Ashley Gooden and Danielle Seales have been named the newest female CARICOM youth ambassadors for 2025-2027.
The Ministry of Youth announced the appointments in a press release on 29 Aug.
Gooden, the new female ambassador, and Seales, the alternate female ambassador, have now joined the national CARICOM youth ambassador cohort, which includes their male counterparts, D’Vonte Joseph, male ambassador, and Diarra Hoyte, alternative male ambassador, who were both appointed and installed in January.
As CARICOM youth ambassadors, they will be tasked with project and advocacy work for a two-year term, educating their peers on local and regional youth priorities established by the CARICOM Secretariat and the Ministry of Youth. Cayman’s ambassadors will be engaged at local and international dialogues, events and in other civic spaces.
Gooden, 23, is a newly minted primary school teacher, holding a master’s degree with honours in educational leadership from the University College London. She is a former Proud of Them honouree and is passionate about youth mentorship and inclusion. During her undergraduate studies, she served as a diversity and inclusion officer. Gooden aims to inspire Caymanian youth to pursue dynamic opportunities for growth.
She said she is proud to help bring new voices to the table that will impact youth policies.
“I look forward to addressing concerns around education, mental health, third spaces and more. Our young people are resilient and vocal. They should have every opportunity to be part of the solution,” Gooden said.
Seales, 24, is also a former Proud of Them honouree. Currently an intern with the Department of Environment, she researches climate policy, sea turtle nesting and other concerns affecting the islands’ ecosystems. She holds a master’s degree in marine environmental management from the University of Exeter and has long been involved in youth leadership and environmental advocacy.
Seales said youth-led projects and perspectives need to be prioritised.
“Being a youth ambassador with Sustainable Cayman and having represented Cayman at COP28 has shown me that youth have solutions, but they need a seat at the table, locally and internationally,” Seales said.
Minister for Youth Isaac Rankine said, “The Cayman Islands is proud to see these new ambassadors preparing to make a positive impact in the youth development landscape.
“Ms. Gooden is a passionate advocate for education and inclusion, while Ms. Seales is a strong voice in environmental spaces. I am confident that their term will lead to valuable insights while ensuring that youth voices are heard in shaping Cayman’s future.”
‘Relentless advocacy’
Former representative Vanessa Burke told the Compass the role of CARICOM youth ambassador it is crucial.
For Cayman, she said it ensures that our unique perspectives as a small island nation are heard, valued and acted upon in regional and international spaces.
“For the region, the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors programme is a cornerstone for integration, giving young leaders the opportunity to shape policy, influence change, and carry forward the Caribbean’s shared vision for development,” she said.
“It’s more than a title; it’s a responsibility to champion the voices of our independent member states while advancing collective action as one team.”
During her term as a CARICOM youth ambassador, Burke assumed the role of dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador programme, becoming the first Caymanian to hold the role, marking a historic moment for the Cayman Islands. Burke held the role for one year as part of a rotational process that allows member and associate CARICOM states may act in this leadership capacity.
Her role focused on fostering community connections, advocating for Cayman’s youth, and advancing the youth voice at local and regional dialogues.
Burke said the experience was one of growth and service.
“I have had the privilege of representing Cayman’s voice on a regional stage, while also guiding a team of exceptional young leaders across the Caribbean. It has been challenging at times, but the kind of challenge that stretches you, sharpens you, and pushes you to rise to the responsibility of representing not only your own people, but an entire generation of Caribbean youth,” she said.
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