Odessa Forbes Appointed Director of Culture

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 10^th July 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Odessa Forbes as the Director of Culture within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.

Mrs. Forbes holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the American Intercontinental University, FL, a certificate in Business from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and a certificate in Project Management through the University of the West Indies.

Bringing over 20 years of diverse leadership experience to her new role, Mrs. Forbes most recently served as Training Manager for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, where she led organisation-wide professional development and compliance training for over 400 officers and recruits. Her extensive experience also includes culture development through the leading initiatives that promote local heritage and community engagement, ensuring that cultural values are integrated into organisational practices and community programs within the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

Before assuming the Training Manager position, Mrs. Forbes served in the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for over a decade, rising through the ranks to become a Police Sergeant. Earlier in her career, she also gained valuable experience in the hospitality sector, working as a restaurant manager, where she developed strong operational, people management and customer engagement skills.

Speaking on her new role, Mrs Forbes said, “I am deeply honoured and excited to serve as the Director of Culture. This role offers a powerful opportunity to preserve, celebrate and share the rich cultural identity of the Turks and Caicos Islands, both at home and with the world. As our society continues to grow and diversify, it is more important than ever that our national values, traditions and stories remain visible, accessible and deeply rooted in our collective identity. I look forward to working with communities across the islands to ensure our culture continues to inspire pride, unity and innovation for future generations. I remain grateful for the encouragement of my family and mentors and I embrace this role with humility, vision and purpose.

In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H.E. Anya Williams said, “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Mrs. Odessa Forbes on her appointment as our new Director of Culture.

The promotion and preservation of culture is extremely important to our islands, as it not only honours our rich heritage but also shapes the identity and values of our future generations.

We wish Mrs. Forbes well on her appointment as she works to chart a new path in advancing cultural development, fostering creative expression and in ensuring that the diverse traditions of our people continue to thrive and inspire.

Congratulations on your new appointment, Mrs. Forbes!”