Leaders from business, law, media, public health, and national governance gathered on December 4 at Fanatic Kitchen Studio, Maraval, to celebrate a major milestone in the career of communications strategist Lisa-Ann Joseph, honouring her 18 years as a consultant and 33 years shaping reputation and crisis management across the Caribbean.
Throughout the evening, speakers lauded a professional whose influence, steadiness, and integrity have transformed organisations and guided leaders through some of their toughest moments.
Camille Chatoor, general manager of Coca-Cola Caribbean Bottlers Trinidad and Tobago, reflected on two decades of collaboration, praising Joseph’s unmatched clarity and expertise.
“If there’s anyone you need to call to handle anything regarding reputation management and how you are presented in an organisation, it is Lisa,” Chatoor said. “Her professionalism, reliability, and strategic guidance have been consistently proven.”
Ian Chinapoo, CEO of the Guardian Group, highlighted Joseph’s role as a trusted advisor to leaders navigating high-pressure environments.
“You made the impossible seem possible,” Chinapoo said. “That is why I consider you one of my teachers.”
Independent Senator Courtney Mc Nish, who worked with Joseph at TCL in the early 2000s, noted her early commitment to crisis communication when the practice was still emerging in the region.
“She took the risk because she believed in her product and her service,” Mc Nish said. “Organisations sought her out because they recognised the value she brought.”
Veteran journalist Tony Fraser reflected on Joseph’s mastery of narrative control, recalling a recent interview that showcased her assuredness.
“She spoke with a confidence that could not be contradicted,” Fraser said. “Lisa has assisted countless people in this profession and continues to do so with distinction.”
Public health consultant Hetty Sarjeant, who recruited Joseph for her first communications role at the Family Planning Association, cited five qualities that shaped her rise: humility, determination, risk-taking, adaptability, and loyalty.
“If Lisa tells you she will do something, she does it,” Sarjeant said. “Her loyalty is one of her greatest strengths.”
The evening also held personal significance for Joseph with the presence of her mother and sister, Jessica and Triceyea Joseph.
In her remarks, Joseph thanked her supporters while offering a candid look at the emotional weight of crisis work.
“This is a lived experience only a few can do,” she said.
“I have been in boardrooms where decisions would change hundreds of lives. You carry that home. You wake up at 3 am replaying every scenario. But my approach remains the same: people first, organisations second.”
She also emphasised the importance of recognising Caribbean expertise on the global stage.
“International firms continue to hire me to represent them in the Caribbean,” she said. “We have the expertise right here. The question is whether we recognise it.”
Joseph closed with a reflection. “Reputation is the only thing that endures,” she said. “Not your bank account, not your title. What people remember is how you treated them. I remain committed to helping organisations move from chaos to clarity.”
