Cayman National Cultural Foundation Board of Directors
Lorna Reid
Chairperson
Arthur Dzaghgouni
Treasurer
Natalie Urquhart
Ex Offico Member
Stephen Price
Member
Carmin Godfrey
Member
Sulekha Tummala
Member
Jason Gilbert
Member
Who’s Who at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation
Natalie Urquhart, MA, MA (Hons), BEM
Chief Executive Officer
Natalie Urquhart is CNCF’s Chief Executive Officer, currently on secondment from the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) where she has been Executive Director since 2009. She holds a MAs (Hons) in Art History, and in Arts Policy and Management, and has over twenty years’ experience within the local and regional cultural sector. She specialises in developing creative strategies, institutional development, programming and exhibitions for cultural entities.
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Urquhart is a leading authority on Caymanian art and culture, having worked as Director and Chief Curator at NGCI since 2009. She is the Immediate Past President of the Museums Association of the Caribbean (2017-2020); a former core committee member of the Tilting Axis – Caribbean art alliance (2016-2020); a member of the Cayman Islands National Cultural Policy Committee representing the Visual Arts, Fashion and Creative Industries sectors; and a former member of the Visual Arts Society, the Cayman Islands Constitution Commission, and the Chamber of Commerce. Highlights of her career include leading the National Gallery Capital Project, establishing the Cayman Islands Biennial – the country’s first multi-venue tri-island art project, creating the NGCI Creative Careers programme to help build capacity for the Caymanian creative sector, launching Cayman Art Week in response to the impact of the pandemic on the creative sector, and authoring the country’s first formal art history. She is the recipient of several national awards for her services to the cultural sector and she was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2022 for her services to arts and culture in the Cayman Islands and the wider region.
As CEO Natalie is responsible for the strategic and operational direction of CNCF, heading up a team that includes producers, technical staff, administrative staff, grants and development staff, and CNCF’s working committees. She is currently leading the organization’s strategic redevelopment project which explores the future direction of CNCF by building upon its 38 year legacy.
Rita Powell, BA (Hons)
Head of Education, Research and Grants
Rita holds a BA (Hons) in Art, Design and Media with Combined Studies from the Richmond the American International University in London, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (University College Cayman Islands), in addition to several professional certificates and training in Child Safeguarding, leadership, and inclusion. She is currently pursuing an M.SC. In Mental Health Psychology from the University of Liverpool.
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Rita has worked in the education industry in the Cayman Islands for the past 12 years in the Cayman Islands Government school system and most recently as Deputy Principle at Grace Christian Academy. She brings experience of leading teams of over 25 persons and a high level of knowledge within the Cayman Islands curriculum, Caymanian culture and heritage, and research practices. Research is the foundation of Rita’s current practice and as such she recognizes the power and importance of strengthening the Cayman community through not only events and plans, but also through discovery, education and the dissemination of verifiable information. She formally worked as Programme Coordinator at Cayman National Cultural Foundation and is delighted to return to the organization to help further its mission to promote, preserve and develop Caymanian arts and cultural heritage. Rita sees this role as an opportunity to care for the people of her country by ensuring opportunities to break through boundaries that prevent positive change.
Cassandra Shea, BFA
Head of Theatre and Festivals
Cassandra Shea is a seasoned professional with over nine years of diverse experience in non-profits, events management, marketing, and theatre production/management. She brings a wealth of expertise gained from working with renowned international organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, Heifer International, Atlanta’s CARE International, and Nuance a Microsoft company.
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Cassandra holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Film and Television from the New York Film Academy. Additionally, she possesses a teaching diploma in English Literature and Psychology, showcasing her commitment to continuous learning and education. Her track record includes successfully leading large teams and managing complex projects, all while overseeing team budgets. These skills have been honed through her experiences both globally and locally, including her work at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands and KPMG of the Cayman Islands.
Cassandra has also been actively involved in the US film industry and ran a production company and theatre space in Los Angeles, gaining valuable insights and contributing to the field. Cassandra has a history with the organization having volunteered, showcasing her deep connection to the cultural and artistic initiatives promoted by the CNCF.
As the Head of Theatre & Festivals, Cassandra Shea continues to make significant contributions to the cultural landscape, bringing creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership to the Harquail Theatre and the CNCF as a whole. Her dedication to the arts and commitment to community engagement mark her as a valuable asset to the organization and the thriving cultural scene in the Cayman Islands.
Barry Campbell
Theatre & Events Technician
With over thirty years’ experience in live sound engineering, lighting, stage and event productions, Barry Campbell is CNCF’s Theatre & Events Technician. He previously worked as Sound Engineer & Events Department Supervisor at AI Rentals, and has performed as musician, sound engineer, live event technician & DJ for many international and local acts such as The Juveniles, UBU, Tabia, Localmotion, MOJ, Dennis Brown, Freddie McGreggor, Beres Hammond, Third World, Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, Steel Pulse, Maxi Priest.
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Since joining the organisation in 2017, Barry has provided technical expertise for CNCF’s wider programme schedule, including: Rundown, Gimistory, Red Sky at Night, the National Arts & Culture Awards, Cayman Islands Folk Singers, art exhibitions, summer camps, Young at Arts, and Young Image Makers. His responsibilities include managing the technical aspects of theatrical performances at the Harquail and Studio Theatres, along with lighting, sound, and stage management for productions and live events, such as theatrical performances, concerts, festivals, conferences, exhibitions & showcases.
Yainelys Ebanks, BA
Arts Administrator
Yainelys Ebanks holds a BA in International Economics from the American University of Paris. She is multi-lingual, with 20 years combined experience in hospitality and film, government administration, international football administration and banking & finance. She has held roles such as Executive Assistant and Senior Research Analyst and has also supported within the Cayman Islands Judicial System as a Spanish-English translator/interpreter.
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Within the past six years, she has navigated her way through the film industry as a freelancer and has held roles such as Production Assist, Art Assistant, Production Coordinator and Producer. She is excited to continue her career within the arts industry at CNCF, and contribute to projects and objectives that centre around Cayman arts, culture, and heritage.
George Jones
Front of House Supervisor
George Jones is a cultural practitioner, professional musician, and events coordinator with over thirty years’ experience in festivals and theatre productions. He is the founding member of one of the world’s greatest Soca bands, Square One, out of Barbados. He has travelled the world extensively performing in internationally renowned world class venues such as Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, The Apollo Theatre and The Hammersmith Palais, to name a few.
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George has been actively involved in CNCF’s programmes since 2010, initially starting out as a volunteer before transitioning into the role of musical director for the annual productions of Rundown and Gimistory from 2013 to 2020. He officially joined the CNCF staff in 2019 where in his capacity as Programmes Coordinator he was responsible for the Cayman Islands delegation to Carifesta XIV held in Trinidad. That year he was also actively involved in the production of NACA, Red Sky at Night, National Children’s Festival of Arts, Rundown and Gimistory.
George is the recipient of a Barbados Music Award lifetime Achievement Award as well as a Silver Star for ‘Creativity in the Arts’ in the Cayman Islands.
In his new role of Front of House Supervisor, George brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will enhance the relationship and interaction between the theatre, our clients and the wider public.
Nicole Durrant, BFA
Education and Research Officer
Nicole Durrant is a graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston Jamaica, where she earned a BFA in dance performance and Chorography. Since then, Nicole has been an active dance artist who has taught dance techniques to youth and adults in Cayman, performed with various dance groups and institutions in Cayman as well as produced a few independent dance productions and exhibitions. Nicole is passionate about the art form of dance and believes that it is an effective tool for entertainment, education, and investigation into cultures around the world.
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Nicole works with CNCF’s programmes team as Education and Research Officer to implement programming that engages, educates, and fosters the growth and continuity of Caymanian history and culture through the Arts.
Chambria Dalhouse, BA
Production Officer
Chambria holds a BA in Music Performance & Production and an MA in Performance from the London College of Creative Media, and a certificate in Music Production from the Tik Tok Creativity Programme (London). She has formally worked with the UCCI News Department (Cayman Islands) as a videographer and audio transcriber, as a runner and BG Wrangler on the film ‘The Retirement Plan’, as Administrative Assistant & Coordinator of Pandemix Steelband, and most recently at the Royal Cayman Islands Police. Before returning to the Cayman Islands, she held internships at Halo (London), Tribe Urban Radio (London), the Young Vic Theatre (London), the Soho Theatre (London), and Dolly (London).
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Chambria enjoys working at CNCF as it affords her the opportunity to pursue her passion for Caymanian arts and culture. She has enjoyed learning on the job with the wider Theatre Department team. When not busy working on CNCF productions, Chambria composes music and sound for short films, theatre, and games. She is an avid Steelpan player and in 2023 she represented the Cayman Islands at the National Panorama Competition in London, UK. In 2018, she was the recipient of a Cayman Islands Government ‘Proud of Them Award’.
Sarah Needham, BA (Hons)
Programmes Assistant
Sarah Needham is a recent graduate from the University of Manchester, attaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Modern History with Economics. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the growth and success of Caymanian culture and has previously worked as an intern at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. Outside of CNCF, she is part of the Cayman Art Week team, and is an avid learner of Caymanian history.
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Sarah has been passionate about cultural heritage and preservation since she was an undergraduate student in the United Kingdom, having also volunteered at the Elizabeth Gaskell Museum in Manchester. As programmes Assistant, Sarah aids the programmes team in the coordinating and promotion of CNCF events and festivals, as well as the expansion of beloved Caymanian institutions such as the Folk Singers’ Choir. As part of CNCF’s strategic redevelopment project, Sarah is also responsible for consolidating CNCF’s collection of cultural archives, in order to make decades worth of precious Caymanian documents and artifacts more accessible to the public.
George Dexton Powery
Groundskeeper
George Dexton ‘Deckie’ Powery is one of CNCF’s longest serving staff members, having been with the organisation for over a decade. Deckie is CNCF’s Ground Keeper, responsible for maintaining the extensive grounds at the Harquail Theatre and the Mind’s Eye Centre in South Sound. In addition to his primary role, he regularly assists CNCF’s Operations Coordinator and Theatre and Events Technician, as well as provides support for CNCF’s wider programming schedule.