About the dyc

Avon Carty joined the team at the Department of Youth and Culture (DYC) on 1 October 2015 as the Programme Officer (Culture) and was promoted to Senior Programme Officer (Culture) in January 2018. 0n 8 July 2019 she was promoted to Director, DYC after applying for the post which became vacant when former Director Bren Romney, transferred to the position of Chief Education Officer, Department of Education.

Avon is passionate about all things Anguillian and is deeply committed to youth development and well-being and the recording and preservation of Anguilla’s cultural and artistic heritage. She is thrilled by the opportunities afforded to her to play a part in the moulding of Anguilla’s future as a part of the dynamic team at the DYC.

Before joining the DYC, Avon was employed with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as the Residence and Estate Manager at the Governor’s Office and a Proof Reader at the Regional Law Revision Centre. Prior, she served in several capacities in Cable and Wireless (now FLOW) Anguilla and Montserrat, namely; Market Research Analyst, Marketing Manager and Corporate Communications Manager, for over 17 years. She holds a BSc in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus and an MSc in Development Management, from the Open University, London.

Mrs. Joleyne S. Robin-Williams joined the department in June 2013 as the Programme Officer, (Youth). In 2016 Mrs. Robin-Williams was promoted to Senior Programme Officer in the Youth Affairs Division. In her role, she is responsible for leading the Youth Affairs Division and programmes with the support of her team.

In 2009, Mrs. Robin-Williams completed her Bachelors of Business Administration (Hons) in Hospitality Management at Monroe College, New York. Ms. Robin is also a Chevening Scholar (2017-2018), with her Masters of Arts (Hons) in Children, Youth and International Development from Brunel University, London. She is committed to the continued development of young people and youth development in Anguilla.

She is passionate about the wellbeing of children and young people and has devoted her spare time to assisting with many charitable events locally and internationally. She enjoys working with and for young people to create avenues that foster youth participation, development and empowerment.

Edmond Mbiaka once said, “The main purpose of education isn’t just to receive a certification that leads to a career, but to become a well-rounded person in so many aspects of life.”

Characterised by so many differentiating career backgrounds, and holding a BA (Hons) Business Studies, Tiffany maintains that being well rounded has always been her aim in life, as no exciting journey begins and ends in the same place while doing the same thing. With a background in finance, administration, hospitality and events, Tiffany joined the Department of Youth & Culture in November 2019. In her role, she is responsible for all things related to Anguilla’s arts scene, as well as preserving & promoting our cultural aspects. She is passionate about her position within the department and enthusiastically welcomes visits with others who share a vision of impacting both the culture & arts of Anguilla.

Kemoloy Murphy started her journey at the Department of Youth and Culture in September 2016. Ms. Murphy is currently reading for her MSc Project Management at the University of the West Indies, Open Campus. She is an avid reader and a member of the Optimist Club of Anguilla where she serves as President. She is dedicated to the youth of Anguilla and her mission is to become a catalyst for change.

Mrs. Jocelyne Mills has served in the Anguilla Public Service for almost 15 years and, for as long as she can remember, has had a keen interest in the welfare of young people. This interest motivated her to engage in a study of youth, to enable her to better contribute to their development. In her current position as a professional youth worker at the Department of Youth and Culture, Mrs. Mills is inspired to do her best to contribute positively to youth development in her homeland, Anguilla.

Her passion and desire to continue in this field, has inspired her to enrol in furthering her studies in an effort to bring more value to the positive development of children, adolescents and youth across Anguilla. Serving in her capacity as Programme Officer – Youth, Mrs. Mills provides the Department of Youth and Culture with support and technical assistance to facilitate young people in becoming responsible and productive citizens.

Mrs. Mills holds a BSc in Youth Development Work (First Class Honours), which was nurtured out of her personal interest and aspirations to support positive development in young people. She continues to aspire for greater accomplishments as she strives to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Mrs. Mairyshaw is no stranger to the department. Over the years, the department has assisted with the success of the North Valley Cultural Fest and Champs Annual Kite Fest, to which she is the Chairperson.

She is a smart, personable and dedicated colleague. Through her administrative role, Mrs. Mairyshaw assists local artists and culture practitioners gain positive promotion with their varying endeavours; as well as empowering and preserving their initiatives, consistent with the departments’ mandate.

Kalyn is also a quick learner who is dedicated to self-improvement as evidenced by her completion of an Executive Secretarial Administration course and post-secondary studies in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the Anguilla Community College. Kalyn is now a student at the University of the West Indies pursuing her Bachelors of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Kalyn has brought her same dedicated attitude of excellence in her previous endeavours to the culture division within The Department of Youth and Culture.

Toniquewah Ruan joined the Department of Youth & Culture team on May 18th, 2020 as Programme Assistant- Youth. Growing up in The Farrington which is a very close-knit community and being a primary school teacher, piqued her interest in youth and community work. She further grew a passion for working with youth from being involved in various extra-curricula youth projects, especially during Carnival time. In her leisure time, she enjoys dancing, baking and listening to music. Toniquewah is currently pursuing a BSc in Youth Development Work with a minor in Management at the University of the West Indies.

Shanicia Richardson joined the Department in July 2015 as a Senior Clerical Officer.
One of the first faces to see when visiting the Department eager to assist a help all customers, in 2018 she was the winner of the Outstanding Customer Service Award from the Anguilla Public Service Employee Recognition Awards.

2019 she was promoted to the role of Executive Secretary, with responsibilities for the Department’s administrative duties.
Shanicia is pursuing her BSc in Management Studies at the University of the West Indies.
Craft making and baking are a few hobbies she enjoys in her spare time.
She describes herself as an extremely ambitious and creative individual.

Melsadis Fleming–Centre Manager, Herchel Gumbs Community Centre Upon retiring from the Anguilla Public Service in July 2019 as Deputy Principal of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, Campus B, Educator Octavia Melsadis Fleming had given forty-one (41) years of yeoman’s service to the development of Education in Anguilla.

Over those years she had the opportunity to help mould young lives both at the Primary and Secondary School levels and continues to spread such influence as she helps to prepare teachers in training at the Anguilla Community College. She joined the team at the Department of Youth and Culture in October 2019 as Centre Manager of The Herchel Gumbs Community Development Centre, a new initiative in The Valley. In this capacity, she is responsible for the daily administrative processes which occur at the centre.

Additionally, she actively participates in and coordinates the ongoing development of various programmes and initiatives at the centre, the recruitment and support of tutors, volunteers, students and others who benefit from the offered programmes. Her commitment and deep passion for the Visual and Creative Arts will, to a large extent, influence some of the future endeavours at the centre. Mrs. Flemingholds academic qualifications both as a Primary and Secondary school teacher and has had many years of training and practical experiences in preparing students for the CXC level in Visual and creative Arts. She also holds a Master of Education Degree in Educational Management, Administration and Policy Studies. She has made a life-long commitment to the development of education, hence for her “it is an honour to serve.”

Josette V Duncan was born on the island of Anguilla and grew up in the quiet and peaceful area of Sea Feathers in East End. Her education started at the East End Primary school now the Morris Vanterpool Primary School, then on to the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.
She is presently employed with the Government of Anguilla as Centre Manager for The Hope Centre in Sandy Hill.

Jemima Romney has been employed as Centre Manager of the Blowing Point Youth Development (BPYDC) since April 2008 and joined the team at the Department of Youth and Culture in July of 2016.
As Centre Manager, she is responsible for the day-to-day administrative processes of the Centre. She participates in the development of programmes and initiatives, monitoring and evaluation of the centre’s programmes and assists in the preparation of strategic plans, business plans, and centre budgets. She also coordinates the work of staff and volunteers engaged in the delivery of the Centre’s programmes, and liaises with clients, community members, the Ministry of Social Development and other stakeholders, to ensure the smooth and effective running of the organisation.
Jemima has a passion for youth and community work.