Strong leaders are the foundation of strong movements.

Recognising the critical role local leadership plays in expanding opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics launched the first-ever Caribbean Leadership Academy, bringing together 18 leaders from six Caribbean islands for an immersive leadership development experience focused on building stronger, more sustainable Special Olympics programmes.

Held in Saint Kitts and Nevis, the academy provided leaders with the skills, resources, and support needed to address challenges, strengthen operations, and create new opportunities for athletes and communities across the region.

The Caribbean Leadership Academy was created in response to a growing need among Special Olympics programmes for meaningful leadership development and collaboration. Many programmes across the Caribbean are led by passionate volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to creating opportunities for athletes. The academy gave these leaders a space to strengthen their skills while learning from one another.

For Special Olympics Caribbean Executive Director Lorna Bell, the academy represented a long-awaited opportunity to provide leaders with meaningful, in-person development.

“If I had my way, it would have been done long ago,” Bell said. “Our programme leaders have been asking for this one-to-one, face-to-face training.”

Throughout the academy, participants engaged in training focused on Unified Leadership, board governance, fund-raising, compliance, strategic planning, and sports marketing. Each leader left with a roadmap and action plan designed to strengthen their programmes and create measurable progress over the coming year.

“The Caribbean programmes had many new leaders coming on board,” said Svetlana Fenichel, senior director of leadership and organisational development. “We needed a way to motivate and educate them to position them for success, while also re-energising leaders who have been with the movement for some time.”

Beyond skill-building, the academy created an environment in which leaders could openly share challenges, identify solutions, and build a regional network of support.

“Everyone in that room had the opportunity to express how they were feeling,” Bell said. “Because it was a small group, we were hearing the truth.”

A central focus of the academy was advancing athlete leadership and ensuring athletes are recognised as leaders who contribute to the direction and growth of the movement. Athlete Leader David Duncan of Special Olympics Jamaica co-facilitated a session on athlete and Unified leadership, reinforcing the importance of athletes having meaningful roles in decision-making.

“We are not just serving our athletes anymore,” Bell said. “We are seeing them as true leaders, decision-makers, and valuable contributors to the movement.”

The academy also strengthened connections between Special Olympics leaders and community stakeholders. Government representatives from Saint Kitts and Nevis participated in the event, demonstrating the importance of collaboration between Special Olympics programmes and the communities they serve.

For participants, the impact of the academy extends beyond the training itself. The goal is to translate learning into action and create lasting change within each programme.

“Success for me will be seeing those plans come to life,” Fenichel said. “Every programme made a commitment to action.”

Supported by Lions Clubs International as the primary sponsor, along with BoardSource, Blanchard, and FIBA, the Caribbean Leadership Academy represents an investment in the people who make inclusion possible every day.

By strengthening leaders, empowering athletes, and connecting programmes across the region, Special Olympics is building a stronger foundation for continued growth and greater opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities throughout the Caribbean.