Shunelle Nevers

Founder & CEO, SN Global; Caribbean regional advisor for human rights, gender and social safeguards at The Nature Conservancy

Style Observer (SO): Describe Shunelle in a few words.

Shunelle Nevers (SN): Woman of faith, mother, purpose-driven, empathetic, thoughtful, ambitious, and deeply committed to building a more inclusive world.

SO: Tell us a little about your professional journey.

SN: My career has been driven by a fascination with how people experience cities and development. I began in urban planning, studying urban studies and urban affairs, where I became interested not only in how places are designed, but in how they shape people’s everyday lives.

Over the past decade that curiosity has grown into a career spanning urban/social development, gender, human rights, and social safeguards. I’ve had the privilege of working with governments, international organisations, and development partners across Jamaica and the Caribbean helping to ensure that projects are not only technically successful but also people-centred, equitable, and responsive to the communities they serve.

Today, I serve as the Caribbean regional advisor for human rights, gender and social safeguards at The Nature Conservancy while also leading SN Global, my consulting firm focused on inclusive development. I’m also pursuing a PhD, continuing to explore the relationship between people, development, and the systems that shape everyday life. Whether I’m working on climate resilience, education, or infrastructure, the common thread is simple: I believe development should improve people’s lives, not just deliver projects.

SO: Which city has had the biggest influence on your aesthetic, and why?

SN: New York has probably had the biggest influence on my aesthetic. There is something about the city that encourages individuality. You can be polished, understated, bold, professional, or experimental, and somehow it all belongs.

Having lived there, I think I absorbed that balance between practicality and personal expression. My style is feminine and polished, but I still like an element that feels unexpected or distinctly mine.

SO: Is there a particular street anywhere in the world that perfectly marries fashion, culture, and architecture?

SN: Absolutely, I think Fifth Avenue in New York does that beautifully. It brings together iconic architecture, public life, cultural institutions, and fashion in a way that feels unmistakably urban. I also love streets where the identity of a city is not only reflected in the buildings, but in the people, movement, storefronts, and street life.

SO: What excites you most about Kingston’s evolving urban landscape?

SN: What excites me most is Kingston’s potential. We already have the culture, creativity and identity that make cities memorable. The opportunity now is to build a city that matches that spirit, one that is more walkable, more inclusive, more climate-resilient, more connected to its waterfront, and designed around the people who call it home.

SO: Where do you go when you need creative inspiration?

SN: Irish Town. There’s something incredibly soothing about the mountains. Combined with the peace and surrounding nature, they give me the space to slow down, think clearly, and reconnect with my creativity. It’s where many of my best ideas come to life.

SO: What’s one urban planning myth you’d love to debunk?

SN: That urban planning is simply about roads and buildings. In reality, urban planning is about designing opportunities and shaping how cities are governed. Every decision, from housing and transportation to public infrastructure, has the power to shape equity, safety, livelihoods, and quality of life. Every great city people love to visit, live in, or remember has been shaped by planning, whether intentionally or over time. Great cities are not measured only by how they look, but by how well they work for the people who live in them.

SO: What small change could dramatically improve city life?

SN: Better-maintained, continuous and accessible sidewalks. It sounds simple, but safe sidewalks improve mobility, public health, accessibility and independence, particularly for children, elderly, people with disabilities, and those who rely on public transportation. Having led Jamaica’s Safe Passage: Safe Routes to School initiative, in several communities, I’ve seen first-hand how something as simple as safe, walkable streets can transform daily life. Sometimes the most transformative urban interventions are not the most glamorous.

SO: What’s one overlooked local destination everyone should experience?

SN: Holywell National Park. It’s the kind of place that reminds you there’s so much beauty beyond the usual tourist spots.

SO: Which city do you think gets urbanism right?

SN: Copenhagen is often recognised for getting many aspects of urbanism right, particularly walkability, cycling infrastructure, public space, and designing around everyday quality of life. What I appreciate most is the philosophy behind it — the city is designed at human scale.

SO: One city everyone should visit — and one that’s underrated?

SN: Everyone should experience New York City at least once because it teaches you so much about energy, diversity, ambition, and urban life. An underrated city for me is Montréal. When I visited, I genuinely felt as though I had stepped into Europe. The architecture, the cafés, the fashion, the walkability and the blend of old and new gave the city such a distinctive character. It feels cultured and stylish.

SO: Have you ever planned a trip around architecture or fashion?

SN: Not intentionally, but architecture often shapes the way I travel. I naturally notice buildings, neighbourhoods, street design, and how people experience cities. I’m actually looking forward to visiting Scotland, where I hope to immerse myself in its historic architecture, walkable cities, and rich urban heritage.

SO: Favourite fashion capital: Paris, Milan, London, New York or Tokyo?

SN: London, although New York is a close second. I love how London blends heritage with creativity. Its fashion feels timeless, yet constantly evolving.

SO: One designer you’ll always wear?

SN: Gucci. It was the first designer piece I bought for myself years ago to celebrate a personal milestone, so I’ll always have a soft spot for the brand.

SO: One celebrity whose wardrobe you’d steal?

SN: Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson in Suits. Her wardrobe is everything I love…. tailored, structured and timeless. She’s powerful, sophisticated and incredibly feminine. In fact, I have her style saved on my
Pinterest boards for inspiration.

SO: Signature fragrance?

SN: I’m drawn to clean, sophisticated fragrances with woody and aromatic notes, and I also love scents that feel elegant and refined. YSL Libre and Maison Francis Kurkdjian 724 Eau de parfum are two of my favourites.

SO: What’s always in your make-up bag?

SN: Lip gloss, concealer and brow gel. Full, defined brows are non-negotiable for me.

SO: The best outfit always starts with…

SN: Confidence and a clear sense of how you want to feel. The clothes matter, but the best outfits work because the person wearing them feels like themselves.

SO: Luxury is…

SN: Peace. It’s having the freedom, time and capacity to live without constantly feeling rushed, burdened or unsettled. Of course, luxury can include beautiful things and quality experiences, but, for me, true luxury is ease, choice and the ability to live intentionally while protecting my peace.

SO: Confidence is…

SN: Believing God’s word concerning who I am and having the courage to step fully into the woman He has called me to be.

SO: Finally, what’s your personal credo?

SN: To live with purpose, walk in obedience, and use every opportunity I am given to leave people, places and systems better than I found them.

For urbanism, it’s Copenhagen. Denmark’s capital earns Never’s vote for its human-scale design philosophy, where pedestrians, cyclists and public life take precedence over cars.

Rare Alexander 2oz Appleton 12 Year Old Blend Rare Casks 1oz coffee liqueur 0.5oz simple syrup 1oz heavy cream 1 cinnamon stick (garnish) (Photo: Gavin Jones)

Nevers’ fave fashion capital? London! Wiht New Yorkcoming in a close second.