Dr. June Soomer

Strategic Advisor

With over 40 years of exemplary service in banking, diplomacy, finance, and education, Her Excellency Honourable Dr. June Soomer is a trailblazing leader in the Caribbean region and beyond.

Dr. Soomer attained a landmark milestone as the first female to earn a PhD in History from The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill, Barbados. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts from the same institution. Her groundbreaking achievements include being the first woman to serve as Saint Lucia’s Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary to the OECS and CARICOM, with a focus on Diaspora Affairs (2008-2016). She broke new ground again as the first female Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) from 2016 to 2020. As an OECS Commissioner, she was instrumental in shaping regional policies and fostering Caribbean unity.

A proud UWI alumna, Dr. Soomer is the Chair of The UWI Global Campus Council. In April 2024, she was appointed Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent, reflecting her significant influence on global platforms. Dr. Soomer is also a dedicated member of the Saint Lucia Reparations Committee.

Since 2020, Dr. Soomer has served as an Independent Organisational Development Consultant. Her previous senior positions include Adviser and Deputy Director at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Assistant Lecturer at The UWI Cave Hill Campus and the University of North Carolina Central and Visiting Professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Dr. Soomer has been recognised with numerous prestigious awards, including:

• The Order of José de Marcoleta in the Degree of Grand Cross from the Republic of Nicaragua for diplomacy,
• The Saint Lucia Cross for distinguished service in education, diplomacy, regionalism, and development speciality,
• The City of Santiago Award for Outstanding Work for the Caribbean Business Forum,
• The Pelican Award from The UWI as a Distinguished Graduate of the Decade 1989-1998 for excellence in diplomacy, public service, and regionalism, and
• Outstanding Leadership Award on the 70th Anniversary of The UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados.

An accomplished author and historian, Dr. Soomer has published numerous works that enrich the historical and cultural narrative of the Caribbean.

A pioneering diplomat, Her Excellency Honourable Dr. June Soomer has made significant contributions to regional and international development. Additionally, her leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in advancing the Caribbean’s presence on global platforms.