Kathy Smith, the first woman elected President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), embodies resilience, determination, and a commitment to uplifting others. Her election reflects not only her inspiring journey but also the Chamber’s dedication to inclusivity and empowerment.
She was elected President on March 21, during the Chamber’s first statutory meeting where the executive management committee election took place. This followed the elections for the Chamber’s 21-member Council for 2025/2026 held during the Annual General Meeting on March 19.
“It is indeed a privilege for me to be given this opportunity—even more so to be the first woman president of the GCCI,” Smith said in her inaugural remarks, thanking her peers for their confidence in her leadership.
Smith’s path began with humble beginnings, raised by a hardworking grandmother who ran a small business making cassava bread and cassareep.
“My grandmother was my first exposure to an entrepreneur. Her industriousness and resilience influenced the assertiveness and confidence I now bring to business and life,” Smith told OilNOW in an exclusive interview following her historic appointment.
Her professional journey started in education as a teacher, where she developed a passion for nurturing others. A calling for the business world soon led her down a different path: completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management at the University of Guyana. Soon, she was toiling away at the Private Sector Commission, where she spent five years honing her skills. It was there she became fascinated with the work of the GCCI.
“When I joined the Chamber in 2022, I was eager to use every opportunity it offered. I joined the Construction and HSSE Committee and was appointed Vice Chairperson,” Smith recalled. Her remarkable journey had just begun.
In the ensuing years, her rise within the GCCI was marked by her dedication and advocacy. Elected to the Council in 2023, she became Secretary of the Executive Management Committee and Chairperson of the Human Resource Management and Capacity Building Committee. She then trained her focus on member education and collaboration with government agencies which was pivotal in strengthening the GCCI’s role in supporting businesses.
“Last year, as Senior Vice President, I chaired the Petroleum Committee, where we focused on showcasing the country’s growth and fostering confidence in our members to engage in the oil and gas industry.”
As GCCI President, Smith has clear priorities, particularly for women entrepreneurs. “My vision is to establish programmes supporting women in financial literacy, digital marketing, and negotiation. I also want to advocate for incentives like prioritised contracts for women-led businesses with local content certification.”
One of her flagship initiatives is the establishment of the Women and Micro Business Learning Centre at GCCI. The Centre is anticipated to be completed and operationalised by the second quarter of 2025. “This Centre will provide training to ensure women’s businesses are sustainable and profitable. Whether it’s a one-woman operation or a small firm, we want them to thrive,” Smith said.
Beyond business, the new President is dedicated to helping local companies safeguard themselves from exploitation by foreign firms. “We need to tackle unethical practices like double-dipping, where foreign companies exploit partnerships with local businesses. This violates the spirit of local content and must end.”
Smith’s presidency also reflects GCCI’s commitment to inclusivity. “When I looked around the table last year, I saw many women councillors. The percentage of women-led businesses in our membership is almost 50%. GCCI celebrates and respects women, and I’m proud to be part of that,” she noted.
Balancing her professional and personal life, Smith finds fulfillment in her faith, family, and capacity-building work. “I want to see our women equipped with the skills to navigate the business world confidently. Supporting others to elevate themselves is what drives me.”
