WiFi Sponsored By:
Wednesday – 17th September 2025
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Anastarcia Palacious also known as “Star” is the Oprah of Oration. As a result of her television show, keynotes, courses, and social media posts, audiences are informed, entertained, and encouraged to take actionable steps toward living boldly.
8:30am
Registration
9:00am
Welcome
9:05am
TOPIC
Financial Services Legislative Updates
PRESENTER
Senator the Honourable Ryan Pinder is the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas having been appointed on September 20, 2021 after the general elections were held in The Bahamas and the Progressive Liberal Party were voted in as the Government. Ryan Pinder was the Member of Parliament for the Elizabeth Constituency and the Minister of Financial Services and Trade in the former Progressive Liberal Party government. Before becoming the Attorney General, Ryan was a partner in a leading law firm in The Bahamas in its Commercial and Financial Services Practice Group.
9:30am
SESSION 1 - TOPIC
The Role of International Financial Centers Amid Global Uncertainty
The presenter discusses the macroeconomic and geopolitical trends that are shaping the financial services sector and how IFCs like The Bahamas can sustain growth despite geopolitical and economic pressures.
SPEAKER
Andrew Morriss is Professor in the Bush School of Government & Public Service and the School of Law at Texas A&M University. He received his AB from Princeton University, his JD and Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin, his PhD in economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his Master of Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. He also holds an Advanced Professional Certificate in International Taxation from IBFD and an Associate in Captive Insurance certification from ICCIE.
He previously served as Dean of the School of Law and the School of Innovation at Texas A&M and as Vice President for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. Before coming to Texas A&M, he held the D. Paul & Charlene A. Jones Chair in Law at the University of Alabama, the H. Ross & Helen Workman Professor of Law at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, and the Galen J. Roush Professor of Business Law and Regulation at Case Western Reserve University.
He is the author or coauthor of more than sixty book chapters and scholarly articles as well as the coauthor of Regulation by Litigation (Yale University Press, 2008) and the editor of Regulatory Competition and Offshore Finance (AEI Press, 2010). He served as Chair of the Cayman Financial Review from 2009 to 2017. He publishes regularly in IFC Review and is the
author of the chapter on offshore trust law in the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Comparative Trust Law.
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
10:20am
SESSION 2 - TOPIC
Strengthening The Bahamas’ Presence in Major Markets
The presenter will discuss strategic outreach and partnerships for expanding The Bahamas’ global influence in New York, London, Belgium and Asia.
SPEAKER
Katherine Anne Elza is a Partner at GrahamThompson specializing in high-end property acquisitions and sales as well as private client matters. With 14 years of experience guiding high-net-worth individuals, global investors and institutions through the complexities of Bahamian law, she has played an important role in positioning The Bahamas as a premier destination for real estate investment and financial planning. Currently serving as a Director of the Bahamas Financial Services Board, she has also promoted strategic initiatives that have strengthened The Bahamas’ presence in key markets across North America and Europe.
PANELIST
Dame DeAnne Julius is a senior adviser to Chatham House and a distinguished fellow in its Global Economy and Finance programme.
She also serves on the advisory boards of Rock Creek Global (Washington DC) and the International Business and Diplomatic Exchange (London).
PANELIST
11:10am
COFFEE BREAK
Sponsored By:
11:30am
SESSION 3 - TOPIC
The National Development Plan
Policymakers discuss the national plan for growth and how industry and government can work together to drive sustainable growth, addressing key regulatory efficiency and policy development challenges.
PANELIST
Dedicated to the holistic development of The Bahamas, Felix plays a pivotal role in shaping strategic, policy, budgetary, and fundraising initiatives across numerous governmental, non-governmental, civic, and charitable organizations. His leadership spans various sectors, reflecting his commitment to national progress and community empowerment.
Felix has prominent corporate responsibilities, including chairmanships at Doctors Hospital, BAF Financial, New Providence Ecology Park, and the Bahamas’ National Development Plan Steering Committee. He also sits on the boards of CIBC Bahamas Ltd., CIBC Trust Bahamas, and Cable Bahamas Ltd.
PANELIST
Samantha L. Rolle is a visionary leader dedicated to driving impactful change for small businesses and entrepreneurs across The Bahamas. As Executive Director of the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC), she combines strategic expertise with a passion for community empowerment, fostering innovation and economic
resilience.
With over 15 years of experience in strategic consulting, economic development, program management, Samantha has played a key role in shaping national policies and initiatives. She previously led External Relations at the SBDC and managed The Bahamas’ National Development Plan. She also represents The Bahamas on the Board of the Caribbean Export Development Agency and chairs the Inter-American MSME Authorities for the OAS, and serves on the Board of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC), further expanding her influence and advocacy across the region.
12:20pm
LUNCH
Sponsored By:
2:00pm
session 4 - TOPIC
Education as a Pillar for Global Competitiveness
This panel will explore how strategic investment in education, skills development, and industry training can cultivate a pipeline of highly skilled professionals to sustain and expand the financial services sector. It will examine how The Bahamas can leverage education as a competitive advantage and draw insights from global financial centers on effective talent development strategies.
PANELIST
In July 2024, Audrius Barzdukas became Lyford Cay International School’s (LCIS) twelfth Head of School.
In his first year, the school has undertaken ambitious initiatives including the construction of a Performing Arts building, establishment of a Faculty Academic Committee made up of Department Chairs, and the introduction of a school-wide technology-in-teaching initiative.
Prior to coming to LCIS, Audrius was Head of School at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, New York. During the seven years of his leadership, the school ascended to a
prominent position in the competitive New York City Independent School marketplace.
PANELIST
Janyne M. Hodder was President of the College of The Bahamas from 2006 to 2010, having previously served as Vice-Principal, Inter-Institutional Relations at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (2004–2006). She was the first woman to head a university in Quebec, Canada, when she was appointed Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, where she served from 1995 to 2004. Previously, she had held senior positions at the Quebec Ministry of Education. She began her career in The Bahamas, at Queen’s College, the Bahamas Teachers’ College and the College of The Bahamas and has permanent residency status in The Bahamas.
A leader in education, higher education, and in public administration with Bahamian Canadian, and broad international experience, she has effectively led institutions and worked with staff, students, community and volunteer groups, administrative boards, the private sector and governments with a focus on developing a shared vision, establishing performance goals, creating effective management teams and ensuring sound governance.
Since 2010, she worked as an independent consultant supporting organisational development, policy formulation, strategic planning and philanthropy for not-for-profit organisations and philanthropic foundations in The Bahamas and in Canada. She has served on numerous boards, primarily in the education and not-for-profit sectors, where she contributed to the development of sound governance policies and practices. From 2023 through 2025, Ms. Hodder served as Acting President of University of The Bahamas.
She is the recipient of a Doctor of Civil Law (honoris causa) 2007 from Bishop’s University, Canada, and was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2002 for service to the community.
PANELIST
Nicola Virgill-Rolle is an experienced executive with a background in public policy, financial services, national development, strategic planning and social policy.
She is the Executive Director of Lyford Cay Foundations – The Bahamas’ leading education philanthropic organization. She is also credited with leading the creation of the draft National Development Plan for The Bahamas, as well as efforts to integrate the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals into the NDP and creating the framework for the Government’s Over-the-Hill Revitalization project.
Dr. Rolle began her career at the Central Bank of The Bahamas, eventually becoming Deputy Manager (Policy) in the Bank Supervision Department. She has held positions at The Bahamas Embassy in Washington, D.C. and served as Director of Financial Services and Director of Economic Development and Planning in the Office of the Prime Minister. She has served as Director of the National Insurance Board.
Dr. Rolle holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Accounting from the College of The Bahamas (now UB), a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York; a Master of Science Degree in the Political Economy of Development from the University of London (SOAS), London, England, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Public Policy from George Mason University, School of Public Policy, Arlington, Virginia.
2:50pm
SESSION 5 - TOPIC
The Domestic Impact of Taxation on Global Growth
Industry experts discuss local tax reforms and their impact on the local economy. The Bahamas’ response and the importance of transparent tax policy for global growth.
PANELIST
James is a partner at EY Bermuda Ltd., EY Region of the Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands.
He is a seasoned financial services professional, tax strategist and experienced advisor, committed to compliance and structure.
James has over 25 years of experience in the financial services marketplace working with global asset managers, including hedge funds and private equity funds. James has also worked extensively with insurance-linked securities funds and captive and commercial insurers and re-insurers.
James advises clients about the implementation of Bermuda Corporate Income Tax (CIT), US tax reporting, cross-border tax transactions, group structuring, and inbound and outbound corporate and partnership tax issues. He also advises clients on the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and Common Reporting Standard reporting and economic substance matters in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands.
James has a BS in Accounting and a MBA in Tax from Colorado State University. He is a Colorado certified public accountant.
James is proud to give back to the community of Bermuda and use his professional skills for the benefit of the greater good. The time, knowledge and experience he contributes as a board member for a nonprofit organization helps fuel efforts to enhance the quality of life for people with complex support needs.
PANELIST
Kevin Moree is a Partner at McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes and specializes in civil and commercial litigation as well as tax law.
He co-chairs the firm’s practice groups for tax & trade and financial services & regulations and regularly advises clients from various jurisdictions on
Bahamian tax matters, leveraging his litigation expertise should the need arise for him to represent them in dispute resolution proceedings.
Kevin previously served as Chairman of the Bahamas Financial Services Board and was a Director from 2018-2022.
PANELIST
Castino assists with the leadership of the firm’s Banking and Finance, Corporate and Commercial, Investment Funds, Private Client Groups. Since joining the Banking and Finance Group at Lennox Paton in 2006, Castino has worked with leading practitioners from around the world on cutting-edge deals. He is consistently ranked as a ‘leading lawyer’ by The Legal 500 Caribbean and the IFLR1000.
He recently advised Frontera Energy Corporation in its issuance of unsecured notes in the amount of US$ 350 million at a coupon rate of 9.70% and maturity in 2023. The transaction involved Frontera Energy Corporation’s subsidiaries in The Bahamas. The Frontera Energy deal won the ‘Corporate Bond Deal of the Year’ at the Bonds & Loans Latin America Awards 2019.
He has advised a Bahamas-based investment fund that entered into a settlement agreement with the trustee appointed in the winding up of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC. As a part of the settlement agreement, the trustee agreed with the fund having an allowed claim in the Madoff liquidation of more than $1 billion. The allowed claim was assigned to a special purpose vehicle in exchange for shares in the capital of the special purpose vehicle (each share initially represented a notional amount of $1 of allowed claim). The allowed claim was securitized and sold at auction to distressed debt investors. This transaction was quite unique at the time, as it enabled investors in the fund to monetize their interest in the allowed claim.
Castino is currently acting for European based player in the oil & gas industry that is seeking to acquire oil &gas target assets in Malaysia, New Zealand and Mexico. The transaction is being structured as a share sale transaction and involves obtaining regulatory approval in a number of jurisdictions, most notably Malaysia. Castino is advising on the Bahamian law aspects of the proposed acquisition which involves a number of Bahamas domiciled target entries.
MODERATOR
Perry Rolle is the Managing Director of FirstCaribbean International Trust Company (Bahamas) Limited. Having worked in the financial services sector for over 30 years, Perry is a veteran professional with proven business experience. Perry graduated from Bangor University with a Chartered Banker MBA, from the University of Miami with an MBA in International Business and from the University of Windsor with a Bachelors of Commerce Degree in Business Administration (Finance). Perry holds the TEP designation from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Scotland and the Bahamas Institute of Bankers.
3:40pm
COFFEE BREAK
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4:00pm
SESSION 6 - TOPIC
Technology-Driven Regulation: A Catalyst for Global Competitiveness
This session explores how The Bahamas can leverage technology to modernize its regulatory framework, improve compliance, strengthen its global competitiveness. The speaker will discuss how tech-enabled regulation can drive compliance , innovation, and growth in the financial services sector.
SPEAKER
Philip Allen is the Head of Learning of The UK’s Personal Investment Management & Financial Advice Association (PIMFA), which represents wealth management and advice firms who look after £1.65 trillion in private savings and investments and employs over 63,000 people.
Having led learning teams at the Institute of Risk Management, The British Bankers Association and most recently at UK Finance where he developed learning academies on Vulnerability, Financial Crime and Conduct & Culture, Philip is considered a leading authority in L&D within financial services. At PIMFA, Philip’s responsibility is to design and deliver a suite of innovative learning solutions that not only support members to meet their regulatory obligations but help them develop the skills and talents their staff need to take advantage of digital transformation. A qualified trainer, Philip was awarded Fellowship of The Learning Performance Institute in 2018.
MODERATOR
Denora Marshall-McPhee is the Regional Director, Offshore Trust for Scotia Wealth Bahamas and has over 30 years of experience in Wealth Management, Risk Management and Compliance. Denora joined Scotiabank in 2018 and heads the Sales Distribution, Fiduciary and Investment teams which manage the estate planning, investments and fiduciary services needs of our international ultra-high net worth and high net worth clients based primarily in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Denora has worked in various sectors in the banking industry and wealth management including retail, private banking, trust administration and estate planning for various large international institutions.
Denora holds a LLB (Hon) degree from University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom (UK). Denora is a Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), and has attained the STEP Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes. Denora is also a Director of the Association of International Banks and Trust Companies (AIBT). She is a Fellow of the International Compliance Association (ICA) UK, and holds a Diploma in Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance from ICA. Denora has completed the Registered Stock Market Representative training / Series 7 and received Trust Administration and Compliance training in Guernsey and Jersey, Channel Islands and Zurich and Geneva, Switzerland
4:50pm
Closing Remarks
SPEAKER
Former partner in global law firms; former Chief Compliance Officer for Willis North America and Deputy Group Compliance Director for Willis Group Holdings; former Head of Bank Regulatory Compliance for Deutsche Bank Americas; former General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for US operations of HongkongBank; former Senior Attorney for Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; work closely with senior executive officers and boards of directors; work closely with compliance, audit and risk management functions.
5:00pm
20th Anniversary
Cocktail Reception
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SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Senator the Honourable Ryan Pinder is the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas having been appointed on September 20, 2021 after the general elections were held in The Bahamas and the Progressive Liberal Party were voted in as the Government. Ryan Pinder was the Member of Parliament for the Elizabeth Constituency and the Minister of Financial Services and Trade in the former Progressive Liberal Party government.
Mr. Rolle was appointed Governor of the Central Bank of The Bahamas in January 2016. Prior to this, he served as the Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance; and before this, he served on the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a Senior Advisor to the Executive Director for Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean Constituency.
Patrice G. Taylor is a senior HR leader, consultant and strategist, and an internationally certified leadership coach, trainer, and speaker. Patrice has tapped into her global assignment, which is to speak life to purpose, activate hidden potential and cultivate the principles of servant leadership, values-based leadership, and a growth mindset.