IWD 2026: Deidre Cousins – Leading with integrity, innovating with heart

IN Information Technology (IT), success is typically measured in system uptime and the speed of digital transformation. However, for Deidre Cousins, chief information officer at GraceKennedy Ltd, the most vital infrastructure she oversees isn’t found in a server room; it is built through the strength of character and human connection.

Overseeing IT for the entire GraceKennedy Group is a monumental task. With operations spanning multiple time zones, industries, and countries, Cousins’s day-to-day is a masterclass in agility. From reviewing security updates and AI strategy to ensuring GK’s infrastructure remains fit for purpose globally, her role requires a constant balance between solving today’s glitches and envisioning the next three years of innovation.

Yet she is quick to shift the focus from the hardware to the human element. “It’s less about the technology and more about alignment,” she explains. For her, leadership is an act of stewardship, an opportunity to serve and uplift, leaving environments better than she found them. This perspective has evolved significantly from her early days in IT, where her focus was on technical execution and proving her competence. Today, her success is measured not by projects completed, but by “leaders developed and culture strengthened”.

While her corporate responsibilities are vast, Cousins’s heart is increasingly focused on narrowing the gap for women in the ICT sector. This mission is personal. Having navigated a career path where she was often the only woman in the room, she now uses her platform to ensure she isn’t the last.

Her commitment to supporting women is non-negotiable, rooted in the belief that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. In 2025, she was a featured speaker for “Girls in Tech”, an event hosted by Fujitsu Caribbean. The experience was a profound eye-opener, highlighting the urgent need for visibility and practical guidance for young women entering underrepresented spaces.

“I feel especially called to support young women interested in ICT,” she shares. “They need visibility, encouragement, and someone willing to say, ‘You belong in this room’.”

Her mentorship goes beyond casual advice; she helps young professionals and university students think beyond their current roles, building the competence and confidence necessary to position themselves for executive leadership.

Cousins’s drive to uplift others is fuelled by her deep Christian faith and her role as a director of the GraceKennedy Foundation. She lives by the scriptural reminder that “faith without works is dead”, viewing philanthropy as a tangible expression of her many blessings. For her, giving back isn’t an “extra” at the end of a busy week; it is an essential part of her identity.

She recognises that her current seat at the table was made possible because others opened doors and shared knowledge. Now, she is the one holding the door open. In this season of her life, empowerment has taken on a more selfless meaning. She draws inspiration from the biblical posture of John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

“True empowerment is not about holding a position,” Cousins asserts. “It is about preparing, elevating, and trusting the next generation to go further. It is less about being the only voice in the room and more about ensuring the room is filled with capable, courageous voices long after I have stepped aside.”