Mr Kenneth Baker was appointed the second Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Commission in February 2021. As the Managing Director/CEO, he is responsible for the administration and operation of the Financial Services Commission. His responsibilities include regulating the BVI’s financial industry; the development of new service and product offerings aimed at developing and enhancing the attractiveness of the BVI as a situs for legitimate cross border financial services; and liaising with Government and private sector stakeholders in pursuance of this objective. Mr Baker’s track record spans 37 years in the banking and financial services sector. He joined the Financial Services Department in June 2000 as the Inspector of Banks and Trust Companies after a private-sector career in banking. He was appointed Deputy Managing Director, Regulation in April 2005 and jointly held the position Director, Banking, Insolvency and Fiduciary Services Division.
Elise Donovan is the Chief Executive Officer of BVI Finance and has played a major role in expanding and deepening BVI’s financial services footprint in cities around the world, specifically in the Asia Pacific region, through strategic relationship building, and conducting forums and seminars on the BVI’s financial services business. She previously served as Director and Asia Pacific Representative at BVI House Asia, EU/UK Representative and Director of the BVI London Office, and at BVI International Affairs Secretariat, the BVI Financial Services Commission, and the International Finance Centre (now BVI Finance), and a member in the BVI’s Tax Information Exchange Agreement Negotiating Team She has authored numerous articles on the role of the BVI as a leading international finance centre.
Tashel Martin-Jackson is the Deputy Director, Compliance Inspection at the Financial Services Commission. She has over a decade of experience in regulatory roles within the financial services industry, specialising in compliance and anti-money laundering. Before taking up the position of Deputy Director, Mrs Martin-Jackson played crucial roles as a member of the Commission’s Compliance Inspection Unit. Her experience includes leading assessments of various regulated entities to ensure compliance with the AML Code of Practice and Regulatory Code and spearheading numerous projects to enhance the Unit's efficiency and effectiveness in line with strategic objectives, demonstrating her deep understanding of financial services legislation. Mrs Martin-Jackson’s experience extends beyond the public sector, having gained unique insights as a private sector compliance practitioner and former Money Laundering Reporting Officer. Her background includes the establishment of an Institutional Risk Framework, revamping risk assessment methodologies, and continuous monitoring of the regulatory landscape to update policies and procedures.
Kozel K. Creese is a seasoned legal and compliance professional with extensive expertise in anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CFT), and financial crime prevention. Currently serving as National Coordinator to Bermuda’s Office of National Money Laundering Committee, Kozel leads initiatives to strengthen the jurisdiction’s AML.ATF/CPF regime.
She holds an LL.M from American University Washington College of Law, a Legal Education Certificate from Hugh Wooding Law School, and an LL.B. from the University of the West Indies. Kozel is admitted to the Bar in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia. Her career spans senior roles at the Attorney General’s Chambers in Saint Lucia, where she advised government ministries and served as the Deputy -Chair of the National Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee and the Financial Intelligence Unit in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where she was charged with the responsibility for prosecuting money laundering matters and contributing to the legislative drafting and FATF compliance. Kozel is a Certified Financial Crime Specialist, and experience speaker on AML/CFT topics and has participated in numerous international workshops and evaluations, including serving as a CFATF Legal Assessor.
Mrs. Lesia Grazette is a highly accomplished compliance professional with over 17 years of experience within the British Virgin Islands (BVI) financial services industry. A dedicated member of the BVI Association of Compliance Officers (BVI ACO) since 2012, she has served as Secretary of the Executive Committee since her election in 2019 and will continue in this role until October 2026. Her extensive knowledge of the regulatory environment, coupled with her commitment to professional excellence, has enabled her to make significant contributions to the Association's mission and the broader compliance community.
Mrs. Grazette holds an ICA International Certificate in Compliance, a Diploma in International Trust Management, a Diploma in Anti-Money Laundering, and a Chartered Director Certification, among other compliance-related qualifications. She is an active member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), and an ICA Affiliate Member. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Mrs. Grazette serves as a Commissioner for Oaths and has been appointed to the Company Law Review Advisory Committee (CLRAC), first in 2023 and subsequently reappointed in 2026.
Ms. Kisha Frett is the Virgin Islands Sanctions Coordinator and head of the Virgin Islands Sanctions Unit at the Attorney General’s Chambers. Her work sits at the intersection of sanctions implementation and the Territory's wider AML/CPF/CFT framework, with responsibilities spanning licensing, enforcement, compliance oversight, policy and legislative development, interagency coordination, cross-border cooperation, and stakeholder engagement relative to domestic and international sanctions regimes. With over 15 years of experience as a practising Attorney at Law, Ms. Frett is called to the Bar of England and Wales as well as the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, in the Territory of the Virgin Islands. Her extensive background spans both the private and public sectors, where she has tackled a diverse array of legal matters and also fulfills roles in non-legal capacities. In her current role, she focuses on strengthening the Virgin Islands' compliance with domestic, regional and international sanctions obligations and the effective understanding, implementation and enforcement of sanctions in the Territory.
An experienced Business Executive with over sixteen years’ experience, in Anti-Money Laundering, Project Management, Education and Human Resource Management. Mrs. Jervis currently works with Sterling Compliance as an AML Specialist & Compliance Officer and previously worked with the Attorney General’s Chambers in Saint Lucia as the National AML Coordinator and an AML Consultant. She served as a delegate to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force Plenary in 2018, has been a Country Representative for the Judicial Systems Improvements for Commerce Records Management Project in Toronto, Canada and a Presenter for the Economy Justice Project in Ottawa, Canada. The holder of an MBA from the University of the West Indies, she also has a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) designation. She’s a proud member of the NIC Toastmasters Club.
Ten years ago, we began with staff training, and it evolved into meaningful training, accessible to employees and professionals at every level and business. Today, as we celebrate Sterling’s 10th Anniversary AML Conference, and we honour the people who have helped to Make this a lasting contribution.
To every speaker who has contributed over the years, thank you for giving your time, expertise and for lending your voice to this important undertaking. To our regulators, thank you for your continued engagement and support. And to our participants and the organisations that invest in their development, thank you for trusting Sterling to be part of your learning journey. You have given this Conference its purpose and its staying power.
To my exceptional team at Sterling, this milestone belongs to you, too. I know the care, long hours and determination behind what we have achieved. Thank you for sharing my commitment and for bringing so much of yourselves to this work.
Let’s make the next 10 matter even more!