EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE
As the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to thank you for your enduring dedication to supporting our work. The last twelve months have not been easy. As the world began its slow recovery from the pandemic, and the ongoing global cost of living crisis has pushed many into economic insecurity. Meanwhile, we will continue our work for the betterment of girls and women in the countries where we are stationed, Liberia and Grenada. Through it all, you have stayed with us. Your choice to continue supporting our work through the social, political, and economic instability of the last year has touched us deeply. And it means even more to those we serve, who can enter the new year with hope and the knowledge that they are not alone. We couldn’t do it without you. Wishing you a joyful 2023 from all at Lena Marshall Foundation.
Welcome to our new Board Members joining the newly registered foundation which will be based on the island of Grenada- Lena Marshall Foundation INC.
Grenada
We were successful in completing our registration on the Island of Grenada.
Grenada is a group of three larger islands (Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique) and several tiny islands in the Caribbean, or West Indies. It lies just north of Trinidad and Tobago, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is famous for spices and is known as the "Spice Isle", being a major source of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, and cocoa.
Why Grenada?
My father is Grenadian, and I spent my developmental years living on the island. It was an amazing experience growing up there with my brothers and other family members. I have beautiful and many fond memories of the Tri Island state. It has always been my dream to return on the island and serve as I do in West Africa – my maternal home.
Thanks to my cousins Associate Attorney Aloytha Thomas and Dr Dianne Charles for all their support in facilitating this process of the Incorporation through the State of Grenada – Lena Marshall Foundation INC
Grenada Board Members
Mrs. Christine Nelles Managing Partner - Le Phare Bleu (Marina Resort- Grenada)
Once upon a time hospitality professionals Christine and Devin met working in an old historic railway hotel in Canada, The Fort Garry Hotel. Beginning first as colleagues & friends then flourishing into husband and wife. They married in Hawaii where the dream of island life was born. After getting back to Canada in the dead of winter (-35 Celsius…true story!) they sold their house, car and put some items into storage and left for the Caribbean with no set plans other than to take their hospitality skills with them (sizzled as some would say). Grenada was the first stop in 2004 as they had some family to stay and visit with. Shortly thereafter they met Wendy and Bernardo (the owners of Laluna and one thing quickly led to another, and they began a journey managing their first Caribbean boutique hotel.
Mrs Jennifer Robertson (Chartered Banker) – Grenada Co-operative Bank Ltd
“I am a passionate advocate for and a supporter of community and philanthropy. My passion also includes coaching, mentoring, and teaching young and aspiring professionals. People with a particular interest for women is pivotal to me as men and women continue to face challenges in obtaining equity and in maintaining holistic balance while aspiring to greater personal and professional achievements.”
Ms. Uselyn Deary – Registered Nurse
“I have worked as a RN since 1985. During my nursing career I have worked in Critical Care, Oncology, Administration, Education, and general medicine. I served as Adjunct Faculty for several nursing programs in Houston. Currently working in Cardiovascular Critical Care as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. I started early in life as a single mother of 4 and have worked my way to earn 2 master’s degrees. I enjoy teaching the new generation of graduate nurses and will continue in this field that I love until I am physically unable to do so. I currently live in Texas and love to travel. One of my long-time goals has been to mentor young women professionally and personally as I know what the struggle has been.”
Ms. Anna Richards – Therapist, Asian Spa, located at Le Phare Bleu in Egmont, Grenada
Dr Dianne Charles
Dr Dianne Charles-Peterson grew up in the small Grenadian town of Tivoli. She immigrated to the United States and started her career in U.S. Marine Corps, where she
served in for eight years. After being honourably discharged she earned her BSc in Criminal Justice in 2008, two master’s degrees in Business Administration and Health Care Management in 2010, and a doctoral degree in International Business in 2017. She has been working in various administrative positions at three Canadian Universities
and the U.S. Department of Defence. Currently, Dianne resides in Canada and is spending her time supporting the work of the Lena Marshall Foundation to better the lives of women and children and to unlock their potential.
“Opportunities don't happen, you create them.”
Mrs. Lena Marshall
Executive Director
2022