity will strengthen her abilities in using her passions to help others.
“I learned to have fun while working with others despite whatever challenges you may face,” she said.
NFH is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to the holistic development of young professionals and future leaders across communities in Antigua and Barbuda.
The first YER was held in 2016 out of Regis Burton’s vision for young residents, particularly young men, to uphold personal branding and professionalism across several areas of their lives.
Since then, the NHF has been able to curate a professional network of over 130 alumni members through hosting YER for five years, except for the period during the Covid-19 pandemic.
NHF thanked all its sponsors — including major partner Sagicor — for helping its management team successfully execute this year’s retreat.
