Members of the public are being invited to help decide the winner of the Making Waves People’s Choice Award, a new addition to the 2026 Making Waves Awards programme.
For the first time in the awards’ five-year history, the public can vote for one outstanding individual from among this year’s shortlisted finalists (listed below), giving the community a direct voice in celebrating Caymanian excellence on the global stage.
Created by Cayman Connection, the Making Waves Awards recognise Caymanians living overseas who are making exceptional contributions across a range of industries while representing the Cayman Islands internationally.
Category winners will continue to be selected by an independent panel of judges, but the People’s Choice Award places the final decision in the hands of the public.
Cayman Connection executive director Ashlea Akinwumi (née Webster) said every finalist had an inspiring story of perseverance, innovation, leadership and service.
“The People’s Choice Award gives our community the opportunity to celebrate the individual whose journey has resonated most with them,” she said in a press release.
“We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to read the finalists’ stories, learn about their remarkable achievements and cast their vote.”
The People’s Choice Award will go to the finalist who receives the highest number of public votes.
The winner will be announced at the 2026 Making Waves Awards ceremony (date yet to be confirmed), which will be streamed live on Cayman Connection’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Voting is open now at caymanconnection.org/vote, where members of the public can learn more about each shortlisted finalist before casting their vote. Only one vote per person is allowed.
Voting closes at midnight on 9 August.
The finalists
Finalists have been selected across nine award categories following a judging process.
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Jawara Alleyne
Grace Byers
Alyssa Gilbert
STEM (sponsored by CUC)
Arielle Mon Desir
Lyea Rivers
Isabel Samuels
Education (sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Training)
Bella Alves
Tiffany Jeremiah
Raechel Nelson
Inclusion
Richard Parson
Amy Watson-Rankin
Financial, Legal and Professional Services (sponsored by Maples Group)
Shaune Fraser
Tom McCallum
Shivonne Mitchell
Environment and Sustainability (sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability)
Connor Childs
Rickeem Lashley
Isaiah Thomas
Health and Wellness (sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability)
Dr Larissa Johnson
Dr Rashida Smith-Webb
Sports (sponsored by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage)
Karthik Adapa
Gunnar Studenhofft
Vanjae Ramgeet
Tourism, Travel and Hospitality (sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and Trade Development)
Enzaghi Bush
Jordy Rankine
Cayman Connections is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering young Caymanians studying abroad by providing resources, support and community engagement.
