A council led by talented young professionals with diverse backgrounds, skills, and expertise championing climate resilience and sustainability in Jamaica. Empowering youth and talented individuals to participate in environmental protection and resilience initiative in their own spaces.
Youth Council Executive
President
Steven Palmer
Steven is a Civil Engineer, Educator and climate action enthusiast. Having championed climate action and resilience in the past, Steven continues to promote sustainable practices, green technologies, youth participation in climate action and Net Zero Waste initiatives. Steven also has a keen interest in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Vice President, Outreach & Advocacy
Dahvia Hylton
Dahvia is an educator and a staunch advocate for environmental protection and women’s and children’s rights. She believes in employing an intersectional approach to these issues to ensure that justice and equity can be achieved for everyone, including those on the margins of society.
Vice President, Membership & Initiatives
Kevin Pinnock
Kevin is a youth leader and community advocate with experience in managing organisations and spearheading initiatives across Jamaica. He has served in leadership roles within national and regional youth councils, and is an Ambassador in the Governor General’s I Believe Initiative. Kevin is deeply committed to youth empowerment, sustainable development and building inclusive opportunities for young people, with a professional goal of advancing as a project manager to deliver impactful solutions.
Vice President, Research & Policy
Zaria Chen Shui
Zaria’s research focuses on building climate resilient societal systems for Jamaica’s response to the climate crisis. She is interested in climate adaptation, societal continuity, and technology-supported disaster recovery. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering with First Class Honours from UWI Mona in 2024. She enjoys stilt-walking, yoga and journaling.
Research Officer: Science, Research & Advocacy (SRA)
Tisheika Thompson
Tisheika is an educator and geographer with a commitment to environmental protection and disaster risk management. She has held leadership roles in sustainability focused societies and earned a Bachelors of Science in Geography (First Class Honors) at the UWI. Skilled in data collection, research and GIS, she is particularly interested in applying geospatial technologies to improve disaster response and climate resilience. She believes in empowering communities through participatory planning approaches, ensuring that Jamaicans are actively involved in climate change decision making that builds resilience.
Research Officer: Climate Justice, Equity & Inclusion
Ashlie Robinson
Ashlie Robinson is a governance and legal strategist passionate about climate resilience and sustainable development. She brings experience from the extractive industry, where she worked on agreements that strengthened environmental protections and community benefits. Her interests include climate justice, youth-focused research, and building equitable, climate-smart solutions for vulnerable communities.
Special Initiatives Coordinator
Rodrina Daley
Rodrina Daley is an architectural designer and advocate for sustainable design and urban planning for climate resilience in the Caribbean. She is a fellow with Local Pathways, Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth (SDSN) under the UN, dedicated to Goal 11 for the SDGs— creating sustainable cities and communities. She is an award winning visual artist, and a Peggy Antrobus Awardee, advocating at the intersection of climate, youth and gender justice.
Communications Lead
Tashwa James
Tashwa is an aspiring CARICOM regionalist, proud black cat mom and communications specialist. Having spent her earlier career in climate change and human rights communications the native Antiguan and Barbudan’s approach to advocacy is strategic and humanising story telling. True to her regionalism, Tashwa is deeply committed to equipping island people with the language and resources to name and communicate the oppression and label the injustices we face. Through her advocacy Tashwa seeks to facilitate islanders in platforming their stores, imbuing on the sensibilities of the global citizenry that climate change is not merely hot days and unpredictable weather, its island lives and livelihoods.
Assistant Communications Lead
Siddonia Reid
Siddonia Reid is a communications professional passionate about storytelling, brand strategy, and youth advocacy. She is excited to bring her creativity and voice to the JCCYC as Assistant Communications Lead.
Secretariat
Administrative Manager & Youth Council Secretary
Kadisha Mitchell
Kadisha’s personal experiences, the severity of the climate crisis, and her hope for the future have all inspired her to work in the climate movement. She aspires to become a Research Scientist and Environmental Lawyer/Policy Analyst, integrating research, legal expertise, and scientific insights to develop innovative solutions to global environmental challenges.
Board of Directors
Director, Operations & Resource Management
Eleanor Terrelonge
Eleanor is a proud Jamaican scientist and researcher with a deep passion for driving national development and advancing science and innovation in Jamaica. As an environmental advocate, she has extensive experience in providing strategic and administrative leadership across various domains, including project coordination, financial management, research and policy development, marketing and communications, grant writing, event planning, human resource management, and stakeholder engagement. Her work focuses on designing and implementing initiatives aimed at environmental protection, education, and advocacy. Eleanor has contributed significantly to areas such as water management, community engagement, public awareness campaigns, and the promotion of renewable energy solutions. Through her work, she continues to champion sustainability.
Director, Research, Policy & Advocacy
Emme Christie, Ph.D.
Emme holds a PhD in Environmental Studies from SUNY-ESF and an MPhil in Environmental Geochemistry from UWI Mona. As a critical environmental sociologist and activist, Emme specializes in systems-based approaches to climate and environmental policy, leadership, and process improvement through frames of equity and justice. With extensive experience in interdisciplinary research, Emme has worked across areas such as hydrology, geology, land use, public policy, water and air quality, public health, education, and climate change. Emme has also contributed analytical inputs to numerous Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) for projects across Jamaica.
Director, Communications & Branding
Moya Fagan
Moya is a healthcare professional with over 10 years of experience in Radiography and a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability. Her commitment to climate education is driven by a deep understanding of the intersection between environmental health and public well-being. With a creative eye and a passion for communication, Moya leads the council’s public relations and branding strategies. amplifying climate action messages, engaging diverse audiences, and building meaningful connections that drive awareness and change.
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