Leadership Cayman 2026 Cohort Completes Sister Islands Opening Retreat

The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the Leadership Cayman Class of 2026 has successfully completed its annual Sister Islands Opening Retreat, held in Cayman Brac following the programme’s Orientation Dinner at Grand Old House on 14 January.

The retreat marks the first major milestone in the six-month leadership development programme, offering participants an immersive introduction to key civic, social, and economic issues influencing the Cayman Islands. This year’s cohort of 24 professionals travelled to Cayman Brac for several days of structured workshops, community engagement, and sector-focused learning.

The opening component of the retreat centred around an intensive leadership workshop facilitated by Dr. Peter Hammerschmidt, a respected expert in team building and conflict resolution. Over two days, participants explored their leadership styles through interactive exercises and group challenges designed to strengthen communication, collaboration, and self-awareness — a signature feature of the Leadership Cayman experience.

Chamber Programmes Coordinator Jada Ramoon praised the enthusiasm and chemistry of this year’s class, noting: “The opening retreat was a massive success; the class was very interactive with Dr. Hammerschmidt. They all meshed so well together and hit it off immediately. I am looking forward to continuing to work with the class and to see what they will achieve.”

A key highlight of the retreat was the Sister Islands Perspective seminar, which provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of community development and public

leadership within Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. This year’s panel featured three distinguished presenters:

• Mark Tibbetts, Cert. Hon., JP, District Commissioner, Cayman Brac & Little Cayman

• Inspector Leslie Laing-Hall, Area Commander for Cayman Brac

• Mr. Josh Baker, Deputy Registrar & Campus Manager, UCCI Cayman Brac Campus

Each speaker offered valuable insights into governance, public safety, local education pathways, and the evolving needs of Sister Islands residents — reinforcing the importance of community-centred leadership across all levels of Cayman society.

In keeping with longstanding programme tradition, the cohort also participated in a guided tour of Cayman Brac, visiting key cultural and historical sites including the iconic Lighthouse, Heritage House, and the farm-to-table restaurant Le Soleil. In previous years, participants have also toured Faith Hospital to gain firsthand understanding of healthcare provision within the Sister Islands

As the cohort returns to Grand Cayman, participants will begin the full schedule of bi-weekly seminars, site visits, and facilitated discussions that define Leadership Cayman. Alumni consistently describe the opening retreat as the experience that transforms the cohort from a group of professionals into a unified leadership community — a dynamic clearly reflected in the Class of 2026’s strong start.

The Chamber of Commerce congratulates the 2026 cohort on completing this significant first step and looks forward to supporting their continued development in the months ahead