Jamaican Heads Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce

Jamaican national and banking executive, Tanya Ragbeer, was returned as President of the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce at the 12th annual installation banquet held recently in Fort Lauderdale.
Mrs. Ragbeer, who was unanimously elected to serve a consecutive second term, is the second woman to head the 11-year-old organization. Lisa Narcisse, a South Florida businesswoman and also a Jamaican national, served as president in 2003.
A Vice President with BankUnited Incorporated in South Florida, Mrs. Ragbeer has 17 years experience in the banking industry in South Florida and Atlanta, and has a background in finance, marketing and sales.
Outlining the goals for her second term, Mrs. Ragbeer said that she would work to broaden the activities of the organization to include other areas of the tri-county region.
Last year, the organization accomplished a growing enrolment to now comprise nearly 150 Caribbean and American nationals.
In the effort to broaden the representation of Caribbean nationals in the chamber, the assistance of CARICOM Consuls General was solicited to reach out to their respective communities. There were regular networking activities as well as a programme of participation in community and regional events.
Mrs. Ragbeer urged the members of the chamber to use their knowledge as successful entrepreneurs to unite and empower the Caribbean community to be a viable force.
Described as civic-minded, Mrs. Ragbeer is also a member of the Broward County Small Business Advisory Board as well as the Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce.
A past student of Saint Andrew High School for Girls in Kingston, Mrs. Ragbeer is also a member of the Alumni Association chapter in South Florida.