ANNUAL REPORT 2020/2021 | VOL 2
About Us 4 From The Chairman
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From The Desk of the CEO
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Fundraising Milestones
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Accelerating Through The Challenges
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On The Horizon
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Donor Listing 24 Donor Profiles 25 Our Boards 28 Our Staff 31 Ways to Give
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Who We Are:
One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) is a nonprofit community development organisation incorporated in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Led by a committed team and Board of Directors, OEF is an organic collaboration of different community actors and organisations that have recognized the island’s challenges, opportunities, and assets and have committed to developing a comprehensive, sustainable plan for Eleuthera. We represent a gathering of professionals and organisations that share a commitment to A Shared Vision for South Eleuthera built on the responsible stewardship and development of our island’s many assets and resources. One Eleuthera Foundation of the U.S. (OEF-US) is a registered 501(c)3 headquartered in the Carolinas. Founded in 2016, its mission is to support the work of OEF and its partners as they seek to fulfill the Shared Vision.
Title: Full Circle:
The title for our Annual Report represents how One Eleuthera Foundation goes from “gift to impact,” year-in and year-out in a balanced yet dynamic sequence. Just as the earth moves around the sun, it is a consistent cycle where the investments of time, expertise, and finances contribute to a larger whole which creates a momentum of its own. Each Annual Report depicts the impact our gifts have had not only on our immediate communities but the country at large. It highlights the strategies being deployed to strengthen our communities, connect the island, and plan for the future as we go “Full Circle” with each new year.
VISION:
To facilitate Eleuthera in becoming a thriving, inclusive, and equitable community-driven ecosystem for sustainable development, social empowerment, and economic ownership. MISSION: To transform communities into thriving, successful, and scalable models of sustainable development and progressive change. We accomplish this through planning, strengthening, and connecting. 1. Planning and innovating for a sustainable future. 2. Strengthening people, communities, and key organisations & partners. 3. Connecting communities to knowledge, resources, and capital to effect sustainable development and progressive, long-term change.
Authors: Lane Glaze Yolanda Pawar
Design: Nicky Saddleton Infographics Sherwin Johnson
Photography: Maisie Thompson Jade Sands Kenwood Cartwright
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I am pleased to present the Annual Report for the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF), which highlights the significant achievements of the organisation during the year. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I would like to thank you for your generous support of the Foundation. This year has been an extremely challenging one due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, local and global measures taken to address the spread of the virus have had a significant impact on employment and the local economy. Despite these challenges, OEF remains focused on its mission to empower the community of Eleuthera in accordance with its Five Key Areas of Focus: Economy, Education, Environment, Health, and Heritage. These key areas of focus were inspired by A Shared Vision for South Eleuthera, which recently celebrated its 11th Anniversary. As a result of your efforts, OEF was able to enhance the feeding program on the island of Eleuthera, strengthen our partners like the South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP), expand the Learn and Earn program to North Eleuthera via the Center for Training and Innovation (CTI), launch a farmers market where members of the community are able to purchase fresh, locally grown produce, bottled goods, and specialty crafts and commence the erection of the Cravo Cooling House which will address the issue of
food security and introduce a new method of growing crops year-round. Special thanks to the Senior Management Team and the hardworking staff of OEF, led by President and CEO Shaun Ingraham, for their efforts during the year. I also wish to acknowledge the contributions of the many partners in the community, including local residents and second homeowners who continue to give of their time and resources to the programs of OEF. Finally, many thanks to my colleagues on the Board for your continued support and commitment to the organisation and the sustainable development of Eleuthera. It is truly an honor to serve as Chairman of this great and much-needed organisation. I remain confident that by working together, we will accomplish the goals that have been set for the One Eleuthera Foundation while improving the lives of the residents of Eleuthera. Thank you for your ongoing support. Mario Smith Chairman
“OEF remains focused on its mission to empower the community of Eleuthera in accordance with its Five Key Areas of Focus: Economy, Education, Environment, Health, and Heritage. These key areas of focus were inspired by A Shared Vision for South Eleuthera, which recently celebrated its 11th Anniversary.”
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Shaun Ingraham | President & CEO
“Success doesn’t just happen. It’s planned for.” Anonymous Through my many years of doing humanitarian work in some of the most remote, poverty and disasterstricken countries around the world I’ve often heard the saying, “Planning is a first-world luxury.” In truth, when lives are at stake and you’re faced with the unexpected and unpredictable, there’s no arguing that adaptability is vital but having a plan to guide your efforts and mitigate your losses is paramount. We at OEF have always prided ourselves on the forward-thinking plan outlined in the Shared Vision for South Eleuthera birthed more than eleven years ago. The visionary ideas outlined within have anchored our organization to its Core Values and ambitious mission while providing the flexibility to usher in innovative solutions to some of our country’s biggest challenges. We are proud of our track record, particularly the past two years, as we faced two of the most devastating and unprecedented events in our country’s and world’s history: Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Once again, our strategic planning efforts allowed us to adapt and respond to our community’s most critical needs without losing sight of the mission. For this reason, I am most grateful and excited about our five-year Strategic Plan which builds on the foundation of the Shared Vision while carving out a path for today and the years ahead. Having been Board approved, much of this plan is already underway and will continue to define and shape our strategic priorities according to our organisation’s
Five Key Areas of Focus. Significant highlights from the plan for the upcoming year include: • Launching of the Cravo Cooling House operations • Relaunching of the Tea Room (and integrating it more fully with the farm) • Constructing the first Studio Project prototypes on campus • Accelerating several key Core Partners • Expanding the training options in North Eleuthera • Completing the new Master Plan for the OEF-CTI campus I want to say a special word of thanks to our incredible team of leaders both on the ground and on our Bahamas and U.S. Boards who invested tremendous thought, effort and time fine-tuning this Strategic Plan. It’s hard to believe how far we have come since OEF was launched on Earth Day in April 2012. Our work to improve and empower our communities has remained consistent. Our efforts to conserve and protect our island’s environment has brought us international attention. Our staff consists of competent, dedicated and loyal persons who believe in our mission and our historic campus in Rock Sound is once again one of South Eleuthera’s treasures. It remains a privilege to serve as OEF’s President and CEO. I hope you enjoy learning more about our accomplishments from this past year and our exciting plans for the future. With eyes toward a better tomorrow, Shaun Ingraham | President & CEO
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On behalf of the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) and our sister entity OEF-US, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your continued support of the organisation and people we all care about. This past fiscal year has proven to be a period of true acceleration and exponential growth through changing and challenging times. Because of your generous giving and continued support, OEF has remained poised and equipped to respond to our community’s urgent and increasing needs with compassion, speed, and strength. At a time when more was required you, our faithful partners stepped up and responded by giving more. As a result, more than 8,000 vulnerable families were consistently fed, more students were given a chance at employment and entrepreneurship, more emergency medical transport and firefighting services were deployed, more small and medium businesses were supported with “back-to-work” subsidies, and more
strides were made toward achieving food security and affordable housing. This past year’s level of giving is yet another milestone for our institution. We are proud to have the broadbased support and partnership of individuals, businesses, churches, foundations, and civic groups, both from around the corner and around the world. Thanks to the faithful financial support of donors, friends, and partners we were positioned to continue making significant progress toward our Shared Vision and a safer and more secure future. We are exceptionally grateful to those who continue to believe in the vision and sustain the ongoing operations of OEF with unrestricted gifts. Your generosity empowers us to help our communities and put people first every single day. Thank you for joining us on this mission!
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Accelerating through the challenges The fiscal year of 2020-2021 presented its fair share of challenges while revealing new opportunities for OEF to accelerate and power forward with sustainable solutions for our island and nation.
Innovation (CTI), we expanded our technical training programs, increasing employment outcomes and fostering entrepreneurship by providing business grants and professional mentorship to students.
Still staggering from the aftershocks of an ongoing global health pandemic, countries around the region, including The Bahamas, have had to endure major disruptions in travel and tourism, our number one industry; an escalating health care crisis; a severe economic downturn; and mounting concerns around food security and our overall sustainability.
This year, we also established and sanctioned a fiveyear strategic plan for OEF. This strategic plan guides our growth, taking into account current realities and potential future shocks. It provides the framework to balance long-term impact with strategic agility, ensuring we remain responsive to the needs of our community while achieving our organisation’s big-picture goals.
The implications of these inescapable and unprecedented challenges left OEF with only one course of action: to accelerate through the turbulence…and accelerate we did! Over the last year, much has happened for which we can all be proud. Major capital projects transitioned from concept to construction on campus, including our revolutionary Cravo Cooling House (CCH) and 1,930 sq. ft. farmers market building. We donated two ambulances to South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP), extending emergency transport services across the island and into settlements in the North. OEF rallied with partners to provide an island-wide food distribution network that fed thousands in our community during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Centre for Training and
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OEF remains steadfast and focused on leading the way with innovative solutions for Eleuthera and its people through the challenges of this pandemic and beyond. Every gift given is an investment in a sustainable future, backed by our resolute commitment to leverage our expertise, experience, and resources to drive results and impact lives on a local, national and regional level. On the following pages, you’ll find key highlights of the remarkable projects and partnerships that shaped our community footprint and accelerated our growth and impact this past fiscal year. Enjoy!
ECONOMY
Business is Building at The Retreat Hotel The Retreat Hotel at CTI is back in business! We are grateful that tourism is rebounding in Eleuthera as visitors begin returning to our shores for safe and relaxing holidays. Located at our Rock Sound campus, The Retreat is the only dual hotel and hospitality training facility in The Bahamas. Here, students are able to gain live and valuable hospitality training experiences while delighting our guests. Through The Retreat, we are investing in an industry essential to our economy while building lives and improving livelihoods. We look forward to welcoming new and returning guests for a one-of-a-kind rejuvenating stay at our quaint, bungalow-style, 16-room hotel. OEF Steers Back-To-Work Programs Local businesses have had to bear the financial burden of continuous interruptions due to COVID-19 restrictions. As a result, many small and medium
businesses have struggled to keep their doors open and staff employed especially non-essential businesses like restaurants. To extend a financial lifeline and give the local economy a much-needed boost, OEF launched the Back-to-Work program in South and Central Eleuthera. Through this initiative, a number of restaurants on the island were given a monthly subsidy of up to $5,000 to assist with operational expenses for several months. In exchange, they were required to bring staff back to work and provide hot meals for those in need within their respective communities. Expanding on this drive to get people back to work, OEF partnered with the South Eleuthera District Council to hire temporarily over a dozen people to conduct a short-term roadside cleanup initiative. Additionally, former students of the Learn and Earn program were hired to work on the OEF campus and complete the renovations, electrical work and finishing touches on the farmers market building. Cravo Cooling House Accelerates Food Security
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Cravo Cooling House Accelerates Food Security Goals Construction is nearing an end on our revolutionary, one-acre Cravo Cooling House (CCH) on our Rock Sound campus. This capital project is a significant development for our organisation and a huge stride in our quest towards local and national food security and food sovereignty. Food sovereignty enables local farmers and producers to have full control and ownership over the conditions, practices and policies that govern local food production and distribution, guaranteeing their communities access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food. Funded in partnership with The TK Foundation and The Sallingsund Bridge Foundation, the CCH differs from a traditional grow house because the structure’s roof and walls
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are fully retractable. This game-changing innovation provides protection from hurricane wind damage and allows automated control over temperature, precipitation, wind, and sun exposure. The result is the optimum climatic environment for growing hearty, healthy produce in every season. Crops traditionally grown in the cooler months will now be available year-round and in abundance to our community, local restaurants and businesses. A later phase of the CCH will introduce a state-of-the-art packing house with food processing facilities. Here local farmers, food manufacturers and entrepreneurs will be able to process and develop food products to supply local, national and potentially international markets. Investing in Eleuthera’s Farming Economy The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on food security and the world’s food supply chains. More than ever, building and expanding Eleuthera’s farming industry remains a top priority. OEF has been leading the way in strengthening and investing in local farmers through offering specialized training and access to revenue-generating opportunities. Several free agriculture and farming workshops and courses led by industry experts have been hosted by OEF/CTI in South Eleuthera over the past year, including but not limited to Introduction to Hydroponics, Apiology and Apiculture (Beekeeping), Natural Pesticides, Poultry Management and Production, Small Ruminant Management and Production and Post-Harvest Management. Our farm at the Rock Sound campus continues to provide farmers with experiential, hands-on training in traditional and new farming methods. By strengthening local farm operations through shared knowledge and the provision of resources, we’ve been working to expand the industry, create more farming jobs in South Eleuthera and increase the supply of affordable, nutritious food available to residents. Our recently launched farmers market, “We’ Farmers Market,” has given farmers a consistent marketplace to attract new and returning customers, increase revenue and showcase their produce and food products on a bi-monthly basis.
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OEF Social Enterprise Accelerator (OEFSEA) Making an Impact The OEFSEA exists to provide crucial support services to enhance and strengthen OEF’s Core Partners, other Bahamas-based social enterprises and nonprofit organisations, and students of CTI. OEFSEA’s key objectives include strengthening the dayto-day operations and organizational governance of Core Partners, so they can better serve their communities, helping fellow nonprofits move towards stronger self-governance and operational independence, and equipping CTI students with entrepreneurial skills and business development support. To date, OEFSEA has assisted more than three dozen nonprofits in registering under the government’s new legislation, while five (5) local partners have received assistance with developing annual strategic plans and operational budgets. In addition, several cohorts of CTI students have been aided in creating viable business plans and given entrepreneurial training.
OEFSEA Invests $30,000 In Eleuthera Entrepreneurs In August of 2020, OEFSEA launched the inaugural “Seed to Succeed” program in partnership with the Cotton Bay Fund as an economic initiative to empower Eleutheran entrepreneurs. Eight (8) candidates, all prior graduates of the Learn and Earn program and some currently employed with OEF, competed for a share of $20,000 to start or expand their own business.
DAVINIA CARTWRIGHT VANHORN
1st Place Winner $5,000 Grant
LYNETTE FERGUSON
2nd Place Winner $3,000 Grant
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The second installment of “Seed to Succeed” was held in June of 2021 with $10,000 in grant funding through partnerships with The TK Foundation and The Bahamas Development Bank. Students of CTI’s Learn and Earn Hydroponics Program competed, and three (3) were awarded financial grants to start their Hydroponics businesses in Eleuthera. OEFSEA worked closely with each candidate to create a business plan and pitch that was presented in front of a panel of judges from various sectors. As a result, the winning entrepreneurs earned financial grants valued at up to $5,000. Core Partners Receive $50K In OEF Grant Funding To strengthen the 2021 operational budgets of our Core Partners, OEF made a substantial donation of $50,000 across five (5) community organisations. Receiving gifts of $10,000 were: The Cancer Society of The Bahamas (Eleuthera branch); The Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Centre (EACC); Island Journeys; One Eleuthera Cooperative Credit Union (OECCUL) and South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP). Each of these organisations fulfills a pivotal function delivering programming and community services that support OEF’s five key areas of focus: Economy, Education, Environment, Health and Heritage.
MICHELLE OUTTEN
3rd Place Winner $2,000 Grant
CTI’s Learn and Earn Program Targets Unemployment Rise Learn and Earn, the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI’s) flagship technical training program based in Rock Sound, has steadily expanded, increasing its impact across Eleuthera. Many tourism-related jobs have been made redundant in the past twelve (12) months due to ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions. CTI continues to be the island’s primary source of technical skills training, giving young adults access to new skills and improved employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Students enrolled in each twelve-week course earn a weekly stipend, making it the only training program in the country where students can earn as they learn. This year we successfully graduated three Learn and Earn cohorts in Hydroponics, Electrical, and Carpentry.
Jaden McPhee – CTI-HITS Culinary Class, 2019 “I’m a resident of Harbour Island and a proud graduate of the very first CTI-HITS Culinary Class. I graduated in October of 2019, and during my course I learned a lot of baking skills. Additionally, I refined my understanding of sanitizing protocols and gained more organizational skills. The program helped me sharpen my culinary skills and gain a lot of confidence in the kitchen and within my profession. I learned that it’s okay to make mistakes, and more often than not, even with a mistake, people will still find the food to be delicious.
CTI and Harbour Island Trade School Partnership HITS More Homeruns! Increasing numbers of students on Harbour Island and the surrounding settlements in the North are benefiting from courses offered through CTI and the Friends of Harbour Island Trade Schools (FHITS.) Since its inception two years ago, eighty (80) students have graduated, and the program maintains a 95% course completion rate. To date, there have been four (4) cohorts of culinary students, three (3) cohorts of electrical students and one (1) cohort of carpentry students. Plans are in motion to expand the CTI-HITS course offering based on current workforce skill gaps and emerging entrepreneurial opportunities that can benefit students in Eleuthera while strengthening and diversifying the local economy.
Since completing this program, I was offered a full-time job as a private chef. I’ve worked as a full-time personal chef now for a year and a half and it’s provided a lot of unique opportunities, including traveling and connecting with other chefs in the industry. Currently, I’m traveling throughout the United States trying new foods. I recently toured the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York, and I intend to apply at the CIA to continue my education in the culinary arts for the fall of 2022.”
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ENVIRONMENT
Earth Day 2021 Staff and management commemorated OEF’s 9th Anniversary and annual Earth Day celebrations with a “be-kind-to-earth” half-day event at the Rock Sound campus. The day started with reducing energy consumption at the Head Office. Overhead lights, computers and devices were turned off while staff ventured outdoors to share in the daily tasks and activities on the campus farm. The team spent the morning hours immersed in nature, planting seedlings, harvesting and packing fresh produce, including beets, lettuce, sweet peppers, and chives and learning best practices for starting home and community gardens.
CTI Joins World Movement to Save the Bees In the Spring, CTI launched a new course in Apiology and Apiculture, highlighting the importance of honeybees within a global and local context. The twelve-week course was offered to students and beekeepers in Eleuthera as part of a grant and working partnership between OEF and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants. The goal was to increase honey production across the island and, in doing so, build the local bee population and industry. Students gained the hands-on skills to set up and manage a bee colony to produce honey and successfully operate their own commercial honeybee business. The OEF Apiary located at our Rock Sound campus was also doubled in size from ten to twenty beehives as part of the partnership agreement between the two organisations.
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OEF Driving Emergency Transport For Eleuthera Through our Core Partner SEEP, OEF donated two desperately needed ambulances to service Tarpum Bay and North Eleuthera. Proper medical and emergency transport has been an urgent problem for many years, with residents not having access to basic lifesaving services. Residents have suffered the indignity and danger of being transferred on the backs of trucks and in private vehicles lacking medical equipment and the intervention of medical personnel. The newly donated ambulances have been put to immediate use in facilitating the increased number of calls for emergency transport to both local clinics and airports due to COVID-19 and other emergencies. Strengthening Emergency Response Services Through SEEP SEEP continues to strengthen its operation and regularly train its community volunteers with the
assistance of OEF. However, with the organisation’s recent expansion in the North and the continued implications of COVID-19 affecting the entire island, the demands on SEEP have grown tremendously. Two volunteer training exercises have taken place for the year. The first provided First Responders from across the island with a refresher course in essential emergency response skills. Practical training included CPR, First Aid, and saving lives within the first critical minutes of a medical emergency. The second training focused on the use of specialized emergency aid equipment. The OEF Social Enterprise Accelerator has been instrumental in assisting SEEP with developing a 30-60-90-day operational plan and annual budget to further strengthen SEEP’s operations. The next step for SEEP is to support the hiring of an Executive Director.
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Eleuthera Feeding Initiative In response to the food security crisis exacerbated by the current COVID-19 pandemic, OEF was appointed as a Zone Leader for Eleuthera and assisted with establishing an island-wide food distribution network for food vouchers and hand-packed food parcels. In collaboration with the National Food Distribution Task Force and the Harbour Island Food Bank, we provided urgent, ongoing food assistance to over eight thousand (8,000) residents from Harbour Island in the North to Deep Creek in the South and every settlement in between. In partnership with the Methodist and Anglican churches, OEF was also able to support hot meals twice a week to more than four hundred elderly persons in South Eleuthera and later to Central Eleuthera.
and livelihoods. Through a grant in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), OEF is providing continued assistance for evacuees who remain in Eleuthera. The program affords financial support through micro-grants to help survivors develop their small business ideas on Eleuthera, enabling them to earn an income and improve their stability. In addition, utility and rental assistance is currently being provided for those experiencing financial difficulties.
UUSC Research Project Aids Hurricane Dorian Survivors Following Hurricane Dorian, Eleuthera became home to hundreds of evacuees who lost everything in the storm. OEF immediately stepped in, providing ongoing assistance with daily meals, housing, counseling services and job placement. Almost two years later, Dorian survivors continue the challenging task of rebuilding their lives
Help Is On The Way For Non-Communicable Disease Patients The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing (NHWSN) at Emory University recently teamed up with OEF to launch a three-month research project assessing the treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) on Eleuthera.
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Displaced survivors from the Haitian Creole-speaking communities are also being engaged to understand and address their current challenges post-Dorian. As part of this initiative, they have received additional support, including food assistance.
Non-Communicable Diseases, including diabetes and hypertension, are a leading cause of death in The Bahamas. The Non-Communicable Diseases study will explore the need for additional trained healthcare workers to provide education and basic in-home healthcare for patients with chronic health issues. The outcome will be a report presented to OEF and the Ministry of Health to implement a home visitation program to address the challenges of island residents with complex healthcare issues. Collaborators include students and professionals from the NHWSN and the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, The Bahamas Ministry of Health, business and civic leaders, local healthcare workers and private clinics in Eleuthera.
Heritage & Culture Plans are underway to identify a dynamic new Executive Director (ED) for the Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Centre (EACC) located in Tarpum Bay. In this new role, the ED will be responsible for organising cultural activities for the public at large, preserving and fostering cultural values within the island of Eleuthera and promoting cultural interactions while developing an exciting and diverse local arts and culture sector. The vision of the EACC is to have a first-rate facility that competes at an international level and attracts and hosts world-class patrons, artists and performers. Stay tuned for groundbreaking news and updates!
Staff and Student Wellness At The Forefront Our in-house Wellness Consultant, Stephen Thompson, has been leading the charge in supporting our staff, community, and students with wellness education and counseling. A trained Clinical Psychologist, Stephen works to ensure that OEF’s most valuable asset, its people, are supported in maximizing their health and wellbeing. To broaden OEF’s impact, special health and wellness programs have been extended to students of CTI and the community at large via in-person and virtual seminars. Staff and student wellness continues to be a priority as we encourage the development of healthy lifestyles and habits across the organisation.
HERITAGE
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On the Horizon
As OEF looks toward the start of its second decade in the spring, it is tempting to hit “Pause” for a few months to celebrate all that OEF and its partners have accomplished. We certainly believe that we deserve it! But unfortunately, the challenges that continue to face the island of Eleuthera and the greater Bahamas are simply too great to “rest on our laurels.” Too many people remain hungry. Economic opportunities continue to be scarce. Access to resilient and affordable housing is limited. And hovering over everything is the threat of another devastating storm hitting the country before we are able to recover from the last catastrophic one. For these and other reasons, the OEF team remains focused on the mission clearly outlined in the Shared Vision years ago. Our recently adopted Strategic Plan 2020-2025 seeks to build on our past successes while continuing to work on some of Eleuthera’s most significant threats: (1) food sovereignty and security, (2) training and (3) sustainable, affordable and resilient housing. In addition, OEF has prioritized continuing the assistance of our Core Partners in their development as independent, self-supporting members of the nonprofit sector and the overall ecosystem of the Eleutheran community along with the creation of a new Campus Master Plan to inform our strategic planning efforts.
Improving Food Sovereignty and Security In recent years the need to improve The Bahamas’ food sovereignty and security has been a topic of national conversation. After Hurricane Dorian’s devastation in the fall of 2019 and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic, this concern has risen on the national agenda due to the spike in prices for imports and shortages of various supplies given the global demands.
key components in addressing food insecurity. OEF will continue to share its farming insights and knowledge with local farmers. The CTI Farm will continue to be an “outdoor classroom” and live laboratory open to all interested in learning more about hydroponics, crop rotation, soil replenishment, apiology, food processing and preparation and other important agricultural techniques and best practices.
For a number of years now, Bahamians have been wrestling with the implications of not owning certain critical aspects of our economy. In 2017 the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), in a report entitled “Caribbean Region Quarterly Bulletin: Commodities in the Caribbean,” indicated that The Bahamas’ dependence on fossil fuels and food imports “poses risks to economic substantiality and food security.” In 2019, The Bahamas imported nearly $790 million in goods, most of which were food or food-related. Additionally, the IDB report revealed a food import dependency ratio of 0.92, the second highest in the Caribbean. These numbers have only grown worse since Hurricane Dorian and the loss of dozens of farms on the island of Abaco.
In the next phase of this project, we plan to embark upon the construction of a Packing House and Food Processing facility that will help to prepare, process, pack, and store produce from the CCH for distribution. This facility will also have classroom space and a tissue culture lab that will allow experimentation and optimize the growing conditions for seedlings to germinate. In turn, this will allow our farm to produce added-value products and create avenues for other local farmers to sell their products and reduce wastage on their respective farms. This facility will also support the food processing courses for farmers and students interested in learning how to create new products from their produce that can generate other revenue streams.
To address the impact of unemployment and food insecurity on Eleuthera due to Hurricane Dorian COVID-19, OEF has partnered with The TK Foundation and The Sallingsund Bridge Foundation to construct a one-acre Cravo Cooling House (CCH) on our Rock Sound campus. The CCH, with its ability to control water, sunshine and temperature through its retractable roof system, allows not only for expanded growing seasons but the ability to grow leafy, nutrient-rich vegetables that are currently imported. In time, OEF believes that the produce grown in and food by-products yielded by the CCH throughout the year will significantly enhance the island’s food sovereignty. Along with the CCH, OEF knows that supporting and training local farmers and promoting home gardens are
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Needless to say, the future of farming is now at a critical turning point in The Bahamas. Capital investments like the CCH and the provision of training and support through the CTI Farm will ensure that experienced and new farmers are equipped and supported in their work. Ultimately, OEF envisions Eleuthera reclaiming its historical name, “The Breadbasket of The Bahamas.” Expanding Training Opportunities When the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) launched its signature Learn and Earn Program five years ago, there was a need to provide alternate pathways to employment for the youth of South Eleuthera. Since that time, CTI’s training footprint has expanded significantly. Today, programming is offered not only through Learn and Earn opportunities
based in the South but also in the North through the Harbour Island Trade School (HITS), which is operated on Harbour Island but serves students from many of the northern islands and settlements. In addition, CTI’s Virtual Campus platform has been a catalyst that has allowed a flow of creativity and innovation where students are able to access hundreds of self-guided online classes. Topics cover a wide range, including but not limited to Career Development, Business Skills, Information Technology, Soft Skills, Workplace Essentials, Small Business Training for Entrepreneurs, Human Resources, Internet Marketing and Sales and Marketing. This online platform also provides the opportunity to further offer support to the people of Eleuthera and The Bahamas. To date, seventy (70) different students have participated in CTI’s signature Learn and Earn program. While the earliest cohorts learned new skills in culinary, hospitality and the construction trades, the most recent cohorts gained skills in agricultural-related technologies. Over the years, CTI has streamlined its Learn and Earn offerings due to the economic slowdown caused by Hurricane Dorian, health challenges accompanying COVID-19 and the desire of participants to become economically stable as soon as possible. Rather than having to commit to a classroompaid apprenticeship lasting eighteen (18) months, students in CTI’s most recent Learn and Earn cohorts have undertaken a more focused 12week experience. Moving forward, CTI plans to implement this new, abbreviated-yet-focused model given the ongoing economic challenges. In the North, CTI has enjoyed a fruitful two-year partnership with the Friends of HITS, a group of donors with ties to Harbour Island who share our desire to uplift Eleutherans through training opportunities. To date, the CTI-HITS program has
graduated eighty (80) students, including four (4) cohorts of culinary students, three (3) cohorts of electrical students and one (1) cohort of carpentry students. Looking ahead, CTI and FHITS are in dialogue about expanding the footprint in the North to facilitate a wider range of training opportunities – including hospitality and advanced construction trades – for a wider range of students. Despite being under lockdown in the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic, OEF/CTI was cognizant of creating a harmonious balance for instructors and students with its Virtual Campus to reach as many people as possible. As a result, the Learn and Earn and CTI-HITS students, OEF/CTI staff and frontline workers in Eleuthera were exposed to several hundred online, self-guided courses that enabled them to strengthen their knowledge and learn new skills at their own pace. Moving forward, CTI envisions thousands of students – including some located in the most rural areas of The Bahamas – taking advantage of these virtual learning opportunities. Developing Sustainable, Affordable and Resilient Housing Alternatives For nearly a decade, OEF has been working to foster sustainable community development in the areas of economy, education, environment, health, and heritage on the island of Eleuthera. Two obstacles have made this work difficult: recurring devastating hurricanes and limited access to capital. While the history of hurricanes in The Bahamas is well documented, the challenges that native Bahamians face in accessing capital are rarely discussed. Nowhere is this reality more apparent than in the typical Bahamian’s struggle to find safe and affordable housing. Even the Bahamian government has recognized this challenge and recently launched a program to address some of these barriers.
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To address this issue, OEF is seeking to create The Studio for Affordable & Sustainable Housing (“The Studio Project”), a partnership between OEF, Michael Singer Studios and the architecture/design departments of three universities: the University of North Carolina – Charlotte (UNCC), Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the University of The Bahamas (UB). Faculty, students and professionals representing these entities have been meeting for the last two semesters, and the third cohort of students has resumed their research and development this fall. The Studio Project’s research and designs will center around creating affordable, resilient, and culturally relevant housing models. The goal will be to develop models that allow access to capital in current financing structures while also training local persons in the building, owning and operating of vacation rentals and small resorts. To date, design professionals and students have been exploring new housing models using the following variables: sustainability, resiliency, comfort, functionality, constructability, and affordability. Eventually, we hope to build models on OEF’s property where locals can stay to learn more about the homes and opportunities for ownership. Over time, OEF envisions The Studio Project helping families gain an increased sense of financial security, well-being and opportunity as they become first-time homeowners. Accelerating Core Partners “Partnering” – with churches, businesses, schools, civic groups, winter residents and visitors – has always been central to OEF’s DNA. Arguably, OEF’s ability to network with a wide range of stakeholders has been THE key ingredient to our success. Long before OEF was birthed ten years ago, a number of local entities in South and Central Eleuthera were already working to strengthen individuals and communities. In fact, a number of key personnel for these “Core Partners” eventually became some of the founders and first employees of OEF. Over time, OEF has taken on a fundraising and supportive role for many of these entities, including most notably South Eleuthera Emergency Partners SEEP, South Eleuthera Mission, Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Centre and Island Journeys.
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“Partnering” – with churches, businesses, schools, civic groups, winter residents and visitors – has always been central to OEF’s DNA. Arguably, OEF’s ability to network with a wide range of stakeholders has been THE key ingredient to our success. In our recently adopted five-year Strategic Plan, our Board has prioritized the “acceleration” of several of these Core Partners. By “accelerating” we mean assisting these partner organisations in moving beyond a volunteer-led model with limited operating budgets to fully functioning, independent members of the nonprofit sector. In most cases, this means (1) strengthening the entity’s Board governance, (2) developing funding streams, (3) registering and reviewing constitutive documents for registration under the new NPO legislation, and (4) identifying leaders who can create and implement a sustainable vision for the organisation. Much of this work is being done through OEF’s Social Enterprise Accelerator (OEFSEA), led by Mark Palmer and Laura Paine. Launched in June 2020, OEFSEA has already assisted ten (10) organisations and twentythree (23) individuals in different stages of developing their organisation or concept. As Mark Palmer likes to say, “Our goal is to strengthen OEF’s Partners to become self-sufficient and thrive without solely relying on OEF. Over time, we seek to help our Partners meet the operating standards for well-governed nonprofits, including establishing an active Board of Directors, creating strong policies and implementing a strategic plan and operational budget.” As OEF moves into its second decade, the “acceleration” process – both for long-time Core Partners and new ones – will become a trademark of our organisation. As President Shaun Ingraham says, “No one sector alone can solve the problems that The Bahamas faces as a nation. The public, private and civil sectors must learn to work together collaboratively and strategically to resolve complex issues in the years to come. Our future depends on it.”
Development of a New Campus Master Plan Over the last few years, OEF and CTI have acquired new property, and plans have been drafted to construct new infrastructure on campus. The CCH and the Farmers Market Building are symbols and representative of how these new plans and ideas have already started to shape our campus. In order to tackle food security, create new training opportunities and break down the barriers to homeownership in Eleuthera, we recognize the need to develop new strategies and facilities to achieve these goals. Now that our five-year strategic plan has been approved, we will now work on a Campus Master Plan that will support our strategic imperatives and programs. We aim to develop a campus model that encompasses eco-friendly and sustainable technologies, while
birthing innovative ideas that can solve the complex issues that face Eleuthera. In time we forsee the Rock Sound campus becoming a sanctuary for the community and visitors to experience holistic, mental, physical and spiritual healing. Conclusion Despite the monumental challenges of the last two years, OEF remains hopeful. Guided by Our Shared Vision and newly adopted Strategic Plan 2020-2025, our staff and leadership remain focused on moving the island of Eleuthera and our nation forward. As always, the relationships with donors, partners, local businesses, churches and other community stakeholders make all of this work possible.
Emory’s Inaugural Community Impact Award Bestowed on President & CEO Shaun Ingraham Shaun Ingraham, One Eleuthera Foundation’s President and CEO, was awarded the prestigious Community Impact Award on March 18th, 2021, by his alma mater, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. The Community Impact Award is the first of its kind to be awarded by the Emory Alumni Association. It seeks to recognize alumni who make a significant and positive impact on the lives of others and embody the values represented in the university’s vision. “Within the Emory family, the Community Impact Award is one of the most significant awards that an alum can receive,” noted Corrine Abraham, Associate Professor for Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff’s School of Nursing. “It has been a privilege to witness all that Shaun and his faithful team have accomplished over the years.” In accepting this award, Mr. Ingraham reflected, “I am truly humbled, but I see this award as not so much a reflection of MY work but the work of dozens of people over the years who have given of their time and resources to make OEF a reality. During this challenging time for us all, this award serves as a tangible reminder that our work continues to matter.”
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We are incredibly grateful for the 268 donors (who made a total of 430 gifts) and came together to support the work of One Eleuthera Foundation and its partner organisations for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2021.
The Friends of Eleuthera is a lifetime recognition group for any donors who have given over $100,000 cumulatively during their support of OEF. We are so grateful for this group who have made contributions of magnitude to advance the work of OEF and provide stability to the programs and operations.
Anonymous Rick and Lisa Anderson Mike and Betsy Branham Cotton Bay Fund for South Eleuthera* Fidelity Charitable Fund* James Findlay* Geoffrey Freeman and Marjie Findlay* GEF SGP Bahamas* Global Giving Fund Stephen and Mary Graves* JAB Investments Ltd* Hathaway Jade* Barbara Jordan* Louise and Gunnar Klarr Robert and Jennifer McNeil New Verdun Foundation Sand Dollar Fund* Schwab Charitable Fund Marion “Scotty” Searle* Sally Searle* Susan G Komen Foundation Brent and Robin Symonette Templeton World Charity Foundation Inc The Boston Foundation The Sallingsund Bridge Foundation The TK Foundation Tricord Foundation * Donors who have made gifts for five years in a row for the past five years have their legacy recognized with an asterisk by their name.
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Fidelity Charitable Fund* Geoffrey Freeman and Marjie Findlay* Hathaway Jade* Barbara Jordan* Schwab Charitable Fund Sally Searle* The Sallingsund Bridge Foundation The TK Foundation
Rob and Sally Baird Behr Charitable Foundation Jim and Alison Derrick* Jamie Frankfurt Matt and Penny Gibbons Pierre and Catherine Morrissette RBC Capital Markets Mark and Diane Simmons Bill and Sue Smith Peter and Judith Stanton The Dunmore Hotel Bayard and Kris Walker
Anonymous Rick and Lisa Anderson Claneil Foundation Inc Donner Foundation James E Findlay* GEF SGP Bahamas* Global Giving Fund JAB Investments Ltd* Leon Levy Foundation* Lyford Cay Foundation New Verdun Foundation Sand Dollar Fund* William L Searle Charitable Trust
$1,001- $5,000
Joan Barrett and Christopher Mahoney Caribbean Export Development Agency Stephen and Mary Graves* Doug and Katie Jordan Peter and Gretchen Menzies Prisma Health EMS Sentara Medical Transport LLC
9-5 Import Corrine Abraham Antony Beck Ellen Bentz* Ian Butler Chaco Corporation Community Foundation of Boulder County (Becker Sisters) Community Foundation of Western Northern California (Elaine Shields) Pablo Conde Mark and Megan Dowley Barbara Erskine Brenda Glaze Lane and Anne Glaze Bill and Janice Lane Betsy Lunz From Eleuthera with Love Greg and Lynlee Garmon James and Georgia Gleason George and Karen Gowen Robert and Valerie Hay Johnson Ohana Foundation King Family Foundation (Fred and Winkie King)*
Lenoir Charitable Trust Terry Long Rickey Mackey Marron Holdings Noah Ontjes Mountain Fund at Charles Schwab Pfizer Inc Michael Schmidt Donald Soffer and Michele King South Bar Club Brent and Robin Symonette Lynn Walton Kim Williams-Pulfer Emmy Wolbach
Anonymous Ellen Bailey BDR Investments LLC Sameer and Tricia Bhatti* Todd and Liza Brooker Carey Groceries and Drugs/ John E Carey Carteret Street UMC Brad and Carol Chambers Gianna Charlton Ben and Rose Cox John and Tanya Crone Robyn Curry* Paul Davidson Bob and Lynn Dobson* Emory University School of Nursing Lyn and Norin Felton Charles and Linda Findlay Ben Freeman Sam and Stacy Freeman (Whittagy Fund) Gertler Clark Foundation Mary Gillespie Letitia Hanke Robert and Barbara Head Shaun and Sandra Ingraham* Tim Ingraham* Alan Kornberg and Harold Koda Lynn Larson* Lighthouse Coaltion Avis Munroe National Instruments (NI) Jami Nordquist Joanna Paul & John McCartney St Mark UMC - Seneca SC Larry and Lynda Sheppard Keyron Smith
Francis and Frances Abbott Jane and Evan Abrams Ashley Akerberg Amazon Smile Marilyn Arseneau Annette Aspillaga Steven Bacher and Karen Courtney Alex Bain Mary and Harley Ball Bahamas Plastic Movement Austin Balser Benevity Community Impact Fund William Bourne Rachael Bonawitz Margaret Bonney James and Connie Boorman David and Christy Boudolf Diane Bowe-Pindling Carolyn Briscoe Juston and Vernita Brown John Burton Leila Buss Jim Carruthers Karen and Jerry Carter Diane and William Caster Rodger and Linda Chapman Shapreka Clarke Caroline Coburn Grace and Preston Cole Norma Cooler Community Foundation of the Ozarks David Condon Carol and Carlton Craig Hayes and Susan Cross Heather Davis Linda and James Devereaux Chip and Debby Dewing Thomas and Nancy Dinwiddie Perry and Nancy Dukes Elizabeth Dziedzic Richard and Marlene Edlund Lynne Erbaugh Joan Farrell Patti Fakunding Kathryn Fauerby Cecil Ferguson Paul and Jo Gable Martin Gallagher Cecily Gallagher Lynn Galluscio Dave and Cookie Garner Jody and Gary Gaulin Steve Greenfield Tayoka Hall Mike and Jane Harlin
DONOR PROFILE
JOAN BARRETT Joan Barrett and her husband Chris Mahoney are long-time residents of Harbour Island, Eleuthera. The couple spends most winters and several months of the summer immersed in the activities of their island community. Ms. Barrett is an avid volunteer and believes deeply in not only giving back but working together within communities to make a tangible difference. For this reason, she supports OEF as a financial donor. “One Eleuthera is an inspiration to all nonprofits, as to what you can do with a good idea and a committed group of people. I particularly enjoy supporting a broad range of efforts to improve the education of the residents of Harbour Island and North Eleuthera and increase the prosperity of the community through a more skilled workforce.” Ms. Barrett has served as President of the Friends of the Sir George Roberts Library board in Harbour Island and currently serves on the Friends of the Harbour Island Trade School (FHITS) board. This organization is partnered with OEF’s Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) in providing technical training opportunities to young people residing in North Eleuthera and the surrounding settlements.
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QUEEN’S BATH CIRCLE: up to $500 cont:
Mark and Tammy Miles Maribeth Moody Will and Riley Moody Steven and Phyllis Morgan Jennifer Muller Ferin Neff Network for Good Tim and Beth O’Connell Paulette Olson Omega Psi Phi - Pi Xi Chapter Terri Parker Yolanda Pawar Zoe Perkins Daltrum and Jane Poston Nicole Pozzo Linda Owens Gary and Connie Powell Robert and Margaret Pridgen Milena Radeva-Geis Penney Rahm Mark Rice Jim Richard Amy Richards John and Joshua Rideout Bob and Edna Rider Jean and Barbara Rogers Stacy Rossiter John Rowland
Jim Hassenstab Charitable Fund Patricia Hatcher Abby Heid Herndon Family Paul and Kim Herren Nell and Thomas Hodge Alessandra Holowesko William Horner Nan Horvat Johnny and Jane Johnson Nancy and Stephen Jusick Deryl and Carolyn Keese William Kennedy Virginia and Otto Kohler Esther Lee Anne Lever Tony and Pam Litten Sarah Lomax Janice Marvin Jennifer Massey Sandra McHugh Leaundrae McKinney Clino Melker Leanne and Tim Mertz Stephen and Patricia Meyer Tom and Kristyna Meyer
In Loving Memory
Marty and Catherine Ryan Matt and Melissa St Clair Peter and Susan Salis John and Gretchen Schuler Dina Schmidt Vic and Diane Schwarzer Anton and Hope Sealey Mario Smith James Sollins and Louise Eliasof Alicia Spivey John and Pam Spurrier Ryan and Kyrsten Spurrier Messie Squire Louisa Jenkins Stevenson Bob and Marian Stillwell Symonette Enterprises Limited Regi and Yvonne Thackston Maisie Thompson* Nancy Tompkins Josh Torn William Tucker Winslow Tuttle Rachel Tyson Noreen Vigilante Bryson and Laura Williams John and Robyn Witschey Megan Epler Wood Katharine Zimmerman
Mrs. Sally Searle
Earlier this year, we lost a true and dear friend in Mrs. Sally Searle. For over ten years, Mrs. Searle was a part of our family, generously supporting the vision and mission of the One Eleuthera Foundation and Centre for Training and Innovation. She was a compassionate and spirited individual, fully committed to living life with vigor, a sense of adventure and zest.
Our Core Partner, South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP), held a special place in Mrs. Searle’s heart. She had tremendous respect for the lifesaving work and emergency response services provided and would regularly and generously support the organisation’s expansion and community work.
Mrs. Searle loved Eleuthera, and more importantly, the people of Eleuthera. Having made Eleuthera her second home over 50 years ago, there was a deepseated bond and heartfelt connection between Mrs. Searle and her island community. She found ways to make a positive difference by championing important causes and generously supporting our organization and numerous others in the country seeking to do good.
Over the years, she formed meaningful relationships with our team members that will surely leave a true and lasting impact. Mrs. Searle enjoyed her final sunset here on her beloved island of freedom on May 2nd, 2021. We join in sending our sincere, heartfelt condolences to her children and family as we reflect on the precious memories left behind and continue to give thanks for her life, one that was well-lived.
DONOR PROFILES
Cecil Ferguson
Anton D. Sealey
Cecil Ferguson’s family roots are firmly planted in the bustling settlements of Rock Sound and Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera where his parents hail from.
Anton Sealey spent his childhood years in beautiful Savannah Sound, Eleuthera. To this day, he maintains a deep love for the island, which has now become his family’s second home. Throughout his life, Mr. Sealey has found ways to contribute to the development of his country and community through personal leadership, professional development and civic service. As a financial donor of OEF, Mr. Sealey is proud to invest in Eleuthera’s future.
As a former Foreign Service Officer within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ferguson is no stranger to social justice issues. He has had the privilege of representing The Bahamas around the world, including at the United Nations headquartered in New York. Here he served on three separate occasions and held responsibility for the Third Committee matters, which included social, economic and cultural issues. As a financial donor of OEF, Mr. Ferguson is proud to support an organisation driving inclusion and equitable social development at grassroots and national levels. As a single father of one son, Mr. Ferguson is also passionate about creating opportunities for young people who otherwise would not find employment. “The Learn and Earn program is probably my favorite because it is an opportunity to pour into the lives of the next generation. It is an excellent initiative that benefits the people of the island for positive growth and development. I have bought into the mission and vision of the One Eleuthera Foundation, and I find every creative way possible to give in to the mission and vision of the foundation, including my time and expertise.” Mr. Ferguson is an Anti-Money Laundering Specialist for a leading banking institution in The Bahamas. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for the One Eleuthera Foundation.
“I was immediately impressed by Shaun’s passion for the work of OEF, in particular the mission of OEF, which aims to solve challenges by empowering people within local communities to become organized, build capacity, capitalize on their unique, lived experiences, and play a direct role in building a sustainable community model. This compelled me to become involved as a financial supporter, as I feel that this can be a model for developing all of our family islands in The Bahamas. Once we are able to perfect the model in OEF, we will be able to assist other island communities in their development process.” At the top of Mr. Sealey’s list are OEF projects centered on food security and investing in local farmers to help “shore up the food supply for island communities in the COVID-19 pandemic.” Mr. Sealey works as a director at a leading Insurance company in The Bahamas. He recently joined the External Affairs Committee of the One Eleuthera Foundation Board and is currently Chairman of The Bahamas Insurance Association, Chairman of The Bahamas Maritime Authority, and President of The Bahamas Football Association. ONE ELEUTHERA FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2020/2021 | 27
Juan is the President of Bristol Group of Companies, a distributor, wholesaler and retailer of wines, spirits, and other related products. After earning a degree from Stetson University, Juan apprenticed with Schlumberger in Germany. He is passionate about botany and the development of The Bahamas.
With roots in Wemyss Bight and a graduate of Preston Albury High School in Eleuthera, Diane serves as a Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Claymore Group of Companies, a multi-faceted financial services group. Previously, she worked as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and in private banking.
Cecil is a Senior Manager for regional Anti-Money Laundering and AntiTerrorism Financing and Sanctions with The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company. He holds several degrees from the University of The Bahamas, Taylor University, and Nova Southeastern University. Early in his career, Cecil served as a Foreign Service Officer to the U.S. and the United Nations.
In 2012, Marjie worked closely with Tom Burns and Shaun Ingraham to launch the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF). She is President of a nonprofit college scholarship organization serving Native Americans. Along with her extended family, Marjie has been coming to South Eleuthera for over 50 years.
J. Sadye Francis, Secretary
With degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson College and Houston University, Sadye has worked as a buyer for fifteen years, a category manager for AML Foods Ltd for nine years and is the owner of The Flavour Market. She enjoys serving her community through her work with the Miss Bahamas Organization.
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Shaun Ingraham, President & CEO
Shaun Ingraham is the co-founder, President and CEO of OEF. He was born and raised in Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera where he currently resides. Over the past 25 years, he has led disaster relief and economic and social development efforts for numerous national, regional and international development organizations in more than a dozen countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Shaun has won numerous awards for his community work including a national Cacique Award from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and the inaugural Community Impact Award from his alma mater, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
Now retired, Clifford spent his career as a Chartered Accountant building Price Waterhouse Coopers into one of the preeminent firms in The Bahamas. In the 1990s he also served on The Gaming Board and the Securities Commission, and he continues to serve as a Trustee of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Dependents’ Trust.
Michelle is a Partner with the law firm Lennox Paton. She attended law school at the University of Kingston upon Thames and is a member of both the Bar of England and Wales and The Bahamas. Her areas of expertise include banking and financial services, investment funds, corporate and commercial and private client groups.
Mario Smith, Chair
With roots in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, Mario is a Senior Manager of Regional Compliance at Royal Bank of Canada with responsibility for Wealth Management and Capital Markets in The Bahamas, Barbados and the Cayman Islands. He holds degrees and diplomas from Acadia University, Canada and the University of Manchester, UK. Mario also serves on the Board of Rotary Bahamas Disaster Relief and is a Past Assistant Governor for Rotary District 7020.
Corrine Abraham, Director
A nurse educator at Emory University since 1985, Corrine has coordinated student immersion experiences in Eleuthera since 2005. Corrine and her colleagues work collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and OEF to align goals and experiences with local needs. She has received funding for two Emory Global Field Scholars grants exploring strategies to improve chronic disease management, including breast cancer, diabetes and hypertension. She also holds a joint appointment with the Atlanta VA Health Care System, where she coordinates efforts to improve the quality of care provided to veterans. Former Chairman and CEO from Conco Cos., Rob holds degrees from University of Missouri-Columbia and Georgetown University. He is a big supporter of the arts in his hometown and has been an active member of the community on Eleuthera for the last few decades.
Sameer Bhatti, Treasurer
A native of New Providence, Sameer is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Comcast. He holds degrees from Duke University, the University of Maryland, and the University of The Bahamas and has also completed training at both Harvard and Oxford. His wife, Dr. Tricia Bhatti, is a Pediatric Pathologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and shares his commitment to sustainable philanthropy focused on the Caribbean and Africa. A retired nurse and educator, Lynn and her husband Bob have been traveling and serving on Eleuthera for nearly 20 years. A North Carolina native, Lynn’s alma mater, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, has honored her with the Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award and Humanitarian Award.
In 2012, Marjie worked closely with Tom Burns and Shaun Ingraham to launch OEF. She is President of a nonprofit college scholarship organization serving Native Americans. Along with her extended family, Marjie has been coming to South Eleuthera for over 50 years.
Lane Glaze, President, OEF-US
Along with several other U.S. citizens who shared a long-time love of Eleuthera, Lane helped found One Eleuthera Foundation of the U.S. (OEF-US), a 501(c)3 incorporated in North Carolina, in 2016. Since inception, OEF-US has assisted OEF by raising and investing more than $16 million. An ordained United Methodist minister, Lane was formerly a CPA with Ernst and Young and COO of a private trust company.
With degrees from the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, Jeff is the Director of Consulting and Business Development at Sustainserv.com which is devoted to developing sustainability strategies and programs. He and his wife Sarah Scarborough were married on Eleuthera, a place that Jeff fell in love with years earlier.
Kim Williams-Pulfer, Secretary
Born in Nassau, Bahamas, and with family roots in Savannah Sound, Eleuthera, Dr. Kim Williams-Pulfer lives with her husband and three children in Indianapolis, IN. Currently, she is a Leading Edge Fellow at the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS). As a fellow, Kim is appointed to the Hurston/Wright Foundation as Research and Evaluation Manager. She also serves on the board of Charitable Allies. Her dissertation, “Get Involved: Stories of the Black Postcolonial Middle Class and the Development of Civil Society,” reflects her research interests and community work.
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In Loving Memory
This year we mourned the passing of two dear friends and former colleagues. Each of them brought their personal trademark of excellence to our organisation and left an indelible impression on our hearts. They will both be greatly missed. Loren Nixon was a member of the Landscaping Team from July 2017 to May 2020 and a proud graduate of the first Learn and Earn cohort at CTI. Loren took great pride in his work and would put his best foot forward despite any challenges. He was a team player and brought a positive, “can-do” attitude to every assignment and task. As an ambassador of The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI), Loren was widely recognized both at work and throughout the community of South Eleuthera, where he lived. His kind and friendly disposition endeared him to many, including his co-workers, who recognized Loren’s ambitious drive to develop his talents and contribute to the greater good.
E’Verne Anderson
Loren Nixon
E’Verne Anderson, affectionately called ‘Verne,’ was one of the first volunteers at OEF. Verne firmly believed in the organisation’s mission and joined the team full-time in 2015 as an Administrative Assistant. She ascended to the position of Assistant Hotel Manager of The Retreat at The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) and remained on staff until October 2020. Verne’s dazzling smile and radiant personality became the hallmark of hospitality at the front desk, where she welcomed every single visitor and hotel guest with the same level of enthusiasm and warmth. Verne radiated a genuine friendliness and inner joy that broke through every barrier and lit up the room. She was a dependable colleague and friend who took the initiative to find solutions and silver linings wherever she went.
From the OEF and CTI family
We extend our sincere gratitude to Dania Anderson and Gacintha DeveauxGordon as they each start a new season in their entrepreneurial careers. We pause to wish them both great success on the journey ahead.
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DANIA ANDERSON
GACINTHA DEVEAUX-GORDON
BERSOL BOWLEG Security Associate
SHAPREKA CLARKE
Administratrive Assistant
JERMAINE DEVEAUX
Construction & Trades Associate
DREXEL BUTLER
Construction & Trades Associate
AUDREY CAREY Operations Officer
DAVID CAREY
Construction & Trades Associate
ROBYN CURRY
TANYA DELANCEY
Executive Support Officer
SHERYL FAX
Report Services Associate & Stores
KENWOOD CARTWRIGHT
IT Officer & System Aministrator
Security Associate
LARRY FORBES
Construction & Trades Officer
SHAKERA GARDINER
Administrative Assistant, SEEP
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DEON GIBSON
SELIMA HAUBER
Agricultural Manager
TIM HAUBER
Cravo Agricultural Operations Officer
Agricultural Education & Outreach Officer
KEVON HEPBURN Construction & Trades Associate
SHERWIN JOHNSON Communications & Social Media Coordinator
KEYSHNA KEMP
Projects Coordinator
SHARNETTE KEMP
JONATHAN MACKEY
AVIS MUNROE
EDRICK MUNROE
Registrar, CTI
Chief Financial Officer
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Construction & Trades Associate
Farm Associate
REGINALD MUNROE Farm Associate
LAURA PAINE
MARK PALMER
YOLANDA PAWAR
OEFSEA Legal Consultant
OEFSEA Lead Consultant
Chief Communications Officer
JADE SANDS
PHILICIA SANDS
SHAKERA SANDS-HENFIELD
Farm & Agricultural Coordinator
Lead Farm Associate
Research Assistant
KEYRON SMITH
Chief Project Officer
EVELYN THOMPSON Housekeeping Associate
STEPHEN THOMPSON Wellness Consultant
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One Eleuthera Foundation of the U.S. c/o Lane Glaze P.O. Box 1302 Clemson, SC 29633 USA
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c/o Lane Glaze P.O. Box 1302 Clemson, SC 29633 USA