First Citizens Foundation

Mr Shankar Bidaisee is an attorney-at-law of eighteen (18) years’ admission to the Bar in Trinidad and Tobago and is based in Port of Spain, Trinidad. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, an LLB Bachelor of Laws from the University of London, Master of Laws in Corporate & Commercial Law (UWI).

Throughout his career, Mr Bidaisee has demonstrated a deep commitment to legal practice, profession and corporate leadership. He began his professional journey as a Secondary School teacher before transitioning to the legal profession in which he now specialises in commercial and insurance litigation and real property litigation over the past eighteen (18) years. His legal expertise also extends to public service, having, inter alia, served as Counsel to the Commission of Enquiry into the conduct of several financial institutions including CLICO, Clico Investment Bank, Hindu Credit Union and others.

In addition to his legal career, Mr Bidaisee has played key roles in State Boards and other Statutory Bodies. He served as a Director at Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad & Tobago Limited (UDeCOTT), where he managed key national projects. He also served as a Member of Council of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago for approximately sixteen (16) years where he also held executive positions and as a Member of the Mediation Board of Trinidad and Tobago under the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr Bidaisee’s leadership is also evident as he now serves as Chairman of both UDeCOTT and First Citizens Holdings Limited. He is a member of the Council of the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago and was instrumental in the creation and development of the Financial Intelligence Unit’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Financing of Terrorism framework for the Legal Profession. Mr Bidaisee’s key focus is compliance and he is committed to upholding the law and promoting good corporate governance in the banking and other sectors.

Dr Sterling K Frost is an accomplished banking and governance leader with more than four decades of international experience spanning North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. His career reflects a strong combination of strategic vision, operational excellence and board level governance expertise in highly regulated, multijurisdictional environments.

As Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Operations and Administration of First Citizens, he oversaw mission critical functions including legal, compliance and governance, technology, human capital, brand and marketing, operations and shared services, and strategic planning. He concluded this executive role upon attaining the normal retirement age in December 2023 marking the close of a distinguished chapter in executive leadership.

Alongside his executive career, Dr Frost has built and continues to maintain an extensive governance portfolio across banking, energy, manufacturing, education, philanthropy and the public sector. He has held directorships on the boards of leading banking institutions such as Citibank (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited, Banco Citibank Honduras, Cititarjetas de Nicaragua, Banco Citibank Panama, First Citizens Bank (Barbados) Limited, First Citizens Trustee Services Limited (Trinidad), First Citizens Investment Services Limited (Trinidad) and First Citizens Investment Services (Barbados) Limited. He also strengthens his governance expertise through service on several board committees of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada, including the Audit and Risk Committee, the Examination Assessment Review Panel and the Governance and Admissions Committee. Across these roles, he has contributed to strategic direction, governance compliance, financial oversight, risk management and regional integration.

His governance contributions further include directorships in the energy and utilities sector with St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited and in manufacturing and beverages with Angostura Holdings Limited, Angostura Limited and Trinidad Distillers. In the public sector, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Public Service Commission and continues to serve as Deputy Chairman of the Statutory Authorities Service Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as having served as an Assessor at the Industrial Court. He has also chaired philanthropic organisations such as the Angostura Foundation and First Citizens Foundation and currently chairs the Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Life (FEEL) NGO. In higher education, he has contributed extensively to The University of the West Indies (UWI) having served as a Director of the UWI Mona School of Business and Management. He currently serves as Professor of Practice in Management Studies and chairs the UWI Development and Endowment Fund Board, the UWI Global Institute for Climate-Smart and Resilient Development Advisory Board, the UWI Faculty of Social Sciences Advisory Board and the UWI Institute for Gender and Development Studies Advisory Board. In the diplomatic sphere, he serves as Honorary Consul of Costa Rica to Trinidad and Tobago, advancing bilateral cooperation and representing national interests.

In academia, alongside his corporate career Dr Frost has for the past 23 years served as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at The University of the West Indies where he continues to teach across undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education programmes. Over this period, he has designed and delivered a suite of more than 25 management courses and seminars. His scholarly work includes the landmark publication Calibrating Organizational Culture: A Dialectical Model Towards Competitive Advantage, which synthesises decades of global leadership into a framework for aligning culture, knowledge sharing and performance.

He holds both a Master’s and a Doctorate in Business Administration from The University of the West Indies and maintains professional designations as an Accredited Director and Chartered Secretary from the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada. Additionally, he is a University of California, Berkeley certified Executive Coach and a Prosci certified Change Practitioner.

Recognised for his ability to bridge governance, strategy and execution, he has received the nation’s highest honour, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT) in the spheres of Banking, Education and Community Service, as well as the Institute of Banking and Finance of Trinidad and Tobago’s Distinguished Fellowship Award for advancing the theory and practice of Banking and Finance.

Crystelle Smith is a seasoned human resources and talent strategy leader with over two decades of experience in banking, finance, and professional services across the Caribbean. She has consistently demonstrated the ability to align people strategies with business objectives, driving organisational resilience, strengthening governance, and cultivating robust talent pipelines.

Crystelle began her career in frontline banking operations before transitioning into human resources, where she led regional initiatives in benefits administration, workforce planning, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions. She later advanced within the global professional services sector, partnering with senior leadership to design and implement innovative learning and development strategies that enhanced employee capabilities and organisational performance.

In addition to her professional expertise, Crystelle has a long-standing personal commitment to education. For more than 15 years, she has tutored Spanish to students and professionals of all ages, fostering both language proficiency and cultural confidence. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she brings agility in navigating multicultural environments and building meaningful connections across diverse groups.

Crystelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a Minor in Human Resource Management from The University of the West Indies and has pursued advanced studies in project management and marketing through Heriot-Watt University’s MBA programme. She is also certified in Lean Six Sigma, public speaking, and facilitation excellence.

Recognised as a collaborative leader and trusted advisor, Crystelle has worked closely with C-suite executives, regulators, and international professional bodies to shape workforce strategies that align with organisational goals. As a member of the Board of Directors, she contributes expertise in HR strategy, governance, and talent development, supporting the bank’s sustained growth, resilience, and long-term stakeholder value.

Mr Javan Lewis is a distinguished leader and the visionary founder of Jlew Signature Events Limited, a standout company within the event and project management sector. With over 15 years of extensive experience, Javan has been pivotal in pioneering innovative approaches to project planning and execution, consistently extending the boundaries of creativity and technological integration.

He earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Anglia Ruskin University. Under his guidance since 2007, and officially trademarked in 2014, Jlew Signature Events Limited embarked on a transformative journey to redefine how projects are conceptualised and delivered.

Jlew Signature Events Limited has seen significant growth, managing over 150 high-profile projects annually across local, regional, and international landscapes. Javan’s strategic vision has not only broadened the company’s client base but has also fortified its standing as an industry leader renowned for excellence in project management, with a keen focus on celebrating Caribbean culture and traditions.

A hallmark of Javan’s leadership is his unwavering commitment to innovation. He emphasises that each project should narrate a compelling story and create enduring memories by leveraging state-of-the-art technology. His foresight in trend dynamics positions the company at the vanguard of the industry, collaborating with elite vendors and creative professionals to ensure exemplary service.

In his role as Managing Director, Javan cultivates a culture of collaboration and empowerment within his team. He champions the idea that valuable insights can originate from any level within the organisation and promotes an environment of open communication and continuous learning. This ethos has resulted in a vibrant, diverse team that thrives on creativity and passion.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Javan actively engages in philanthropic efforts, supporting local communities through the funding of charitable projects. His commitment to excellence in project management and his innovative spirit continue to propel Jlew Signature Events Limited to new heights, inspiring peers and setting a benchmark in the management industry.