Unlock Bermuda: Market Opportunities for U.S. Companies

The Hon. Alexa N. H. Lightbourne, JP, MP, is a passionate Bermudian who was raised on Dock Hill, Bermuda. Her career is defined by service. Following her successful win in Constituency 14 in the February 2025 General Election, she was appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs for the Government of Bermuda. Under her remit, Minister Lightbourne is responsible for the Department of Energy, Land Title Registry, Consumer Affairs, and the Regulatory Authority. Minister Lightbourne is a strategic consultant and policy advisor who is deeply committed to public service and community empowerment. She has a track record of impactful results locally and internationally, and her vision focuses on innovation, sustainability, and fostering inclusive growth for Bermuda.

Prior to her appointment, Minister Alexa Lightbourne served as the Head of Operations and Strategy and Chief of Staff to the Premier of Bermuda, where she drove critical government initiatives, improving efficiency, transparency, and operational excellence. She also was a public officer, serving in the role of Management Consulting Partner for the Government of Bermuda leading their change management initiatives across the service. Additionally, Minister Lightbourne supported transformative projects like the public LED light bulb exchange, solar rebate programme, and the Government Future Energy Strategy as a Government Consultant to Bermuda’s Deputy Premier and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Minister Lightbourne’s international political experience includes work on successful campaigns in Antigua, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Grenada. She served as campaign manager for the PLP’s  2017 and 2020 general elections. Locally, Minister Lightbourne serves as Treasurer of the Smith’s Parish Council and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Minister Alexa Lightbourne attended the Berkeley Institute, where she was Head Girl, and holds an LL.B. Laws degree from the University of Westminster, a Foundation degree in Politics and International Relations from Queen Mary, University of London and an Executive Leadership certification from Columbia University. She is also certified in Prince2 Project Management.

Antoinette Hurtado is a career Foreign Service Officer with over 20 years of experience in overseas and domestic positions. She was appointed to serve as the U.S. Consul General to Bermuda in March 2025. 

Ms. Hurtado's previous overseas assignments include: Political and Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy to Australia in Canberra; Consular Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Special Assistant to the Director of Communications and Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan; and Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See in Rome, Italy. 

In Washington, DC, Ms. Hurtado taught public diplomacy and communications classes at the State Department’s training center and led teams that developed and implemented digital public engagement campaigns with youth networks in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. She worked in the private sector for a year-long exchange program as a Lawrence Eagleburger Fellow and also served in the Department’s 24/7 Bureau of Intelligence and Research watch office and as an advance officer for the Secretary of State where she arranged overseas and domestic travel programs and logistics for the Secretary.  

Prior to her assignment to Bermuda, Ms. Hurtado served as the Diplomat in Residence for the Southwest region, recruiting the next generation of American professionals and students in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico for U.S. Department of State careers and student programs. 

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University.  

David leads the Business Development team at the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), overseeing the attraction of inward investment to Bermuda. He works closely with businesses and investors globally who are considering Bermuda as a jurisdiction for growth and expansion, with particular focus on insurance and reinsurance, family offices and high-net-worth individuals, and technology sectors including fintech, insurtech and digital assets.

David and his team also advance strategic infrastructure initiatives — from space and satellite to subsea cables — while supporting investment aligned with Bermuda’s climate action priorities.

He has worked with governments worldwide on investment attraction initiatives, with assignments spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

The Hon. Jason Hayward serves as Bermuda’s Minister of Economy and Labour, leading initiatives to drive economic growth, workforce development, immigration, labour relations, and international business.

First elected to Parliament in 2019, he was appointed Minister of Labour in 2020 after previously serving in the Senate as Junior Minister for Education, Health, Labour, Community Affairs, and Sports. He has chaired the National Training Board and led the development of Bermuda’s first National Workforce Development Plan.

Before politics, Minister Hayward worked in the Department of Statistics and served as the first elected full-time President of the Bermuda Public Services Union. A strong advocate for social and economic equity, he remains active in community and leadership development initiatives.

He holds an MBA in Finance from Nova Southeastern University and has completed executive leadership programs at Oxford and London Business School.

Katherine “Katie” Woody is the director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Caribbean Basin Agricultural Trade Office, promoting the export of U.S. food and agricultural exports to 25 markets in the Caribbean region. Katie is a career foreign service officer for USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. During her 17 years with USDA, she has been posted to South Africa, Brazil, and China, and has worked on trade facilitation and capacity building programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Haiti, and Cuba. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas and a juris doctor degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Kendaree is an accomplished professional with a career spanning various sectors. She currently serves as the Managing Director at Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA).

Before joining the BDA, Kendaree held the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce for 10 years, where she revitalized the organization from a financially challenged entity into a prominent voice for the business community. 

Kendaree's professional journey is characterized by her diverse experience in healthcare, insurance, and hospitality, where she has held several executive level positions. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Certificate in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors.

Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Kendaree is actively involved in charitable and governmental boards. She is also a founding member of The Bermuda International Film Festival and WeSpeak, an organization dedicated to helping women find their voices.