The Council of the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Shamila Ramcharan as the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust. Ms. Ramcharan’s appointment is part of a key restructuring program for the National Trust to operationalize its five-year strategic plan geared at empowering the organization to fulfil its regulatory, conservation and commercial mandates.
Chairman of the Council of the National Trust, Margaret McDowall is confident that the new CEO will strengthen the operations of the organization. “Shamila is an internationally experienced business executive with strong roots in the private sector locally and internationally. That experience will greatly support the National Trust in achieving its public education, conservation and heritage protection goals.”
Shamila has a passion for results-oriented, cross group collaboration, integration, and principled, progressive leadership. Her career spans over 20 years working in several multi-national, Fortune – 500 corporations, where she was immersed in operations in multiple cultural environments across English, French, Dutch & Spanish speaking territories in the Caribbean and Latin America. Her industry experience encompasses Technology (ICT), Consumer (FMCG), Financial Services, Health, Industrial, Government and the NGO sectors and included organisations such as The Microsoft Corporation, Heineken International, 3M & Unilever, among others.
Shamila explains that while in the corporate sector, she was fortunate to have the opportunity to be involved in many projects which impacted the socio-economic development of the Caribbean. This cemented in her, a desire to do more in this area, which she pursued through the Corporate Social Responsibility function of the businesses where she worked. “The National Trust affords me the opportunity to continue this effort and more importantly, in an area where I’ve always had a deep personal interest, the preservation of history, natural endowments, architecture and design. I am very excited to be a part of the important work which has been entrusted to the National Trust and to know that through our efforts, we shall contribute to creating a legacy that our society, our children and grandchildren can enjoy. “
Shamila’s experience will benefit the National Trust, having led international thought leadership projects across diverse topics impacting the socio-economic development of the Caribbean in the areas of Education, Diversification through ICT, Diversity & Inclusion, Women in Leadership and the Protection of Children and Family Rights. These were conducted in partnership with the governments of the Caribbean, academia, international centers of expertise, multi-lateral financial agencies, NGOs and various professional bodies.
“I feel honoured to have a role in preserving the history and environment of our country. I am excited to be in the National Trust, to join this team of amazing people and to be a part of carrying on the wonderful work that has already been done by the Trust. Safely exploring the natural and historical sites of Trinidad & Tobago, our Caribbean neighbours and parts of Latin America and Europe, has always been the preferred choice of leisure activity for my children and I and now, as fate would have it, I am in a position to help rekindle that wondrous curiosity in others.”
Ms. Ramcharan holds an MBA from the Heriot Watt University, a B.Sc. in Management from the UWI with 1st Class honours, and a Certificate in Corporate Governance from Certified Management Accountants. She has also been extensively trained in various corporate business disciplines through the multinational private sector on topics ranging from human resource management, to legal and compliance issues to marketing and public relations.
