RBC Launches Award-Winning Young Leaders Program in the Cayman Islands

RBC Royal Bank officially launched the award-winning RBC Young Leaders program in the Cayman Islands during a launch event held recently.

The event was held at the Indigo Hotel, Grand Cayman, with Her Excellency, the Governor, Jane Owen and several government officials in attendance, along with Chris Duggan, Senior Vice President and Head, RBC Caribbean Banking and Khadene Lobban, Area Vice President, Personal & Private Banking and Country Head, RBC Cayman Islands.

“The Young Leaders program is RBC’s flagship youth development program, that demonstrates the Bank’s commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders for a stronger Caribbean,” explained Chris Duggan. He went on to say, “This program is part of RBC’s vision to invest in our youth to give them the tools to help them realize their potential and I am extremely proud to be part of the inaugural launch of this program in my home country, the Cayman Islands.”

Introduced in Trinidad & Tobago more than 40 years ago, this initiative began as an essay writing competition aimed at increasing awareness about saving. The program has evolved over the years and is now an educational service-learning program designed to empower students to become change makers in their communities.

RBC’s Young Leaders program offers students the opportunity to acquire skills to manage projects, deliver presentations, develop financial literacy and enhance their environmental awareness.

Exploring the theme “Sustainable Future,” students from six schools throughout Cayman have been challenged to create an executable project that promotes environmental and/or social benefits that align with the theme.

“I am confident that the students, armed with the training and direction received at today’s launch coupled with the ongoing support from RBC chaperones, will be well-positioned to re-imagine sustainable solutions,” said Khadene Lobban. “Students are encouraged to be innovative, collaborative and bold while they develop practical skills for themselves, for the benefit of their school and the greater community,” she added.

To inspire participation and innovation, RBC will award the winning school KY$15,000 to support the implementation of their proposed project within their school or community. The second and third place finishers will be awarded KY$10,000 and KY$5,000 respectively.

The Young Leaders initiative will run concurrently in Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.

Participating in this year’s program are Clifton Hunter High School, Cayman International School, St Ignatius Catholic School, Cayman Prep & High School, Triple C School, and John Gray High School.

The closing ceremony is slated for May, at which time the top three schools will be awarded the prizes for engagement and project completion.