Meet the Team Members
The Board
Ms. Joane Murphy
Board Chair
Dr. Michael Francois
Immediate past Chair
A Crucian with strong ties to the Caribbean Region and with a unique Global prospective,
Dr. Anastasie Jackson
Board Vice- Chair
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Senator Genevieve Whitaker
Committee chair Scholarships
Genevieve was born and raised on the beautiful island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Dr. Suzanne Magras
Board Secretary
Creative, resourceful, results-oriented educator, specializing in program management and development
Ms. Jenny Hawkes
Board Treasurer
A New Mexico transplant, Ms. Hawkes is the Executive Director for my Brother's Workshop.
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Dr. Michael Francois
Immediate past Chair
Dr. Michael T. François educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, a Master of Arts in Educational Technology, and a Ph.D. in Information Technology with a concentration in Security. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a certified RFID Professional. François is an assistant professor of computer science at the University of the Virgin Islands on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, located on the island of St. Croix. Before teaching at the university, he taught for four years at the Honeywell International Automation College in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. François has served as the Territory's assistant director for Career Technical Education and Adult Education. He also served as the group leader for the Advanced Automation Group at the St. Croix oil refinery, where he worked for nineteen years. He presently serves as the chair for the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board. He is also a member of the Virgin Islands State Apprenticeship Council, the Virgin Islands Department of Education Community Advisory Council, and several other committees at the University of the Virgin Islands. Dr. François is also a veteran who served a total of nine years in the armed forces. He is dedicated to promoting cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and stem. Dr. François participates in several youth programs to encourage cybersecurity and stem education in the Virgin Islands. He is a mentor for the UVI programming club Attack on Tech (AOT), which he organized. Dr. François is also a volunteer member for Gentlemen of STEAM and Cyber Patriot clubs on St. Croix.
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Senator Genevieve Whitaker
Committee chair Scholarships
Genevieve's overall desire is to have a direct, positive impact on the way the international community views the Caribbean and to ensure that the U.S. Virgin Islands assumes an essential role in the development of a new global perception of the region. The Senator is an internationally recognized speaker on political rights, the Secretary of the Vi Legislature and founder of The Whitaker Consultant Group, LLC (WCG)!
Dr. Suzanne Magras
Board Secretary
Creative, resourceful, results-oriented educator, specializing in program management and development, online education, and career and technical education. Expertise in training design, facilitation, education research, leadership development and performance management.
Ms. Jenny Hawkes
Board Treasurer
Jenny Hawkes, who moved to St Thomas in 2012, started with MBW in 2014 as their Executive Director. MBW is a local non-profit focusing on vocational training and job placement for youth in the territory. Before moving to the beautiful USVI, Ms Hawkes owned a real estate and property management company in New Mexico as well as serving on the local school board and city council. Her passion has always been working with young people and helping them shape their path. Ms Hawkes also is a local artist and enjoys capturing the iconic images in the Caribbean in her art.
