​Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa is bursting with pride as they celebrate the remarkable achievement of their Learning and Development Manager, Carlene Spencer.

At the recent annual Women of Wadadli and Wa’Omoni (WOW) Awards, hosted by the Directorate of Gender Affairs Department (DoGA), Carlene was recognized for her outstanding contributions to national development, earning not one, but two prestigious awards.

Carlene was among seventeen exceptional women honored at the awards ceremony, which was held in celebration of International Women’s Day. Her dedication and impact were recognized in both the Tourism and Education categories, a testament to her multifaceted expertise and commitment.

“I am humbled,” Carlene shared, reflecting on her win. “I pledge to remain committed to inspiring others and providing the needed support to women within my community, as well as in all areas that I can make an impact.”

Jamie Saunders, executive director of DoGA, lauded Carlene’s achievement saying, “it was admirable that Carlene was nominated in two different categories and demonstrated a similar level of excellence in both. Our non-partisan judges found her deserving of awards in both fields, which speaks to her competence and leadership capacity.”

Carlene’s impressive credentials include a master’s degree in human resource management, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching Business, a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies, and a certification as a Hospitality Trainer from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute.

Currently, as Learning and Development Manager at Sandals Grande Antigua, Carlene continues to champion education, inspiring over 800 team members to engage with the Sandals Corporate University’s developmental programmes for professional and personal advancement.

As a trailblazing force on the management team at Sandals, she proactively mentors young women in the resort’s Hospitality Training Programme, nurturing holistic growth beyond professional aspirations into areas like health, fitness and personal deportment.

​Sandals General Manager, David Latchimy shared, “Carlene is celebrated for her supportive approach to the needs of the team, offering guidance and development plans to foster overall improvement, consistently exceeding expectations as an educator and leader, as highlighted by team member’s heartfelt testimonials of her long-standing mentorship since joining the team.”

He shared that her dedication to woman empowerment extends beyond the workplace, evident in her impactful training sessions at schools and youth organizations and her volunteerism with Sandals Foundation, where she dedicates countless hours to community outreach. “Most notable is her 2024 collaboration with the Sandals Foundation where she spearheaded interactive development sessions for female students at All Saint’s Secondary for International Women’s Day celebrations.”

Carlene’s exceptional contributions have garnered numerous accolades over the years, including an Exemplary Service Award from the Princess Margaret Secondary, Manager of the Month (April 2024, Sandals Grande Antigua) and the prestigious Tourism and Hospitality Award at the inaugural WOW Factor Awards (November 2024), solidifying her legacy as a transformative figure in the field of education and leadership.

She is also alongside a stellar line-up of presenters for the enrichment sessions of the Caribbean Women Match Officials Course, later this month, being held in conjunction with the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association.

The Directorate of Gender Affairs (DoGA) sees the Women of Wadadli and Wa’Omoni (WOW) awards as a unique opportunity, to recognize and validate the contributions that women have made and continue to make as it relates to national development, across a variety of fields and sectors and Carlene has secured her spot among the nation’s transformational leaders.

This was the second installment of the award ceremony, the first having been held in 2020. The awards aim to specifically highlight women’s contributions to national development and promoting gender equality.