Mario E. Ebanks: Pioneer who shaped the HR landscape

An individual who is accredited with helping to shape the human resources industry in the Cayman Islands has recently been given the honour of the ‘Pioneer Award for Established HR Professional of the Year’ at the annual Cayman Islands Society for Human Resource Professionals (CISHRP) awards for HR Excellence Gala, at the Marriott Resort.

The well-deserved recipient, Mario Ebanks, is known to many within the business community as a leader within the HR industry, both in the public and private sectors.

He received his award at the annual gathering pf HR professionals which awards people in the profession via a variety of categories, celebrating the resilience, adaptability, and innovative contributions of HR professionals in the Cayman Islands. His award is particularly special, celebrating a role model who consistently supports the development of HR Professionals and contributes to the development of the HR industry in the Cayman Islands.

Upon accepting the award, Mr Ebanks spoke about his interest in the profession of HR from an early age in life, and his interest in doing tasks that attended to the welfare and advancement of workers. He also recognised the CISHRP President and other stakeholders for hosting this event. He also reflected on the dedication and vision of other founding members of the Society, namely Lois Kellyman, Samantha SJ Bennett, and the late David Bodden, and others, in 1999, who recognised the need for an organisation to be an advocate for the industry and to promote the development and advancement of Caymanians in this important career and avenue of service.

He also saluted the many young Caymanian rising stars in the industry, and also thanked the various corporate citizens and stakeholders, including the public sector leadership Acting Governor Franz Manderson, Acting Deputy Governor Gloria Nixon, and Chief Officer Wes Howell for attending and supporting the gala and being an integral part of this exciting journey.

CISHRP Director and Past President Mr. Phil Jackson said he was one of the individuals who was  pleased to nominate Mario Ebanks for the Pioneer Award.

“Over his 40+ year career, Mario has held various roles both in the public and private sector,” he said.  “He was one of the founding members of the CISHRP.  He served for eight years as a board Director and is also a Past President having served as the second President of the Society.

Mr Jackson said through Mr Ebanks’ vision, he established the first educational scholarship - the David Bodden Scholarship- the CISHRP awarded to Gianna Bodden which enabled her to achieve her Masters in HRM from the UK.

“Mario was also a fond supporter of UCCI and its Masters in HR programme.   The CISHRP would award their top student with the Mario E. Ebanks award for Excellence in HR at the annual UCCI graduation ceremonies,” he added.

Mr Ebanks has mentored, coached, and had a positive influence on many Caymanians over his career including Mr Jackson, who is now the Senior VP and Chief Human Resource Officer at Cayman National Bank.

While Mr Ebanks was the President of the CISHRP, he was instrumental in providing members with the opportunity to earn the Global Remuneration Professional certification, without having to leave the island.  Lecturers came to the Island and taught six classes and a total of five CISHRP member earned the GRP certification, long before online learning was available.

His influence runs deep into being an advocate for establishing the National Pensions Law and Regulations in 1996/97, as well as assisting with reforms to  the Labour Law (1984).  While he worked with the government, in the Ministry of Community Development (which was then responsible for the subject of Labour), Mr Ebanks was delegated responsibility for assisting in research and drafting the laws and policies, including the first-ever Draft Manpower Development Plan. This Plan was presented to the then Executive Council by the Minister for Community Development, but it did not advance due to changes in the Ministry’s leadership shortly thereafter.

When Mr. Ebanks completed his work in the Ministry of Community Development in the late 1990s he recognised from working on various pieces of legislation, such as Pensions and Labour, that there was a shortage of HR practitioners or professionals in the private sector. This was the impetus to form the CISHRP, to create a body or a fraternity to promote best practices in HR in the workplace, to develop HR leaders and the profession, and to have a sounding board for policy development as well as to advocate for initiatives such as workplace tranquility and human capital development.

During his diverse career Mr. Ebanks has served on various committees and government Boards including the Education Council and its Scholarship Committee, the Board of Governors for UCCI, and the Immigration Business Staffing Plan Board where he served as Deputy Chairman from 2005 to 2009.   He has been a Trustee for the Chamber Pension Plan, and was the first Caymanian appointed to Manager (now CEO) of the Chamber of Commerce from 1988 to 1991.

Overall, Mr Ebanks has helped shape the landscape of HR in the Cayman Islands, Mr Jackson stated.

 “While he has had a diverse range of exposure to various sectors, and achieved many academic degrees and certifications, he nevertheless remains humble, always willing to share advice and his opinions.  His heart is at the development of the next generation and his love for the Cayman Islands,” Mr Jackson concluded.

Mario Ebanks has blazed many trails since he entered the Cayman workforce after graduating from the Cayman Islands High School in 1980. He was a BankAmerica scholar in 1983, and a Deloitte scholar in 2001/2, for his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. He has held senior positions in public and private sectors management roles as well as senior HR roles. These include: being the first Caymanian Director of Labour & Pensions from 2012-2015, the Chief Human Resources Officer at the C.I. Airports Authority from 2015-2021, and now he serves as the Director of Human Resources for Doctors Hospital and Integra Healthcare. He continues to blaze trails in whatever field or endeavour he is in, and is as committed as ever to tranquil and productive workplace relations, human capital development of Caymanians, and effective succession planning for future generations of leaders