Akeisha Benjamin – Humanitarian Leader | Mental Health Advocate | Community Development Specialist

With over 20 years of transformative experience in the Caribbean development sector, I bring strategic vision and grassroots compassion to every project. As Director of the Montserrat Red Cross and former Programme Officer at the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society, I've directly impacted over 500,000 lives through health promotion, disaster response, and psychosocial support initiatives.

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development

• Expert guidance in non-profit governance, strategic planning, and operational excellence
• Proven track record managing teams, volunteers, and grant portfolios exceeding $85,000 USD
• Specialized in aligning humanitarian programs with international standards and community needs

Mental Health & Psychosocial Support

• Certified Trainer of Trainers in Psychological First Aid (IFRC)
• Master facilitator in psychosocial support interventions for both emergency and development contexts
• Technical expertise in designing and implementing mental health programs for vulnerable populations

Program Design & Implementation

• Comprehensive experience in health promotion, HIV and AIDS programming, and youth development
• Skilled in community vulnerability assessments, monitoring & evaluation, and evidence-based programming
• Successful resource mobilization with proven grant writing capabilities

Training & Capacity Building

• Delivered 100+ training sessions across diverse topics including disaster response, mental health first aid, and community health
• Wilderness and Remote First Aid Instructor
• Adult learning specialist with master training certifications

My Approach:

I believe in meeting communities where they are—balancing strategic planning with authentic engagement. Whether I'm developing organizational strategy, training volunteers, or designing psychosocial interventions, I prioritize sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and measurable impact.

Services Available:

• Organizational strategic planning and capacity building
• Mental health and psychosocial support program design
• Training facilitation (Psychological First Aid, disaster response, health promotion)
• Grant writing and resource mobilization
• Community needs assessments and program evaluation
• Consultancy in humanitarian operations and non-profit management

Credentials:

• BSc Psychology (Minor in Criminology) – University of the West Indies
• 30+ professional certifications including Global Health, Project Management, Leadership & Management, and Emergency Response
• Active member of technical working groups and professional networks across the Caribbean