LAUDERDALE LAKES – Jamaican national and banking executive, Tanya Ragbeer, was re-elected as President of the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce at the 12th annual installation banquet last Friday, (March 3) at the Diamante Banquet Center in Tamarac.
Ragbeer was unanimously elected to serve a consecutive second term and is also the second woman, to head the eleven-year-old organization. Tanya Ragbeer succeeds Ms. Lisa Narcisse, a South Florida businesswoman and also a Jamaican national who served in that capacity during 2003. She has also served as the Chamber’s public relations director since joining the organization nearly four years ago.
A Vice President with BankUnited, Inc., Mrs. Ragbeer has been employed in the banking industry almost 17 years, in South Florida and in Atlanta, and has a background in finance, marketing and sales.
Outlining her goals for her second term, Mrs. Ragbeer mentioned that she intends to broaden the activities of organization to include other counties in the tri-county South Florida region. Last year, the organization accomplished a growing enrolment to now include nearly 150 members representing a team of Caribbean and American nationals.
In an effort to facilitate the diversification of the Chamber to include a broader representation of Caribbean nationals living in South Florida, Mrs. Ragbeer pointed out that the Chamber solicited the assistance of the CARICOM Consuls General to reach out to their respective communities.
Through this process, the Chamber has broadened its appeal to the wider community through regular networking activities as well as program participation in community and regional events. She spoke of the success of Caribbean nationals living in the USA, and urged the members of the Chamber to impart their wisdom and knowledge as successful entrepreneurs to unite and empower the Caribbean community to be a viable force.
Described as civic-minded, Mrs. Ragbeer is also appointed to the Broward County Small Business Advisory Board as well as the Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce.
A past student of Saint Andrews High School for Girls in Kingston, Mrs. Ragbeer is also a member of the Alumni Association chapter in South Florida.
