HR EVOLVE 2026

Claim Your Seat: HR at the Table

Elevating HR Strategy, Connection & Well-being on St. Maarten

Thank You for an Incredible First HR Evolve Conference!

HR Evolve continues - through learning, connection, and growth.

HR Evolve 2026: A Day to Remember

85+ Professionals Attended
6+ Expert Speakers
Cross-Sector Networking
4 Interactive Breakout Sessions
St. Maarten’s First HR Conference

Save the date: May 20, 2027!

HR EVOLVE CONFERENCE

Shaping the Future of Work on St. Maarten

Positioning HR as a strategic force behind resilient organizations, engaged employees, and a thriving labor market.

The future of St. Maarten depends on more than tourism, infrastructure, or policy. It depends on how we lead, develop, and support our people.

By strengthening HR’s role at the decision-making table, organizations are better equipped to manage talent, build resilient teams, and deliver consistent service excellence.

HR Evolve is more than a conference. It is a movement to strengthen St. Maarten’s labor market by positioning HR as a key driver of sustainable growth, organizational resilience, and long-term success.

What we are building together:

HR as a strategic voice in business and workforce decision-making
A stronger, more professional labor market across sectors
Empowered HR professionals with the tools, confidence, and influence to lead change
A connected HR community collaborating across organizations and industries
Sustainable HR leadership, with attention to well-being and long-term impact

By elevating HR, we elevate how talent is managed, how employees show up, and how our island is experienced, by residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

The Learning Continues

The conversations may have ended, but your HR Evolve journey does not stop here. One of the biggest takeaways from HR Evolve 2026 was clear: to truly claim your seat at the table, we must continue investing in our growth, capabilities, and confidence as HR and business professionals.

That is why we are excited to offer you a series of exclusive post–HR Evolve learning opportunities, specially curated for our HR Evolve community.

Insights from Industry Leaders

We are curating a powerful lineup of HR leaders, business leaders, and well-being experts, each bringing hands-on experience, practical frameworks, and insights tailored to our island reality.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Cleveland Beresford Jr. serves as Managing Director and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of the NAGICO Group. With over 15 years of experience in human resources and leadership, Cleveland brings a dynamic and strategic perspective to the evolving role of HR in today’s business landscape. In his current role, he leads the HR function of the NAGICO Group, guiding a workforce of over 450 professionals and driving key initiatives in organizational development, culture, and change management across the Caribbean region.
His diverse background includes a military career with service in the Dutch Army as recruitment officer, leadership roles in the public sector and high-level policy advisory position. He also served as a director and chairman of the supervisory board of PJIA Holdings Company. This unique combination of experience has shaped his expertise in strategic coordination, governance, and stakeholder management, highlighting him as a principal advocate on the future of HR in St. Maarten and the Caribbean.

Michele Korteweg is the Founder of Shortcut 2 Success, a marketing, project management, and business solutions company based in St. Maarten. With more than 15 years on the island, her career includes leadership roles that required strategic thinking and close collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
She previously served as Regatta Director of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, where she led multidisciplinary teams, managed high-pressure decisions, and worked closely with boards, sponsors, and senior leadership. These experiences shaped her understanding of how influence, communication, and confidence are developed over time.
Today, Michele facilitates practical, interactive sessions focused on navigating resistance, leading difficult conversations, and strengthening one’s voice at the leadership table. She also serves on the boards of the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) and the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA).

Anne-Marie Brooks has served as General Manager of Divi Little Bay Beach Resort & Oceans at Little Bay since 2018, bringing decades of hospitality leadership experience to one of St. Maarten’s premier resorts. Originally from Epen in the Netherlands, she grew up in a family-owned hotel in a renowned tourism region, where she developed a strong foundation in service, operations, and guest experience from an early age.
Anne-Marie first came to St. Maarten in 1990 for a management internship at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and chose to remain on the island, building her career in the hospitality sector. Over the years, she has held senior management roles across multiple resorts, including 21 years at Oyster Bay Beach Resort, where she advanced from Office Manager to Assistant General Manager. She has also co-owned and managed Beau Beau’s Beach Bar & Restaurant.
Her leadership philosophy centers on dedication, operational excellence, and a genuine passion for hospitality. She prioritizes seamless operations, strong team collaboration, and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Beyond her professional role, Anne-Marie remains actively engaged in the community through industry associations and local initiatives, reflecting her deep commitment to St. Maarten’s tourism sector and social development.

Peggy-Ann Richardson is an accredited Executive Director in Corporate Governance and serves as Division Head of Labor Affairs & Social Services within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor. She is also Vice Chairlady of the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA). With over 15 years of public sector experience, she is dedicated to advancing labor rights, social equity, and workforce development in St. Maarten.
Throughout her career, Peggy-Ann has held senior HR leadership roles within international hospitality organizations and a publicly owned telecommunications company, strengthening her expertise in governance, compliance, and strategic people management.
In her current role, she oversees labor policy execution, employment services, social protection initiatives, and regulatory compliance. Through her work at NIPA, she champions vocational and technical education as a strategic driver of economic empowerment, aligning education pathways with labor market needs to build a skilled, future-ready workforce for St. Maarten.

Rothmar Coenraad is the Manager of Operations Caribbean at AFAS Software Caribbean Aruba, where he leads regional operations and partners with organizations across the Caribbean to modernize and optimize their business processes.
With over 20 years of experience in the software industry, Rothmar specializes in business information systems, ERP implementations, and digital transformation initiatives. He has supported organizations across multiple Caribbean islands in strengthening their operational structure, improving efficiency, and aligning strategic objectives with day-to-day execution.
Rothmar is known for combining technical expertise with practical, hands-on leadership. His work focuses on helping organizations transition from an operational mindset to a more strategic, data-driven approach that supports sustainable growth and smarter decision-making.

Naomi Korstanje is a Sint Maarten–based Physical Therapist, Sports & Movement Innovator, entrepreneur, and sports administrator dedicated to improving health, performance, and community well-being. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Top Form Physio & Consultancy B.V., where she provides rehabilitation, aquatherapy, lifestyle coaching, and performance training with a strong focus on prevention and sustainable health outcomes.
Naomi also serves as President of the St. Maarten Sports Federation, leading initiatives in governance, athlete and coach development, and strategic partnerships across the local and regional sports landscape. Her leadership approach emphasizes inclusivity, transparency, and building future-ready systems that support both grassroots participation and elite performance.
In addition to her work in healthcare and sports, Naomi is co-founder of the Let’s Talk Art Foundation, supporting creative expression and cultural storytelling on the island. She is currently completing a Master’s degree in Sports & Movement Innovation and remains actively involved in advisory and community initiatives focused on well-being, prevention, and sustainable development.

Dr. Joanne Siebel is an Occupational Health Physician and Director at Medwork, an established occupational health service on Sint Maarten. With a background in medical advisory, she supports employers and employees in building sustainable, healthy workplaces, with a focus on stress-related illness, burnout, and reintegration after psychological strain.
In her daily work, Dr. Siebel emphasizes clear communication, early intervention, and practical solutions that balance employee well-being with organizational needs. She is a strong advocate for psychological safety as a foundation for high performance and for integrating mental health awareness into leadership and HR practices.
Bringing both clinical insight and strategic perspective, Dr. Siebel contributes to conversations on resilience, prevention, and people-centered leadership across the labor market.

Attorney-at-Law & Founder, DEJONG
Gerald Simmons-de Jong is the Founder of DEJONG, a law firm established in 2023 with offices across Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire. As an attorney, he advises both public sector institutions and private organizations throughout the Caribbean, with a focus on administrative and private law. He is also a certified mediator and holds various supervisory roles across the Dutch Caribbean.
Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, and raised in Rotterdam, Gerald studied law at Erasmus University, where he began his career as an Assistant Professor. He later transitioned into legal practice in Sint Maarten, further expanding his expertise in both public and private legal frameworks.
Since 2015, Gerald has been based on Saba, where he also served as an administrative advisor to the Public Entity of Saba and as a Deputy Judge at the Joint Court of Justice. His broad regional experience and legal insight position him as a trusted advisor across multiple islands.

Meet our MC
Damien A. Schmidt

Damien A. Schmidt is a strategic project leader and governance professional with extensive experience guiding organizational transformation, change management, and cross-sector collaboration in St. Maarten.

Having led large-scale institutional initiatives and served at board level within regulated organizations, he understands firsthand the importance of aligning people, strategy, and long-term resilience.

With a background in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and a passion for leadership development, Damien believes that the future of work on St. Maarten depends on empowering professionals to lead with clarity and purpose.