Nominations for the new Young Caymanian Leadership Awards were submitted back in November and the five selected finalists will be announced by the end of the month. The Observer on Sunday caught up with Natalie Urquhart, Young Caymanian Leader of 2011-2 and Director of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, to find out what her year as leader had been like.  

When one is named young Caymanian leader of the year what are the associated duties and responsibilities?  

It’s both an incredible gift and a great responsibility to carry the title of Young Caymanian Leader. You’re given an opportunity to reach school students across the Island from primary through to graduates, so you have to think deeply about how you are going to use that gift. Overall, you hope to be a positive role model and to motivate some of those students to have faith in themselves and to follow their dreams.  

What approach did you take when addressing students of different ages and how did they react?  

My platform was about using creativity and innovation to excel in this rapidly changing world of ours. I don’t just mean creativity in its most traditional form – the arts – but instilling a creative thread in every area of our lives from studying in school, to problem solving, to building careers and to raising families. 

Today’s success requires a fundamental shift in the way we think and approach business. We must broaden our horizons and start thinking ‘outside the box’ as it were. For our students it means expanding their mindset, going on to further education, choosing new career streams, and not being afraid to follow their hearts. For those of us already in the workplace it means adopting a creative attitude and an innovative-mindset – one that will help each of us turn change into opportunity. 

When visiting younger students I’ve spoken to them about their career choices – and we’ve had everything from pilots, to doctors, to chefs and even a pirate - and what they need to do to get there - studying hard, seeking mentorship, and never giving up. We also spoken about the importance of giving back to our community and ways of doing so. The most rewarding part of these visits is the student’s feedback. They all have ideas about what they want to do and how to help and are so enthusiastic about sharing these. It’s been a very inspiring, and often highly energetic, experience.  

I’ve also had the opportunity to serve as the YCLA ambassador at various events, education seminars and media. It’s been a wonderful experience all round the YCLA nominees are individuals who are identified as role models who inspire and encourage young people.


Who were your role models ? 

My parents have always been central role models in my life and my most important lessons have come from them. They certainly encouraged my dream of a career in the arts, a career which really didn’t exist in Cayman when I was very young, and gave me the support to have faith in my own decisions.  

Later, when I first began volunteering, and then working, at the NGCI Leslie Bigelman (the founding director) was a huge inspiration. She was dynamic, creative and fast paced and, most importantly, never fazed by the most difficult of situations. I think the need for role models/mentors never stops – just as we never stop learning - and it’s important to continue seeking out such relationships. The YCLA alumni are an amazing group of people and it’s been a wonderful opportunity to get to know some of them better. I’ve learnt a lot.  

What do you feel you have gained from your year as Young Caymanian Leader? 

Being part of YCLA is a life changing experience. There have been so many wonderful moments from the initial Gala, to speaking at the John Gray High School Graduation ceremony, attending the Lighthouse Christmas concert, meeting Junior Achievement students, attending the Passport2Success graduation, which is entirely organised by the students, and visiting primary students from East End to West Bay, among others. It’s enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of young people in our community and a chance to share some of their hopes and dreams. So many of the students that I’ve spoken to have so much talent and enthusiasm and we need to nurture that as a community. YCLA has motivated me to reach further and do more. And, professionally it has also opened many doors.  

it’s been a very busy year for you, Are you looking forward to a slightly quieter year ahead? 

Its been a busy year without a doubt, inspiring, challenging and motivating in equal measure. And we still have a lot to achieve in the next few weeks. In March I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with my husband and family again and hopefully to take some art classes, which is something that I haven’t done in years.