CMEx Announces Additional 2025 Leadership Award Honorees
The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) has unveiled the distinguished honorees for its 2025 Leadership Awards, adding three new luminaries from Aruba, Martinique, and Puerto Rico to an “already impressive roster of visionaries whose work has elevated the Caribbean’s global profile and strengthened its communities.”
Among the newly recognized leaders are Carole Alexis, celebrated choreographer and artistic director from Martinique and Knight of the Order of the Arts and Letters; Ronella Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority; and Clarisa Jiménez, President and CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA).
The awards also honor a wide array of Caribbean leaders, including:
- Dave Chang, Senior VP of Consumer Sales and Contact Centers, Carnival Cruise Line
- May-Ling Chun, Director of Tourism, St. Maarten
- Laura Davidson, CEO & Founder, LDPR
- Muryad de Bruin, Managing Director, Curaçao Tourist Board
- Cathleen Decker, Co-founder, The Decker/Royal Agency
- Loreto Duffy-Mayers, Tourism & Sustainability expert, Barbados
- Monique Hamaty-Simmonds, Executive Director, Tortuga Rum Company Ltd., Cayman Islands
- Luce Hodge-Smith, Junior Minister of Tourism, British Virgin Islands
- Janelle Hopkin, President & Managing Director, Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada
- Vonulrick “Von” Martin, Broadcaster, Producer, and Dean, Caribbeana Communications Inc.
- Shomari Scott, Chief Business Officer, Health City Cayman Islands
- Marcus Simmonds, CEO, Tortuga International Holdings Ltd., Cayman Islands
“These exceptional honorees embody the spirit of leadership, innovation, and service that defines the best of the Caribbean,” said Bevan Springer, President of CMEx. “From tourism and business to culture and community development, their impact has been profound, and we are proud to recognize their contributions at this year’s awards.”
The CMEx Leadership Awards celebrate outstanding contributions across hospitality, cruise tourism, medical tourism, destination marketing, sustainable development, media, and public relations. The awards luncheon will gather tourism stakeholders, business leaders, media representatives, and community advocates for an afternoon of recognition, networking, and a shared commitment to a prosperous Caribbean future.
Event sponsors include Carnival Corporation & plc, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, and Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board. Proceeds will fund educational programs designed to empower Caribbean youth and tourism professionals.
At a glance:
- Event: CMEx Leadership Awards 2025
- Purpose: Recognize Caribbean leaders across tourism, culture, business, and community development
- New Honorees: Carole Alexis (Martinique), Ronella Croes (Aruba), Clarisa Jiménez (Puerto Rico)
- Other Honorees: 12 distinguished figures from across the Caribbean
- Sponsors: Carnival Corporation & plc, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board
- Impact: Awards support educational initiatives for Caribbean youth and tourism professionals
