The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, the Bank) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening women’s leadership and technical capacity in the Caribbean energy sector, underscoring that the region’s transition to sustainable and resilient energy must also be inclusive.

Speaking at the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) 2026 Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Luncheon, CDB Vice President, Corporate Services, Mrs Gillian Charles-Gollop, said women must not only participate in the transformation of the regional energy sector but must also help shape its direction and lead its implementation. “We should not simply prepare more women for leadership. We must also ensure that opportunities exist for them to lead,” the Senior Executive said. 

The WIRE Luncheon brought together women leaders, fellows, mentors, alumni and development partners for discussions on mentorship, professional advancement and women’s growing contribution to the sustainable energy sector. The Vice President described mentorship as a transformative relationship that extends beyond career advice. Drawing on her experience as both a mentor in an earlier WIRE programme and a beneficiary of mentorship during her career, she said effective mentorship helps to build confidence, expand professional networks and enable women to recognise and pursue their potential. 

She also acknowledged WIRE mentors Dr Indrawatee Haraksingh and Dr Ruth Potosingh, as well as the fellows, alumni and partner organisations that contributed to the initiative’s development. CDB is providing financial support to the relaunched WIRE Fellowship Programme, which is being implemented by the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE). This assistance forms part of the Bank’s partnership with CCREEE through the Accelerated Sustainable Energy and Resilience Transition 2030 Regional Capacity Strengthening Programme, known as ASERT 2030. Through this investment, CDB is helping expand women’s leadership and technical capacity while advancing institutional strengthening and gender equality across the Caribbean energy sector. 

The 2026 WIRE Fellowship Programme brings together 13 women from 10 Caribbean countries. Its integrated approach combines mentorship, leadership development, professional coaching, technical training and regional networking to strengthen women’s participation, capabilities and readiness to lead within the energy sector. 

Charles-Gollop identified two priorities for the programme’s continued success: ensuring that the current fellows benefit fully from the training, mentorship and professional connections available to them; and securing WIRE’s long-term sustainability as a regional platform for women’s leadership and professional development in sustainable energy. 

She called for continued collaboration among governments, development institutions, utilities, private-sector partners and WIRE alumni. Today’s fellows, she noted, can become tomorrow’s mentors and advocates, extending the initiative’s reach and impact throughout the Caribbean. 

Closing her remarks, the Bank’s Vice President challenged participants to consider one practical step they could take during the coming year to create an opportunity for a woman in the energy sector.“It may be mentorship. It may be an introduction, a project opportunity, or ensuring that a capable woman has a seat at the table,” she said. “Small actions can make a profound difference in someone’s professional journey.” 

CDB’s support for WIRE reflects the Bank’s wider commitment to an energy transition that is sustainable, resilient and inclusive, and one in which women have the skills, networks, visibility and opportunities required to lead.

The CDB delegation at CREF 2026 also included Mrs Judith Ephraim-Schmidt, Coordinator, Sustainable Energy and Ms Charmaine Gill-Evans, Sustainable Energy Specialist.