Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation partnered with 1776, a US-based incubator and seed fund, to bring the Challenge Cup to the Caribbean Region putting the region on the map as one of 50 local events happening around the world as part of a global competition. This was an evening of brief presentations from startups in regulated industries (food, education, energy, food,
Mission
Get to know us
Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation (CRN) is a 501 c 3 non-profit that supports economic development in the Caribbean to reverse
the effects of the brain drain by connecting resources and technical skills from the Diaspora back into the region.
WORK
Register to become involved in various initiatives including working on Special Projects with global clients or joining our Caribbean Co-working Campus for Entrepreneurs.
CONNECT
Learn about CRN's Strategic Connection Platform, Challenge Cup-Caribbean, Special Events/Projects, Caribbean CommVersations and Caribbean Connector Online Magazine.
LEARN
Creating opportunities through our Students for Students Initiatives (SFSI) to connect innovators to Mentors to assist them to compete on the world stage; build their individual brands while gaining hands-on skills to include on their resume.
25+ Countries
We Serve Expatriates and Communities from most Caribbean Countries and Territories.
20+ Cultures
Committed to Bringing Together People from Different Cultural Backgrounds.
Million+ Dollars
Caribbean Expatriates Returning Millions of Dollars Annually to the Region.
Exporting+
The Caribbean Region is rich with many resources be it oil or expertise...whatever you need we can provide.
We Are Here For You
LEADERSHIP
ARLENE GRAHAM
Executive Director and Founder
Arlene Graham is the Founder of Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation and Global Idea Synergy, LLC both organizations manage business connections and opportunities between the Caribbean region, diaspora and global community. Ms. Graham is also a project management expert for private and government sector clients in the US, Europe, Dubai and the Caribbean. She was one of the lead transition managers working directly with senior directors for seven agencies at the US Department of Defense and US Army Corp of Engineers design and construction teams to provide 1.7 million sq ft of space to relocate over two thousand agency staff to a new secure facility. Arlene also spearheaded the Eastern Mediterranean Security Conference – a multinational event featuring American, Greek, and Turkish senior level military officers, White House personnel and diplomats. Ms. Graham attended City University of New York, George Washington University and Parsons School of Design. An international speaker who teaches young girls problem solving skills to solve challenges in their immediate communities. Arlene is currently writing a book for girls which teaches the art of survival despite the challenges they face.
PIERRE HINES
Economic Development
Pierre Hines was born in the United States and is of Jamaican heritage. He is a business lawyer based in the Washington, D.C. office of global law firm Jones Day, and he has previously interned at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and for a federal judge. Prior to attending law school, Pierre served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, where he led an intelligence section of a Brigade Combat Team and worked as assistant capability manager of an intelligence IT program. Pierre received his B.S. from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He enjoys sports and watching stand-up comedy.
Sherwyn Williams
Compliance Officer
Dr. Sherwyn Williams was recently nominated to be the Executive Director of the Caribbean Constituency in the Inter-American Development Bank. A national of Guyana and recently retired IMF economist, Sherwyn combines unique statistical knowledge and economics in over two decades of IMF experience, focusing on economic development issues within a developing country context. He has extensive experience working in balance of payments statistics, macro-monetary policy, debt sustainability and reserve adequacy, exchange rate and external competitiveness, and poverty related issues in developing countries. In addition to economic statistics and economic and financial policies, Dr. Williams has also worked in areas relating to IMF governance, including quota distribution. He has compiled country data used for calculations relating to Fund governance issues, and has acquired quite a widespread knowledge of global economic statistics.
CURTIS MCNISH
Vice Chair
Curtis McNish works for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs assigned to the Latin America, Caribbean and Asian regions. He oversees a portfolio of over 40 international sub-recipients with grants totaling over $10 million. He travels internationally providing training to groups on financial accountability for federal grants and has visited with senior officials of major civil society organizations in Romania, Poland, Iraq, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Angola, Guatemala, Colombia and Haiti to name a few. Curtis is also currently the Chief Executive Director of the Institute for Development and Democracy, a soon-to-be, nongovernmental organization and Fabio Hair Designs a hair cosmetic trader also in Trinidad and Tobago, where he was born.
IESHA TOWNSEND
Students for Students Initiative (SFSI) Sr. Coordinator
Iesha Townsend was born and raised in Connecticut with very strong family ties to Jamaica. She holds a BA in Psychology and Government from Smith College and eventually obtained her MSc in Politics of Conflict, Rights, and Justice from School of Oriental African Studies, University of London. After completing her studies, Iesha established a social enterprise that provided workshops for young ethnic minority girls in the London boroughs of Newham and Lambeth to raise their consciousness in socio-political affairs. During her time in London, England, Iesha has worked for several international non-profit organizations on minority rights advocacy projects. Currently, she works within the educational sector providing support to ethnic minority communities.
SHEDISHA “ABBY” MATTHIAS
Students for Students Initiative (SFSI)
Shedisha Abena Matthias, hails from Jamaica and was raised in New York City. She attended Carnegie Mellon University and majored in economics before joining IBM Public Sector Consulting Practice. She served as a foreign expert for the Shenzhen Education Bureau; where she taught English at Shenzhen Normal University Middle School in China. After several years abroad, Shedisha returned to the U.S. and earned her Master’s degree in International Policy at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She worked as a knowledge management consultant for an organization focused on social entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Shedisha is now employed by a highly-regarded consulting firm bringing innovative technology solutions to government agencies.
GABRIEL MARTINO
Investment
Gabriel Martino was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. He was recognized as an island scholar for excelling in CXC’s, Cape and A ‘Levels. He attended Howard University where he gained his B.B.A. in Finance, then moved to Canada and earned his M.F. degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University. His professional experiences include working for international financial institutions with a focus on investment banking, project finance, private placements and treasury. Gabriel returned to his homeland where he launched his own consulting firm and began working with the Ministry of Finance and the Economy as an Associate Debt Professional in their Economic Management Unit. He is highly motivated, driven and entrepreneurial.
KAIDIE WILLIAMS
Students for Students Initiative (SFSI) Coordinator
Kaidie Williams’ passions began to unfold while she attended the Convent High School in Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica. As a member of the communications club, she participated in numerous debates, notably Dominica’s National Youth Parliament organised by the local branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in 2010. She emerged as the overall winner of this event. Kaidie was then selected to participate in the 7th Regional Youth Parliament at the 35th Conference of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region in Trinidad and Tobago. Currently, she is an International Relations and Economics (minor) undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia with a passion for intercultural understanding, international development and intellectual property.
JOSEPH ISAAC
STEM Education
Joseph Isaac, of Antiguan heritage, received the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow from the National Science Foundation. His career includes working as a Department Chair and Biotechnology Instructor and as a Biological Lab Technician/Research Assistant. He spent three years at the National Institutes of Health – Transgenic animal model research of HIV, with a focus on Kaposi’s Sarcoma and other AIDS related cancers. He also spent five years at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology – focusing on research of HIV co-factors and their role in viral transmission. Joseph is also experienced in adapting STEM education curricula to more accurately reflect student interest and background significance.
Liz Alexander
Treasurer
Liz Alexander was born in Trinidad and Tobago and has over 30 years of finance and management skills working for both Caribbean and US organizations, including Howard University in Washington, DC. Liz is also a licensed real estate agent and has sold millions of dollars worth of properties in the US market. Along with her career, she is a wife, mother and grandmother to three progressive young men.
Arlene Summers
Print Media
Arlene Summers is of Haitian, Cuban, and Dominican Republic heritage. She attended Tuskegee University in Alabama and later relocated to Florida State University where she studied Family and Consumers Science Education. After graduation she begin teaching middle and high school students the fundamentals of life skills. In 2013, her love for inspiring people and sharing inspirational stories led her to create the magazine app – Be Inspired. Arlene uses this online platform to re-build broken people. “We all need to be validated and heard” says Arlene, who receives countless feedback on the writings of the magazine. Arlene is the mother of four children.
Our Efforts are for the Region's Survival! Help Us
Reverse the Brain Drain.
Give!
Donate
Creating Opportunities
OUR INITIATIVES
ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE
Empower a generation of young people to bring the Caribbean from a developing to a developed...
STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS INITIATIVE
Empowering to be global innovators by using our global presence and network...
NEW CARIBBEAN INITIATIVE
A network of Caribbean Professionals with expertise in wide ranging commercial and industrial fields...
SPECIAL PROJECTS
CRN and our team of experts manages diaspora and other projects all aimed to improve the Caribbean region for future generations...
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Positive strides
“Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation has been making positive strides in the development of entrepreneurship in the Caribbean. I was particularity impressed with its successful hosting of the 1776 Challenge Cup-Caribbean.”
Inshan Meahjohn, Asst VP Entrepreneurship & Technology Commercialization at The University of Trinidad and Tobago
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Giant step forward
Great to see CRNF recognizing companies using network and affiliate marketing business model. Giant step forward.
R. , Shane
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Successfully executing event
“Congratulations to Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation for successfully executing the Challenge Cup-Caribbean. This is a great milestone for your organization and an invaluable boost to entrepreneurs in the Caribbean and beyond. Kudos to the innovative minds behind all these great initiatives. Keep creating and promoting critical, game-changing programs like this one. I am so PROUD of YOU ALL.”
Kulya Nzogu, KNZ Enterprises
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Met potential investors
“I was able to connect with some potential investors and also some really good friends so overall it was a great trip for me & CTS!
Khalil Bryan, CEO , Caribbean Transit Solutions
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Impressive contradiction
“So often sentiments are echoed about a Caribbean whose future is at risk because of its lost youth. Attending the Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation’s Challenge Cup-Caribbean event was an impressive contradiction of those opinions. Both the quantity and quality of the pitches were hopeful reassurance to me that our region is in fact well-endowed with innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to compete on a global stage, and secure a bright Caribbean future.”
Rhonda Jaipaul-O’Garro, Fulbright Scholar/University of the West Indies
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Grateful to CRN
We had a fantastic experience at the CRN 1776 Challenge Cup Caribbean. The preparatory session and information from judges were priceless and enabled us to reexamine and strengthen critical aspects of our business model. We are very excited to be one of the top three startups that received the nod to attend the Regional Challenge Cup in NYC and are grateful to the Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation for organizing and sponsoring this fantastic initiative. As a social business that financially empowers survivors of domestic and sexual violence, the opportunity to pitch in NYC and to be mentored by leading experts is exciting and invaluable.”
Asiya Mohammed, Conflict Women
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Impact on my business
The CRN 1776 Challenge Cup-Caribbean has had an amazing impact on my business already. People are recognizing the brand, asking questions and setting up appointments. The CCC has aided in bringing our name not only to St. Lucia but the rest of the Region. EcoCarib from the name alone is dedicated to the Caribbean region and this platform was coherent with our goal. We look forward to the next event and the continued innovative drive of our fellow Entrepreneurs throughout the Region.
Eco Carib, Denell C. Florius
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Exciting Weeks
I have had 5 wonderful and exciting weeks working with Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation. I have learned so much about what it is like to have a job and how to act in the workplace. Also I had a really lovely time coming to this internship and working with your internship and mentoring team.
L. Unkenholz, German National
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Rewarding Experience
My daughter’s involvement with SFSI as an international coordinator has been rewarding….
D. Chung, Guyanese National
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Positive Change
I am convinced women like you will bring about the positive change we badly need in our countries, and move our nations and our people to the next level. I will always support you and your bold ideas.
Caribbean National, Washington, DC
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Success is here…
CRNF does such a tremendous job! Success is around the corner.
Caribbean Heritage, Martinique
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Leverage the Diaspora
“I do believe that our Caribbean needs to leverage the diaspora to move forward especially at this stage of our development!”
Barbados, National
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I strongly believe…
I strongly believe in the diaspora giving back to our Caribbean region…that is why I support the work and mission of the Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation, Inc…I encourage you to get involved and be a part of this movement for change throughout the region.
Jazz and Opera Singer, Marie Claire, Dominica
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Thanks for this opportunity…
Thanks for this opportunity. I just stumbled on your website and I have been looking for an organization like this one. I would like to become a member Or even volunteer in some capacity. I love everything that you are doing and wish you all the success because we really need organizations like yours.
BAHAMAS, Nature & Health
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Better Job Opportunity
Since becoming a part of CRNF”s students for students network, I have been provided with a better job opportunity and have learned valuable career development skills that will help me in the future. I have been exposed to a much wider network of professionals who truly care about helping students grow and succeed academically as well as in the workforce. In addition to the job opportunities, I have also been given the opportunity to meet other students and participate in “Students for Students Initiative” (SFSI) events such as interviewing prominent individuals in the Caribbean Diaspora. I would highly recommend SFSI to any student looking for ways to gain work experience and learn new skills.
Esther P, Nigera
We appreciate you!
Friends of CRN
You can participate at
OUR EVENTS
- $No fee -
June 24, 2015 , Washington, DC
CRN AT THE WHITE HOUSE
CRN was invited to attend The White House Caribbean-American Heritage Month 10th Anniversary Briefing and Reception on June 24, 2015. Attendees were briefed on Immigration, Strengthening and Sustaining Communities, and the Administration’s Efforts on Issues in the Caribbean Region. Jeh Johnson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security gave the Key Note Address.
- $No fee -
August 23, 2013 , Trinidad and Tobago
“Banking on Returning Nationals: A Solid Investment”
Convening best ideas and approaches on ways to leverage the financial assets and the skills of the diaspora living in foreign countries to connect them to local opportunities, build stronger economies, enhance broad-based development, and bring about a positive social change in their countries of origin.
USA and Caribbean
Contact US
+ 1-240-619-3922
UNITED STATES: 9103 Woodmore Centre Drive, #304, Lanham Maryland 20706 - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: 133 Cayenne Drive, La Plata, Valencia, Trinidad & Tobago