Our Young Professional this week is 26 year old Nekeeda J. Richardson, Corporate Administrator at Intertrust Corporate Services (BVI) Limited and an aspiring Financial Analyst and Corporate Lawyer. Photo: Provided

Relaxing after work. Photo: Provided

Nekeeda horseback riding in Hawaii. Photo: Provided

Graduation Day at the University of Central Florida. Photo: Provided

The young graduate of the University of Central Florida. Photo: Provided

Nekeeda doing a fashion shoot for UMI. Photo: Provided

The ambitious young woman was born in St Thomas, United States Virgin Islands (USVI) to parents Tyrone E. “Smiley” Richardson and Glance E. Richardson who are from Tortola, Virgin Islands.

Nekeeda describes her early childhood as “awesome.” “I was blessed to have two loving parents that really took time to care for and nurture me,” she told this news site.

“I remember my dad used to take me to work with him by the garage or when he often had to perform trucking services. I really enjoyed driving around with him in those dump trucks, even though at times my grandmother would say to him ‘Smiley, do not carry that child with you in that big truck!’ but he would still take me anyway. I was such a tomboy hence why I loved it when my dad would pick me up after school and kept me until my mom was finished with work,” she fondly remembers.

She said that Sundays were reserved for the family. “Sundays were known as family fun day. After we attend church we would always go to the beach, sightseeing or do some other fun filled activity,” she said.

Our Young Professional loved the stage when she was younger. “I started my stage appearances from the tender age of three. I remember being in participating in baby shows, being part of a ballet dance group, modeling group and also in a dance group at the Road Town Baptist Church. From that tender age, I loved dancing and performing arts,” she said.

“All in all, I would say that I really had a fruitful childhood. My parents were never too busy to spend quality time with me and also ensured that I was very active in social activities and exposed to other cultures by travelling frequently,” she recalled.

Nekeeda started her pre-school education at Venetta’s Pre-school which laid her foundation for her future educational endeavours. “I graduated from there as Valedictorian of the very first graduating class of the school. I then attended the Road Town Seventh-Day Adventist School, where I ranked as the Top Student in all of my classes until I left that school after Class One,” she said.

Due to relocation of residence, she transferred to the Enis Adams Primary School where she continued to rank Top Student in all of her classes. “I later graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 2000 with a Grade 1 Certificate,” said Nekeeda.

Following her graduation from primary school, she attended the then BVI High School where she majored in Accounting during her senior years. Her favourite subject areas were Mathematics, Music and Science.

“Throughout my high school years I believe I was basically in almost every activity known at the time and still maintained high honours until I graduated as a proud member of the amazing Class of 2005,” she said.

“I was a member of the BVI High School Dance Club, New Life Baptist Church Dance Group, N.L.B.C Jabez Teens Youth Group, Steel Pan Band and Choir as a leader and choir director; and the BVI High School Jr., Senior and at one point Fungi Band as a percussionist,” she said.

“After high school, I attended the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College where I obtained an Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration in 2007. I then furthered my studies at Jacksonville University but later transferred to the University of Central Florida where I became a proud Knight and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance in 2013,” she said.

“My college years were filled with the most amazing memories. From tailgating to attending many football games to hanging out and making priceless memories with new friends I met as well as fellow Virgin Islanders,” Nekeeda recalled.

She however plans to continue her studies. “I definitely plan to undertake further studies. I am currently preparing to start taking the necessary steps to obtain my S.T.E.P Qualifications and plan on acquiring my Master’s Degree,” she said.

According to the young woman, from a young age her parents instilled in her that education is one of the many keys to success.

“I have always been surrounded by successful, hardworking, and educated people, including my parents, that have always inspired me to be the best in whatever I do which fueled that drive in me. In this world beauty without brains is like a vehicle without gas, you go nowhere and so failure has never been and will never be an option in my eyes,” she boldly declared.

“For those that are in school or have left, I would advise them to continue get as much education as possible because you can never learn too much. But at the same time, I would also encourage them to get as much experience out in the working world too because they go hand in hand,” said our Young Professional.

She said that for those who are deciding on a career, they should consider what it is they really have a passion for. “Think about all of your strengths and weaknesses before you decide which career path you would like to pursue. Remember there is no right or wrong choice and that you can always change your career if you please,” she advised.

Asked what were some of the greatest concerns for her community and how she believed she could address them, our Young Professional said her concern was for the youth.

“I am always concerned about the youth in our community, not only about what they’re doing but how they carry and present themselves to others. I am especially concerned about our young women and their self-worth,” she said.

“I try to address these concerns by trying to be a mentor to the younger kids that are around me, whether in my church or even family members. However, I know there is so much more I can do on a larger scale and that is one of my goals in life,” she said.

“I am also becoming very interested in working with women and children who suffer from abuse as I have noticed that this is an ongoing problem in our community that only seems to be getting worse with time,” declared the young woman.