My conversations with Caribbean women founders leaders and experts have been fuel for my BIG and simple life, where big ambition and wellness converge. In this episode, I recap some of those conversations that relate to leadership, pay equity and economic power for Caribbean women.

Key moments:

00:00 Embracing a Big and Simple Life

01:28 Women’s Economic Impact in the Caribbean

02:29 The Power of Everyday Leadership: Why you should never underestimate your role, regardless of your official job title. - Kim Butcher, Cultural Strategist & Founder of Okoye by Kim

04:24 A Vision for Total Development: Reframing women’s empowerment as a mission for an entire productive population - Anuskha Varsha Sonai, President Creative Tech Hub Caribbean

07:54 Valuing Invisible Labour: The urgent case for better compensation packages for women in the development sector - Karen Philip, Founder, Kainos Caribbean Consulting

11:33 Breaking the "Sticky Floor" and getting to the top - Racquel Moses, CEO, Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator and Global Ambassador for Race to Zero and Race to Resilience

15:10 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

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Loved the clips in this episode? Catch the full episodes with each of these incredible Caribbean women leaders.

VEX Money to Caribbean Legacy: Kim C. Butcher, Okoye by Kim Founder | Island Woman Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/44kvgtwdxGS3CxaYGSu0HZ?si=kcpbHjFCRkKY7CbYTBb75w

Anuskha Varsha Sonai: Women, Alliances, Talent, Tech for Caribbean Growth | Island Woman Podcast

​​https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ItZSxRvVQtaySStQgGwPo?si=_0txU2MUTIqvkiV5ATflfg

Doing Good Better: How Women Lead Caribbean Social Impact with Karen Philip | Island Woman Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/52oBapcOeL4NJtYG8vxG40?si=v3wKuYZdSPSlNu9vlL5UNA

Why Not You? Racquel Moses on Getting off the Sticky Floor in Leadership | Island Woman Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4BDXp8MNH99lgZc7a6QiFb?si=Ln4cKNP2RkeN1Bic6Mio8g

As women, we hear a lot about "breaking the glass ceiling" – that constant pushing up against external boundaries to leadership. But what about when we, for whatever reasons, refuse to explore the edge of those boundaries? How do we elevate ourselves to top leadership and finally move beyond the "sticky floor" of junior and middle management?

In this episode, I chat with the powerhouse that is Racquel Moses. As a global ambassador for the UN-backed Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns and CEO of the Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator, Racquel is a visionary redefining economic empowerment in the Caribbean. But beyond the global accolades, we talk about the grit, heart and desire it takes to lead. From the "survival kit" woman CEOs needs to the tough but necessary decisions that prioritise family over a paycheck, this conversation is a masterclass in Caribbean women and leadership.

We explore how to grow your ambition, build a village that sustains you, and why "ridiculous" ideas are often the ones most worth pursuing. If you are ready to stop shrinking and start scaling, this episode is your invitation to grow bigger.

In this episode, we explore:

• The CEO Survival Kit: Why practical habits and hydration are the foundations of Caribbean resilience and lifestyle.

• Breaking the "Sticky Floor": Moving beyond the glass ceiling to address the internal and systemic traps that hold women back.

• Leading for the Future: How sustainable living in the Caribbean isn't just an ideal—it’s a multi-billion dollar investment opportunity.

• The Power of the Village: Navigating the intersection of high-level career demands and the deep roots of Caribbean culture and community.

Episode Timestamps

• 00:00 – Meet Racquel Moses: Global Ambassador and Climate Catalyst.

• 02:11 – The CEO Survival Kit: 3 essentials for the Caribbean woman leader.

• 05:30 – Getting to the Top: Why gender equity makes business sense

• 08:32 – The Sticky Floor vs. The Glass Ceiling: How to reclaim your ambition.

• 12:15 – Hard Decisions: Prioritising family, education, and the "village."

• 18:53 – Funding the Future: Connecting philanthropy to Caribbean innovation for climate adaptation.

• 24:09 – The Scale of Wellbeing: Rhythms, sleep hygiene, and the 12/10 ambition.

  29:31 – "Why Not You?" – Final advice for the aspiring Caribbean leader.

Is it possible to be fiercely ambitious without sacrificing your soul? In this episode, I sit down with Kimalene Regis, founder of Kimalene Regis & Co (KRC), a marketing and project management powerhouse based in Grenada.

We explore the reality of Caribbean women and leadership, moving beyond the highlight reels to discuss the "heavy" seasons of entrepreneurship and why "wanting more" is actually a radical act of self-care.

Kimalene shares her journey from a high-impact corporate role to building a remote-first agency that serves the regional financial sector - all while navigating the complexities of motherhood and personal fulfilment. From her "Rose-Colored Glasses" planner to her survival kit for the Caribbean entrepreneur, this conversation is a masterclass in Caribbean resilience and lifestyle.

Join us as we discuss how to build a business that honours your well-being, the power of economic empowerment in the Caribbean, and why you should never shrink to make others comfortable.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Kimalene Regis and Her Journey

06:35 Creating a Survival Kit for Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs

12:20 Catalyst for Entrepreneurship: Kimalene’s Journey

17:44 The Importance of In-Person Events for Women

23:22 Balancing Ambition and Well-Being

29:04 Final Advice for Women Entrepreneurs

33:31 Podcast outro.mp4

Connect with Kimalene:

Website: kimaleneregisconsulting.com

LinkedIn: Kimalene Regis

Connect with Dianne:

Website: diannensquires.com

LinkedIn: Dianne Squires N Squires