Council Members

Ashvin Murugesu

Ashvin Murugesu is deeply passionate about the rich heritage and natural beauty of the Cayman Islands. From a young age, Ashvin actively participated in Heritage Days, fostering a lifelong commitment to preserving the islands’ unique cultural legacy. Today, he continues this tradition by assisting his grandfather in the time-honored craft of rope making, a practice that connects him to the generations that shaped the islands. In his professional career, Ashvin has established himself in the financial services sector, where he has been an active member of various committees, contributing his expertise and leadership. His professional experiences complement his dedication to cultural and environmental preservation, offering a well-rounded perspective on stewardship and sustainability. An avid hiker, Ashvin regularly explores the diverse landscapes of the Cayman Islands as well as embarks on treks across the globe. His love for the environment, deep connection to his heritage, and professional acumen would make him privileged to be an inspiring leader of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, where he would have the opportunity to champion the protection of the islands’ cultural and natural treasures for future generations.

Alice Mae Coe

Alice Mae’s dedication to the National Trust for the Cayman Islands began when she became a life member during the Trust’s first meeting in West Bay, Grand Cayman. This meeting aimed to promote the creation of the NTCI under the National Trust for the Cayman Islands Law 1987 (Law 22 of 1987), now known as the National Trust Law (2010 Revision). The NTCI’s mandated purposes resonated with Alice Mae, who grew up in a family that respected and cherished nature’s beauty and bounty, particularly in the mangrove-protected haven of the North Sound. Her family’s frequent outings on the catboat to fish or explore the grounds along the rocks reinforced the significance of environmental conservation in her life. Moreover, her 45+ years of employment with a prominent local law firm instilled in her a deep regard for the importance of following laws for the good of society and its people. Throughout her tenure, Alice Mae was fortunate enough to witness the development of many laws that continue to influence Cayman’s local businesses and international financial industry, including the National Trust Law. Alice Mae’s interests span a wide range of community-focused activities, but what unites them is her unwavering commitment to standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. For her, doing what is right is more important than personal gain or self-interest.

Dan Peterson

Dan is a Senior Investment Advisor at CIBC First Caribbean International and began his involvement with the National Trust by helping to secure corporate donations from several institutions in Grand Cayman. In addition to his career in finance, Dan enjoys spending his time volunteering with a number of associations both on and off the island. He is the current chairman of CIBA’s Membership Committee and remains a committed supporter of education. He has been a part of the National Trust since 2018 beginning as a Co-Opted member, and most recently serving as Treasurer since 2021/22.

Emily DeCou

Em DeCou is a multi-generational Caymanian passionate about shining light on the importance of preserving our Beloved Isle’s special beauty. Upon leaving a decade-long career in the Financial Services Industry and Legal sector in 2022, she founded sustainability consultancy firm TRUE.M to guide individuals, businesses, and organizations in transitioning to zero-waste lifestyles and operations after becoming the first Caymanian to gain the Total Resource Use & Efficiency (TRUE) Advisor qualification from the United States Green Building Council. In the sustainability sphere, Em is a Sustainable Cayman Ambassador, a Leading Member of Amplify Cayman, a volunteer with Plastic Free Cayman, and a proud Council Member of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. Em served as a National Trust General Elected Council Member for 2023/24.

Fred Burton

Fred has lived and worked in the Cayman Islands since 1979. In 1990, he founded The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme as a National Trust volunteer. He has authored a number of books including Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands – the Red List as well as The Little Blue Book. Fred currently holds the post of Manager of the Terrestrial Unit at the Department of the Environment. He formerly worked as the Environmental Programmes Manager of the National Trust and was a key player in establishing the Cayman Islands’ terrestrial protected area systems and worked on wildlife conservation habitats. In 2007 Fred was awarded an MBE for his services in conservation of endangered species. Most recently he has served as an active member on the National Trust Council, Environmental Advisory Committee and the Blue Iguana Conservation Steering Committee.

Craig Caffarelli

Craig and his family moved to Grand Cayman from Chicago nearly four years ago. While living on island, Craig has been an active volunteer for the National Trust at Blue Iguana Conservation, considering its conservation work essential to maintaining the biodiversity of the Cayman Islands. He also supports several other local charities. Utilizing his business background and finance and accounting skills, he is a mentor to two small local businesses. In the US, he sits on the boards of a national literacy charity and an affordable housing charity in Chicago. In 1994, Craig helped create GEM Realty Capital (gemrc.com), a Chicago-based real estate investment firm specializing in private and public market opportunities, as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. He now serves as the Senior Advisor to GEM and believes his experience will benefit the Trust.

Mike Gibbs

Mike is the retired President of Kensington Management Group, Ltd, where he worked from the company’s inception in 1999 until the end of 2020. He has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He spent four years in Hong Kong and the rest of his career in Cayman. Mike has held various roles in accounting, audit, operations, systems, and management, including 12 years with Bank America and four years with Johnson & Higgins/Marsh Management Services. He is also a past Chairman of the Insurance Managers’ Association of Cayman and a Past President and active member of the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce.

Richard Harrison

Richard is a seasoned finance professional (ACA) arriving in Cayman nearly twenty years ago and has been a long term member of the National Trust. He understands the crucial importance of the National Trust to the Cayman Islands, and is keen to support the organization. With some soft influence from his Dad and ever growing need to set an example to his kids, most notably his daughter who loves birds and wants to become the next Cathy Childs! Richard feels now is a fitting time to run for Trust Council. He has enjoyed a very broad range of sector experience including renewable energy, financial services and most recently healthcare. He is a Cayman Islands Monetary Authority approved Director, a founding Director of the Cayman Islands Renewable Association and is on the Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants ESG committees. He has also consulted on TCFD (Task Force for Climate Related Financial Disclosures) and community involvement has included being a voted council member on the Chamber of Commerce. Outside of work he loves nothing more than outdoor, adventurous trips with his family as well other endorphin rousing activities such as tennis, ocean swimming and SUP.

Brigitte Kirkconnell-Shaughness

Brigitte graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Upon completion of her formal education and prior to returning home, she worked for a family-owned and operated Home Centre/ Building Materials store in Pennsylvania. Since 1992, Brigitte has worked for her family primarily as the Managing Director of Kirk Home Centre and is a member of the boards of directors for various other companies. Over the years she has had the privilege of serving on various private sector and statutory authority boards such as the Civil Aviation Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Staffing Plan Board, the National Security Council and the Judicial & Legal Services Commission. She is a former member of the Meals on Wheels board of directors and in the 1990’s she was a council member of the National Trust. Brigitte believes that our islands natural beauty and heritage must be protected while balanced with sensible development in order to improve the quality of life for Caymanians and residents. Her father, the late Capt. Charles Kirkconnell was one of the members of the Legislative Assembly who voted in favour of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands Bill in 1997 in order to protect Caymanian heritage.

Chris Luijten

As a Cayman Islands resident in 2020 working closely with key stakeholders in the media, government and various grassroots movements, Chris was able to bring about a movement that helped accelerate the implementation of new legislation to protect mangroves. Together with Martin Keeley I helped form the Mangrove Rangers which launched in 2020. Aside from mangrove conservation work, Chris is an Entrepreneur in the b2b SaaS technology vertical through various companies on which he serves as Investor and Board Member. He is the CEO of ITCA, a company that helps software companies with fighting against software piracy. He and his family are very passionate about the environment, and support a variety of causes such as the Virunga National Park in Congo, Skyscanner, and the Sea Shepherd. Chris has served as National Trust General Elected Council Member for 2022/23 as well as the Fundraising Committee .

Arthurlyn Pedley

Arthurlyn has had a long association with the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. From its formation, she volunteered for the Memory Bank Programme. She went on to work for the organization as ED then as HPM for five years. In those roles, she served on Trust Council. This past year, as a General Council member, she has been the Vice Chair of the Historic Advisory Committee. She is also a long-serving, active member of the West Bay District Committee. Arthurlyn is passionate to preserve our built heritage so that future generations will have tangible contact with their past through buildings and sites of historic significance. A retired educator, Arthurlyn enjoys the outdoors: walking, swimming, and pottering around her garden. Because of her love for Cayman’s history, she has taken up part-time work writing historic articles and posts for the Cayman Islands National Archive.

Diana Quin

Diana is a long time resident arriving in Cayman in1985 with her late husband Charles Quin (who previously served on the NT Council as Legal Advisor). She initially worked as a physiotherapist before becoming a full time mother to three sons. In 2004, she opened her own business selling handmade Oriental Rugs , in which she spent 17 years before retiring. She has previously volunteered with the PIN programme through St Georges Church and is a member of the Garden Club of Grand Cayman. She is very keen to work to help save the natural environment of Cayman, with an especial interest in local birds. When not chasing after grandchildren she loves to garden , grow vines, nurture Whistling Ducks on her natural pond and ‘dabble’ in watercolours.

Candy Whicker

Candy was born and educated in London and worked as an investment banker there until moving to Cayman in 1989 with her husband Simon. She worked for Barclays Private Bank in Cayman for 10 years and served as a director of various Cayman based investment funds, whilst raising their two children. Since leaving Barclays she has embarked on a second career in the world of documentary film. She has worked independently on a couple of film projects, including a short biography about the life and work of local artist David Bridgeman and on a feature length Cayman made documentary ‘The Great Disconnect’. Her most recent project was a feature length documentary about the Cayman charity Beacon Farms, which premiered in Cayman in February 2023.

Over the years she has volunteered for a number of organizations and charities including Riding for the disabled, Cayman Prep and High School, the Cayman Islands Sailing Club, the Pink Ladies and CPR. Candy is a keen gardener and champion of the natural world. She loves reading, sailing, traveling and planting trees wherever she can.

Hannah Reid-Ford

A multigenerational Caymanian, Hannah Reid Ford has a background in communications and environmental policy. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies and Journalism from Emory University and an MSc in Environment, Science & Society from University College London. Hannah serves as Communications Specialist with the Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency. In her spare time, she runs a blog and social media pages exploring the traditional environmental knowledge of the Cayman Islands. Hannah is a long-time volunteer with the National Trust and was previously an elected member to the National Trust Council, serving from 2019 to 2021.