Employee of the Year 2024 - Portfolio of the Civil Service
Deputy Governor's 2024 Awards
Deputy Governor’s 2024 Awards Ceremony
Martha Connolly, Communications Manager in the then Ministry of Border Control, Labour & Culture, was named the Cayman Islands Government 2024 Employee of the Year at the annual CIG Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony held at the Kimpton Seafire Resort on 15 May 2025.
Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson selected Ms Connolly as the top honouree under the Deputy Governor’s Award Programme. She was drawn from the pool of 12 Employees of the Month for 2024, also chosen by him from across the Civil Service.
The Deputy Governor and the Cayman Islands Government salute 2024 CIG Employee of the Year Martha Connolly and the other individuals and teams who deliver excellence every day, living out our purpose of Making Lives Better.
"Please be proud of what you have achieved. You have served with distinction. You have risked your life. You have done everything that was asked of you and more and you have done it with passion, integrity and professionalism”
- Honourable Franz Manderson, MBE, Cert. Hon., JP
Deputy Governor & Head of the Civil Service
Employee of the Year - Martha Connolly
Ms Connolly was highlighted as “the driving force behind the Ministry of Border Control, Labour & Culture’s powerful public presence”, with her leadership having been especially vital in navigating sensitive issues.
In her acceptance remarks Ms Connolly said, “To be recognised as Employee of the Year for 2024 is an honour of a lifetime. Civil servants, let us keep striving for excellence in everything we do and continue to serve with heart as we work together to become a world-class Civil Service.”
Employee of the Year - Finalists
January
Twila Rodgers
Learning Support Assistant,
Ministry of Investment, Innovation & Social Development , Sunrise Adult Training Centre
Strategic Goal: Delivering an Outstanding Customer Experience
Febuary
Ashley Mclaughlin
Call Centre Agent,
Ministry of Investment, Innovation & Social Development, Needs Assessment Unit
Strategic Goal: Develop Exceptional Leadership
March
Martha Connolly
Communications Manager,
Ministry of Border Control, Labour & Culture, Administration office in the Ministry of BCLC
Strategic Goal: Delivering an Outstanding Customer Experience
April
Trenda Kelly
Administrative & Operations Manager,
Ministry of Financial Services & Commerce, Department of Commerce & Investment
Strategic Goal: Delivering an Outstanding Customer Experience
May
Dennis Oli
Prison Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs,
His Majesty's Prison Service
Strategic Goal: Delivering an Outstanding Customer Experience
June
Suzanne Collins
Project Manager, Ministry of Investment, Innovation & Social Development
Strategic Goal: Pursue Excellence in Talent Development
July
Samatha Sillitoe
Detective Constable (Major Incident Room Office Manager),
Office of the Commissioner of Police, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service
Strategic Goal: Pursue Excellence in Talent Development
August
Dena Ebanks-Iqbal
Assistant Recruitment Manager,
Ministry of Education, Human Resources Unit in the Ministry of Education
Strategic Goal: Delivering an Outstanding Customer Experience
September
Christopher Mcfield
Customs and Border Control Officer,
Ministry of Border Control, Labour & Culture, Customs & Border Control Service
Strategic Goal: Demonstrate Excellence in Governance Practices
October
Charla Hobson
Facilitator, Formal Education,
Portfolio of the Civil Service, Civil Service College
Strategic Goal: Pursue Excellence in Talent Development
November
December
Moments of Magic
Department of Counselling Services
Another highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of the coveted “Moment of Magic” team award, which was presented to the Department of Counselling Services.
Accepting the award on the department’s behalf were DCS members including Clinical Supervisor Charmane Miller, Programme Coordinator Brendon Malice and Parent Facilitator Amber Caum
