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With The Honorable Dr. Faith Brebnor, Christlyn Moore, and the Honorable Abby Tinica Taylor
Cost: Free to ILA Members; $9.95 for non-members.
- 12 November 2025, 7:00-8:00 pm EST (UTC-5)
This event is being co-hosted by three of the International Leadership Association’s member communities: Leadership Development, Public Leadership, and Women and Leadership and will be moderated by members of those communities, including Shane Mohammed, PhD; Brian Redmond, PhD; and Chrys Egan, PhD.
What can three women from an archipelagic state teach the Global North about female leadership? Do the complexities of race, age or gender express in the same way in the corridors of power in their part of the world? How do they view development, power and their islands’ future in a rapidly changing global environment? Join us as we explore these and other issues through the lenses of these visionary leaders.
Ms. Moore’s distinguished career spans both the criminal and civil bar, with early prominence as one of Trinidad and Tobago’s few female criminal defense advocates. Her legal practice evolved to encompass high-stakes civil litigation, judicial review, gaming law, medical and professional negligence, and administrative disputes. She is widely recognized for her litigation strategy, advocacy training, and risk assessment acumen.
As Minister of Justice (2012–2013), Ms. Moore led transformative initiatives in criminal justice reform, juvenile justice, prison service modernization, and electronic monitoring legislation. She oversaw a $650M TTD budget and provided policy direction to key institutions including the Legal Aid Advisory Authority and the Police Complaints Authority. Her tenure marked a pivotal shift toward restorative justice and institutional accountability.
Ms. Moore holds an LLM in International Commercial Arbitration from Queen Mary University of London, and has served as legal advisor to numerous state enterprises and commissions, including the Tobago House of Assembly, the Ministry of Housing, and the Commission of Enquiry into the 1990 attempted coup. She is also a Senior Ordinary Member of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago and a Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Investment Finance Company. She currently serves as the Chairman of the Tobago Regional Health Authority.
Beyond her legal and governmental roles, she is a founding member of Soroptimist International of Newtown and the NGO Tobago Benchmark, championing the welfare of women and girls and advancing civic engagement.
Abby Tinica Taylor: The Youngest Presiding Officer of the Tobago House of Assembly
Abby Tinica Taylor, born on April 12th, 1985, in Mary’s Hill, Trinidad and Tobago, has carved a notable path as the youngest Presiding Officer of the Tobago House of Assembly. Since her appointment in December 2021, Taylor’s tenure has been marked by a blend of youthful vigor, educational excellence, and a dedication to public service.
Educational Background
Taylor’s academic achievements laid a strong foundation for her career. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, providing her with a deep understanding of cultural and historical contexts. She furthered her studies with a Master of Arts in Carnival Studies, demonstrating her commitment to preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Additionally, she acquired a Certificate in Event Risk Assessment, showcasing her dedication to ensuring the safety and success of public events.
Professional Career
Taylor’s professional journey began in the Division of Settlements, now known as the Division of Settlements, Public Utilities, and Urban Development. She served as a Client Relations Officer for ten years, honing her skills in client relations and public administration. Following this, she worked in the Division of Sport, now the Division of Community Development, Youth Development, and Sport, as a Public Procurement Officer for four years, where she demonstrated her expertise in procurement processes.
Her career then led her to the Tobago Festivals Commission Limited, where she spent two years as a Procurement Manager. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing procurement activities for major cultural events, ensuring all processes adhered to the highest standards of accountability and efficiency.
Legislative Experience
In December 2021, at the age of 36, Taylor was appointed as the Presiding Officer of the Assembly Legislature in the Tobago House of Assembly, making her the youngest individual to ever hold this position. Her tenure is characterized by active participation in crucial committees, including the Standing Orders Committee and the Committee of Privileges. Taylor has also represented the Tobago House of Assembly at several notable conferences, such as the 45th CPA Caribbean, Americas, and the Atlantic Regional Conference in Turks and Caicos (2023), the 46th CPA Caribbean, Americas, and the Atlantic Regional Conference in Guyana (2024), the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Ghana (2023), and the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Australia (2024).
Major Achievements
As Presiding Officer, Taylor has implemented several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the legislative process and fostering greater public engagement. She founded “The People’s House” and “Primary Plenary” programs to increase participatory democracy in legislative activities. Her efforts in digitizing Hansard and historical documents have modernized the documentation process, making legislative records more accessible. She also conceptualized
the Assembly Legislature Activity Book and launched the first newsletter, “Legislature in Focus,” to keep the public informed and engaged.
Looking to the future, Taylor plans to introduce Legislative History into schools at all educational levels to promote civic education and awareness. She aims to establish the Presiding Officer’s Fellowship Programme and conceptualize and develop the Parliamentary Interconnected Network (PIN), a parliamentary database research platform for members.
Personal Interests and Community Involvement
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Taylor is deeply committed to community development. She is actively involved in youth development, women empowerment, and small business innovation. Her hobbies include weightlifting, CrossFit, reading, and studying history, reflecting her dynamic and multifaceted personality.
Her favorite quote, “Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter,” encapsulates her belief in empowering others and ensuring that diverse voices are heard and valued.
Abby Tinica Taylor’s journey from Mary’s Hill to becoming the youngest Presiding Officer of the Tobago House of Assembly exemplifies her dedication to public service, her commitment to education, and her passion for community development. Her contributions continue to shape the legislative landscape and inspire future generations.
