Meet The Team
Executive Committee

President
Mr. Leslie E. C. Stewart, P. E
Mr. Leslie Stewart is a licensed professional engineer in New York State and a site safety manager in New York City. He has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University in the USA. He is the Chief Operating Officer of Stewart Engineering Services, his privately owned company that designs and manages the construction of domestic and commercial buildings. Mr. Stewart is a philanthropist at heart, and serves as the Chairman of Charlestown Government Secondary School Alumni Association of New York (CAANY). He is the founding President of Guyana United Youth Development Association (GUYDA).

Vice-President
Mr. Victor Phill Osborne, LMHC
Mr. Victor Phill Osborne is a psychologist and holds a license in Mental Health Counseling. He has a Master of Science Degree in Psychology and has worked at the New York State Office of Mental Health for more than three decades. Mr. Osborne also worked at Rikers Island Correctional Facility in NYC as a mental health clinician. He is passionate about bringing healing to persons who have been through traumatic and stressful experiences. Mr. Osborne served as Public Relations Officer of GUYDA for the past two years and uses his skills and experience in psychology and mental health to bring awareness to the mission of GUYDA.

Secretary
Ms. Beryl James
Ms. Beryl James is a founding member of GUYDA and currently serves as secretary, a position she has held since the organization was established. She has a passion for ensuring young people develop their skills and talents so that they can be productive citizens. Her involvement with the development of young people began with her employment as a District Youth and Sports Officer in Guyana. She worked in the school system in the USA for over twenty years, including her employment as a Residential Counselor at the Boys’ Hope Girls’ Hope Boarding Program. Ms. James has a Certificate in Social Work as well as a Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Management. Her greatest desire is to ensure that she can contribute to the development of young people.

Secretary I
Ms. Catherine George
Ms. Catherine George served as a financial analyst and administrative assistant. She is certified in Computer Science and Human Resources. Ms. George uses her experience and skills to serve the youth of Guyana through GUYDA. She is also a Certified Minister and Chaplain and provides spiritual guidance to her community.

Secretary II
Ms. Veronica De Groot, B.S
Ms. Veronica De Groot is a graduate of Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and Finance. She retired after serving for thirty-seven years in various capacities at the Research Foundation of SUNY. Her last position held was Contracts and Grants Manager. She presently holds the position of Secretary II in Guyana United Youth Development Association (GUYDA), and is also a member of the Lions Club. She enjoys being of service to members of the Community.

Treasurer
Mrs. Bibi Thomas-Seraphin
Bibi Thomas-Seraphin brings 15 years of financial management experience with high-net-worth clients to her position as the Treasurer of GUYDA. She is also a budding real estate entrepreneur. Ms. Thomas-Seraphin is one of the founding members of The Young Professionals of GUYDA (YPG) whose goal is to connect with other young professionals to use their skills and knowledge to support the youth in Guyana, the Caribbean, and the USA. Ms. Thomas-Seraphin serves in other not-for-profit organizations and is passionate about supporting others to meet their needs. She lives in Queens, NY, and enjoys reading and running in her spare time.

Co-Treasurer
Mr. John Callender
Mr. John Callender is currently employed at the United States Treasury in the Wage and Income Division in the Accounts Management department. He is a graduate of Pace University Lubin School of Business, where he specialized in Management Information Systems. He worked for over two and a half decades in the Financial Control Division of Citigroup as a Financial Analyst. John also worked as a consultant for the New York City Finance Department and Deutsche Bank AG. John serves in other not-for-profit organizations and is the Assistant Treasurer for New York Tutorial Support Group (NYTSG) for the past fifteen years.

Organizing Secretary
Dr. Barbara Kendall
Dr. Barbara Kendall is an educator who has worked for the New York City Public School system for 28 years in the capacity of a teacher, teachers’ coach, assistant principal, and principal. Dr. Kendall holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degree and has used her educational training to work extensively to foster the instructional skills of teachers and improve student achievement. At the end of her tenure as a New York City school principal, Dr. Kendall continued her contribution to the educational sector in higher education, where she currently works as a professor at the City University of New York. Dr. Kendall is proud to be a member of GUYDA, where she holds the position of Organizing Secretary. She shares with GUYDA her wealth of knowledge and experience in organizational management, technology literacy, student mentoring, and educational coaching. She contributes positively to GUYDA’s mission by advising and working with the youth in Guyana by providing mentoring and other needed social and educational reforms.

Public Relations Officer
Mr. Carl Osborne
Mr. Carl Anthony Osborne serves as the technology lead for GUYDA. Mr. Osborne comes with over 20 years of experience as a clinical informaticist - optimizing, designing, and building computer systems for various healthcare organizations. His knowledge in mobile application development earned him a seat at the Young Professionals of GUYDA. Mr. Osborne aims to start new initiatives as the public relations officer to build on GUYDA's professional portfolio. Carl was recently the recipient of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology "Hacking Medicine" innovation award. Both with his background and skillsets, Mr. Osborne hopes to improve the lives of the youth in the Caribbean and the USA.

Committee Member
Ms. Rhonda Kansinally-Walker
Ms. Rhonda Walker is a multifaceted professional in the field of Social Work. She is a Manager of Evidenced Based Practice (EBP) at Hillside where she is in partnership with clinical teams to create an organizational strategy for implementation and sustainable learning around Evidence-Based Practices. After working in community-based programming for over 17 years, Ms. Walker has not only identified the need to address trauma and generational curses, but also the need to hold agencies accountable in their service delivery. From her leadership position, Ms. Walker can educate clinicians and have a broader reach to the community through GUYDA. Her work informs clinical practice and assesses the learning styles of clinicians to serve the community.

Chaplain
Rev. Dr. Sherry Hamilton
Dr. Sherry Hamilton is an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and at Touro College. She is also an ordained minister and certified Life Coach. Dr. Hamilton holds a Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership and has worked in a leadership capacity in the New York City Department of Education for 32 years as a teacher, District, Regional & Borough Administrator. Dr. Hamilton serves on the Board of God’s Battalion of Prayer Church and is a founding member and Chaplain of GUYDA. Dr. Hamilton uses her skills to provide grief support to families who have lost loved ones, as well as life coaching. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Consulting Services, Inc. which specializes in providing support services to students with disabilities and their families.