Annette Severin-Lestrade, MBA
Executive Leadership Strategist | Governance Advisor | Executive Coach | Keynote Speaker
Helping leaders and organizations build cultures of integrity, accountability and sustainable transformation.
About the Annette
Founder & Principal Advisor, ASL Advisory
Annette Severin-Lestrade is a visionary Caribbean leader, executive coach, and governance advisor dedicated to building stronger leaders and more resilient institutions. As the Founder and Principal Advisor of ASL Advisory, she partners with boards, corporate executives, financial institutions, and public sector organizations to navigate complex change, strengthen governance, and drive meaningful organizational transformation.
With more than three decades of leadership experience across the OECS and St. Maarten, Annette’s advisory work is grounded in real-world, firsthand experience. She understands the unique pressures of leading strategy, regulatory compliance, and cultural renewal within highly regulated environments because she has successfully walked that path herself.
From Medicine to Markets: An Unexpected Beginning
Annette’s path to the pinnacle of Caribbean banking began with an unexpected detour. Upon graduating high school, her heart was firmly set on a career in medicine. While waiting to go off to her university studies, she applied extensively for entry-level positions in medical-related fields, but none of those applications received a response.
Instead, destiny knocked from a different direction. Recognizing her potential, a senior manager at Barclays Bank reached out to her, not once, but twice. On that second call, Annette accepted the offer, stepping into a temporary role that would inadvertently spark a legendary, lifelong career in financial services. Though her industry shifted, her core motivation never changed; she has always possessed an unwavering passion for working with people and a driving desire to see them better off.
A Distinguished International Career
That initial step at Barclays led Annette to a major international bank, where she spent the majority of her banking life climbing the ranks and breaking barriers. Driven by her people-first philosophy, she consistently shattered glass ceilings, earning a reputation as a pioneer who achieved a series of “firsts” for the local bank branch in Dominica.
Her exceptional track record in client relations and operational excellence ultimately elevated her to regional prominence. She made history as the first-ever Senior Manager of Sales and Service Supporting the Eastern Caribbean and St. Maarten, a massive portfolio that solidified her expertise across multiple regional regulatory jurisdictions.
Leadership is not about permanence. It is about stewardship. It’s about what you build, who you develop and the impact you leave behind
Credentials & Professional Certifications
Leadership & Governance
- MBA, University of Liverpool
- Chartered Director
- Financial Governance Certification
- Strategic Oversight Certification
- Chairman’s Certification
Executive Coaching & Leadership Development
- Certified Executive Coach
- Extended DISC® Practitioner
- MBTI® Practitioner
- TetraMap® Facilitator
Change & Performance
- Prosci Certified Change Practitioner
- Certified Balanced Scorecard Professional
- COSO Enterprise Risk Management
Compliance & Financial Crime
- CAMS
- ACFCS
Lets Connect
Ready to Lead Beyond Compliance?
Every transformation begins with a conversation. Connect with ASL Advisory to explore leadership development, executive coaching, keynote speaking, and governance advisory tailored to your organization’s goals.
