About Leona
My Story
Born and raised in the district of Sucker Garden to parents with family roots from Middle Region and French Saint Martin, I began my educational foundation at the Methodist Agogic Centre and the St. Maarten Academy. At the tender age of fourteen I left the island to pursue an education at the Oak Hill Academy where I later graduate early with Honors.
Following graduation, I was certain that I wanted to make a positive change for my country. To obtain the means to do such, I pursued a degree in Political Science at the Adelphi University in New York and graduated with a minor in French. At the time, I felt that my knowledge was not yet up to par and decided to move to the Netherlands where I successfully acquired a Masters Degree in International Relations at the University of Amsterdam.
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During my time in the Netherlands, Sint Maarten was always held close to me. I became a mentor and later regional coordinator for students coming from the Netherlands Antilles at the Stichting Studiecommissie Nederlandse Antillen (SSNA). As a regional coordinator, I assisted not only in mentoring but also as the liaison between Sint Maarten's Education Department and SSNA. I was the first point of contact between parent and student whilst providing guidance, coaching and always surpassing the norm to ensure that our students were knowledegable to handle daily and academic life in the Netherlands. My home became a second home for many students from Sint Maarten while living in the Netherland which was my greatest joy; being able to be the surrogate parent of those students. Today, I am proud to see many of them become productive adults within their field of study.
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Upon gaining a strong educational foundation, I followed my heart and returned home to serve my country in 2004 where I began to sow seeds of change to the best of my ability for a better, stronger and united Sint Maarten.
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In 2004 I became the first female Head of the Civil Registry Department where through the cooperation of the staff we took the department that was once known for fraudulent activities to a department of competency, trust, professionalism and solution-oriented. Thus a standard was risen for the department where checks, balances and stricter measures were placed that resulted in the regained trust of the Netherlands. During my tenure, I fought for the evolvement of the staff by having them take courses relevant to their job. As a result, many were able to be promoted to higher positions. Together, we strengthened the department to make ensure better working relationship and open line of communication with other islands and the Netherlands. With the development of this relationship, staff members were able to perform internships on other islands and the Netherlands which exposed them to various work opportunities and methods that may or may not be beneficial to Sint Maarten. Customer Service training was another important factor that I took heavy focus on in order to be better serve the public.
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In 2010 I entered the political arena by contesting in the first election as Country Sint Maarten. I participated in once again in 2014 where I was elected into Parliament. This is a responsibility and job that I hold in high esteem with integrity and honor.
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As a Member of Parliament, I used this level of influence not for my own but have channeled it back to the people of Sint Maarten to enrich and empower their lives to the best of my ability. Within my heart, I have always been a philanthropist. There is nothing more that brings me joy than being able to give back to the community and enrich the minds of the younger generation. I am an avid believer in the phrase “to whom much is given, much is expected” and therefore embed this as a principle in the foundation of all that I do.
The “Give Back to the Community “initiative is an inspirational program that allows entrepreneurs and those in pursuit of education to bring their dreams into fruition. I started this program because I felt the need to give our younger population a chance at realizing their dreams. Unfortunately many do not have the proper guidance, network, monetary means or support which is was the spark that lit the inspiration to turn this reoccurring situation around.
In Parliament, I have further championed the need for separate voting registries; a small claims court, neo-natal screening, consumer protection and the creation of a Separate civil status registry. I have debated issues that are close to my heart such as the safety and security of Sint Maarten, its uniformed men and women, a sustainable pension system and the need of implementing e-governance for the efficient functioning of government.
