The Terra Nova Hotel provided the backdrop on Thursday, May 21, for the inaugural Brunch & Bloom, a women’s leadership gathering hosted by the Credit Unions of Jamaica to foster connection, wellness, and empowerment throughout the co-operative movement.

Women Leading Change A dynamic gathering of leaders, changemakers, and trailblazers came together for a memorable photo moment (from left) Gail Abrahams, strategic marketing & communication executive, author and transformational leader; Denise Garfield, general manager of Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions; Brithney Clarke, Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2025; Andrea Messam, president, Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League; Georgia Crawford Williams, consultant sociologist and entrepreneur; and Katrina Grant D’Aguilar, group manager, marketing & communications at the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League.

A Moment to Savour Toni-Ann Hudson, marketing officer at the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League, was captured basking in the moment.

Picture-Perfect President Poised and camera-ready, Andrea Messam, president of the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League, paused for a photo-op while enjoying the event’s vibrant atmosphere.

The event brought together more than 70 women from across the movement, including CEOs, board members, emerging leaders, and representatives from affiliated organisations.

Blooming Presence Chantel Bailey, owner and CEO of In Bloom Floral Studio, was among the stylish attendees who turned out to celebrate and connect.

The event was spearheaded by Andrea Messam, president of the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League and president of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions, who envisioned a space for women to connect, grow, and lead. In Bloom Floral Studio, under the leadership of owner and CEO Chantel Bailey, proudly came on board as title sponsor.

Think: Pink Neisha Tomlin, HR and facilities manager at Manchester Co-operative Credit Union, honoured the dress code in style, stepping out in a chic pink suit that perfectly complemented the occasion.

Leadership Lens The pair of Gail Abrahams (left), strategic marketing and communications executive and author, and Kerrene Grant Brown, general manager of Manchester Co-operative Credit Union, paused to take in the day’s festivities.

Guest speaker Georgia Crawford Williams delivered the Bloom Address on the topic ‘Bloom Where You Are Planted’. Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2025, Brithney Clarke, moderated a distinguished panel that included Messam, Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor, Lifestyle and Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte; author and Strategic Marketing & Communication Executive Gail Abrahams, and Community & Workers of Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union Limited CEO Joyce West Johnson.

Dynamic Duo Essential and Emergency Services & Partners Co-operative Credit Union’s Acting Operations Manager Jodi-Ann Deslandes-Davis (left), and Risk & Compliance Manager Melissa Ford shared the frame.

A donation was made to the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation from the proceeds of the event, supporting its work to empower young women and mothers across Jamaica.

Tickled Pink Rasida Pitter, branding and communications manager at TIP Friendly, embraced the event’s colour palette in a sharp scalloped-edge pinafore.

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