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This Week We Feature Young Professional Natalie N. Penn

Our Young Professional for this week Natalie N. Penn. Photo: Provided
Penn's (at left) portfolio entails educating youth age 10 to 17 about the importance of tourism and the role that they can play within our tourism industry. Photo: Provided
Penn's (at left) portfolio entails educating youth age 10 to 17 about the importance of tourism and the role that they can play within our tourism industry. Photo: Provided
Our Young Professional (right) has been on the job at the BVI Tourist Board for the last seven years. Photo: Provided
Our Young Professional (right) has been on the job at the BVI Tourist Board for the last seven years. Photo: Provided
Penn (left) spending time with her family including husband Alex A. Lake. Photo: Provided
Penn (left) spending time with her family including husband Alex A. Lake. Photo: Provided
Natalie N. Penn (right) is an avid horse owner along with her husband Alex V. Lake of Family Affair Racing Stables. Photo: Provided
Natalie N. Penn (right) is an avid horse owner along with her husband Alex V. Lake of Family Affair Racing Stables. Photo: Provided
By N. Johann Earle

Tourism Education Coordinator in the BVI Tourist Board, Natalie N. Penn is being recognised this week as our Young Professional as she makes her contribution to the education of youth on the importance of the hospitality sector to the Virgin Islands’ economy.

She has been working in this position for the last seven years. “My portfolio entails educating our youth age 10 to 17 about the importance of tourism and the role that they can play within our tourism industry,” she said.

Natalie was born on the island of St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Moving to the VI when she was younger, she attended Simmonds Preschool, Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School and the Althea Scatliffe Primary School.

Coming up in primary school, her favourite subjects were Social Studies and History. Something about being involved in our community has always played an integral role for me as a person growing up and I think this is one of the reasons why I like to take part in a lot of community outreaches,” she said.

Community minded

Penn is a part of the Follow the Movement body and also a part of the Prince and Princess Committee and from time to time would assist the Tourist Board with any clean up that they may have around the country.

“I also encourage and invite the students from the secondary schools and the primary schools to come out so that they could get their extra hours of community service required for them to graduate,” she said.

After she completed her time at the BVI High School, she went on to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College then to the Florida International University where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology minoring in Tourism and Hospitality and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management with Walden University.

Our Young Professional said that initially she wanted to become a guidance counselor and hence she pursued her undergraduate degree in Psychology. “Being that I am from an island that is tourism oriented, I decided to do a minor in Tourism and Hospitality just as a backup,” she said.

“When I came home from school the first job that I got was at the Tourist Board and I never left,” she said.

Our Young Professional noted that she started out in Marketing at the Board. “Eventually I grew into the position that I have now as the Tourism Education Coordinator. To me the role has increased so much...the portfolio was at a standstill for a long time and then I picked it up and had to put a lot of things in motion to get it going and build back rapport with persons in the education sector. So while the role has intensified somewhat I enjoy the challenge and I love doing what I do,” she said.

Penn added that she incorporated her love for children with the tourism education portfolio that she was given on the job and she said it has been going well since then.

According to our Young Professional, her portfolio to the Tourist Board requires her to be well-versed and knowledgeable with regard to the education syllabus and curriculum put forward by the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn. “I also have a very good rapport with the principals of all the secondary and primary schools in the entire territory. I also send out letters telling all of the principals what the BVI Tourist Board does and how we can facilitate them in any way possible with presentations, field trips, work experience, various competitions that we host here at the BVI Tourist Board,” she said.

Life’s twist

In the midst of her undergraduate studies, Penn suffered what she described as a setback - becoming an expectant mother. “Having [my son] made me realise that I have to move forward and push to complete my degree to set a better life for him and even as an example for him so he could have someone to look up to. Having him helped me to be more responsible and mature and helped me to grow as an individual,” she said.

Noting that she will complete her Master’s in June 2017, she said that while it is indeed a challenge to juggle so many responsibilities, proper balance is the key and this is what she has been able to do.

She said her biggest goal now is to become a Human Resources Director, be it in the public or private sector.

Advice to youth

“What I would say to our young people is that anything you want to accomplish it is ok to accomplish it. Everybody deserves a chance and if you put your mind to something it can be done. Don’t ever think for a second that whatever you want to accomplish is not doable...anything is doable,” she said.

18 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Natalie N. Penn”

  • A.S.P.S (13/05/2016, 08:39) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    You go girl!
  • west (13/05/2016, 08:44) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    she has come a long way, I a proud of you Ms. Penn
  • wize up (13/05/2016, 09:56) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    yea Alex!!!!
  • Proud (13/05/2016, 10:15) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Way to go Nat!!!
  • Love (13/05/2016, 10:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a teacher in the primary sector I love this article, and what it entails.
    Keep up the excellent work Miss Penn.
  • i from here (13/05/2016, 11:01) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well done Natalie! I love her personality.
  • Solo (13/05/2016, 12:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well done Nat.... Tourist board's finest!!!!
  • Captain (13/05/2016, 13:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    wonderful article befitting an equally wonderful person. Keep up the god work
  • i from here (13/05/2016, 13:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    kudos girl on making vino keep your head up
  • Relative (13/05/2016, 15:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea Cousin, keep striving for excellence.
    You were born a Star, keep shining
  • Primary V Teacher (13/05/2016, 21:00) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    You made my day, Natalie! I admire how you have blossomed in such a charming young lady. Go as far and as high as you are able to. The sky is the limit and you've got potential. Remember to give God thanks and let him continue to lead you.
    It is so good to see you giving back to the community even at such a young age. Just to read this article makes me feel rewarded. God bless you!
  • Jules Winnfield (13/05/2016, 23:48) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    grl you reah on VINO you made it big time keep smiling you are indeed a professional lady
  • facts (14/05/2016, 20:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    She is such a pleasant young women congratulations on being selected Natalie
  • Will smith (15/05/2016, 07:46) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Girl you so fine i wish i could plant you and grow a whole field of ya'll
  • Nobody (17/05/2016, 17:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nat Nat
  • Nat P. (18/05/2016, 06:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is a pleasure to read your name here as a young professional, I already knew that but it is good that others are able to. Keep up the good works Nat and just like what you told the students that they can do anything they put their mind to and so can you. God's blessings to you and your entire family. Xoxoxoxo.


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