Paula Walcott-Quintin
chair
Paula Walcott-Quintin is a charter member of the LFU, first serving as Secretary of the Board for the first seven years and as Chair since 2015. Adept at fostering collaborative and strategic partnerships, her priorities include engaging the Diaspora in meaningful support for Linden and Region 10 and instituting transformative programs for residents in the local communities served by the LFU. Paula holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication. She is an Executive Communications Specialist, with more than 30 years experience in higher education.
Keith Semple
vice chair
Keith Semple has served as Vice Chair for more than 15 years. He is the the key Board liaison to the organization’s operations in Linden, and a former chair of the New Jersey Chapter. Keith has always been active in the labor movement, starting as the first recipient of a scholarship from the Guyana Mines Workers Union to attend Critchlow Labor College, where he graduated with a diploma in Industrial and Social Studies, to decades in the U.S. as a member and union organizer with the Transport Workers Union, retiring as an analyst with the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Samuel sampson
treasurer
Samuel Sampson serves as the Treasurer on the LFU Board. He is an independent entrepreneur in Brooklyn, NY, and an experienced financial services representative with over 30 years of experience in the industry. For the past several years, he’s used considerable experience as a member of the Board-level Finance Committee that is managed by the Treasurer. As Treasurer, his experience and expertise will continue to be of value to the organization. He holds an Associate of Science degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Technical Career Institutes.
Kadifa Greene Marshall
secretary
Kadifa Greene Marshall serves as the Secretary. She is an Entrepreneur and Marketing professional passionate about community development. Since 2022, she’s been a valuable LFU team member, first serving as a volunteer and then as the Director of Economic Development. In 2023, she successfully coordinated the organization’s first grant-awarded project funded by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, which is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. Kadifa graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Guyana.
Dr. Deon Anderson
board member
Dr. Deon Anderson, head of Water Quality at Guyana Water Inc., was among the first LFU scholarship awardees in 2003 as a top CXC student for Linden and Region 10. He earned a first degree in Chemical Engineering in Cuba, and every summer vacation, he volunteered with LFU’s youth summer enrichment program. He earned an MSc. in Water Engineering and a Ph.D. in Transformational Leadership, which he plans to effectively implement LFU’s vision to transform Linden & Region 10 as an ecotourism destination and economic hub and foster education, youth engagement, and overall development in every sector. An entrepreneur, Deon is the CEO of “Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours,” which showcases the local beauty of Linden.
Dr. Francine Brotherson
board member
Dr. Francine Brotherson uses her professional knowledge as a facilitator at the LFU’s annual Teachers’ Workshop. Her expertise is in early childhood development, and she shares this information with teachers attending LFU’s three-day yearly workshop. She has been training New York City teachers for over ten years. Francine has retired to Guyana but remains very committed to the vision and mission of the Linden Fund USA.
Lynette Baptist
board member
Lynette Baptist brings a wealth of management experience and board service in both Guyana and the U.S. A former General Superintendent of Community Services and Manager of the Communications Department at Guymine, Lynette’s deep connection to the Linden community is welcomed by the LFU Board. Lynette previously served in the Guyana Public Service in the departments of Community Development and Lands and Mines. In the U.S., the NYC Department of Transportation as Communications Manager and as Executive Director of the Citywide Concrete Programs. She holds a MPA from NYU and a BA in Anthropology, University of Massachusetts–Amherst.
Ele Cayana
board member
Ele Cayana is a global citizen, learning and teaching throughout the western hemisphere, and for the past seven years, at the high school and middle school levels in New York, Florida and Georgetown, Guyana. He’s in the process of pursuing a terminal degree in Higher Education Policy and Governance from Arka Jain University, India. Ele’s decision to remigrate and relocate to Linden is one of personal and professional significance. His passion project to create a CXC CAPE lesson program ties directly into his current Ph.D. studies. Ele is eager to share his passion and skills to assist LFU in its mission to make a difference in the lives of young people in Linden and Region 10.
Cheryl Blair-Kijewski
board member
Cheryl Blair-Kijewski is a founding member of LFU and has remained an enthusiastic champion of the organization since its inception in 1999. For four decades, she’s worked on behalf of the U.S. government, recently retiring as a Senior Appellate Attorney at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, DC. Cheryl has been a passionate advocate for inclusion throughout her professional career. As one of the earliest women of color and one of its few Certified Diversity Professionals at Labor, she mentored countless junior attorneys, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Cheryl earned degrees from Rutgers University and Georgetown Law.
Richard Seetram
New Jersey Chapter Chair
Richard Seetram serves as the New Jersey Chapter Chair. He is a Senior District Manager at CubeSmart with responsibility for 17 facilities. He earned a degree in Fire Science at John Jay University and is a certified Fire Safety Director. Richard received his secondary education at Multilateral Secondary School in Linden and worked at the Ministry of Works before migrating to the U.S. His association with LFU was inspired by his long-standing friendship with the late Godfrey “Ram” Richmond, who invited him to contribute to the organization’s annual Family Fun Day, where he is fondly recognized as the “grill master.” Although not a native Lindener, Richard acknowledges that the years he spent there profoundly shaped his character and fuel his commitment to service and giving back
Shona Wright-Halley
New Jersey Chapter
Shona Wright-Halley is the most recent former chair of the New Jersey Chapter, and prior to that served as the Secretary of the LFU Board for five years, maintaining organizational records and facilitating vital communication with LFU’s membership base. Shona earned a master’s degree in Literacy Education and has more than 20 years of K-12 classroom experience, winning the 2014 Teacher of the Year Award. Shona served in the United States Army Reserves as a Military Police Sergeant and Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps law clerk. She has also served on the executive boards of several parent teacher organizations.
Keeran Williams
Country Manager
Keeran Williams is LFU Guyana Inc. Country Manager. He is a born Lindener who attended Mackenzie High School and the University of Guyana. Keenan has over two decades of experience in Community Development that includes HIV/AIDS Counsellor, National United Nations Volunteer, Radio Presenter, Municipal Councillor, Community relations consultant. He is also an entrepreneur. Keeran is a father and husband and believes that Gratitude is everything.
Cheryl waithe
Country Manager
Cheryl Waithe joined the Linden Fund USA organization in 2018 and served as the Office Manager of the locally registered charity, LFU Guyana Inc., for seven years. A former employee of Habitat for Humanity Guyana, she is highly skilled in navigating the not-for-profit charity space and interacting with all levels of local government. Cheryl had overall responsibility for the management of operations, programs, and public relations in the community of Linden and Region 10 as it relates to the LFU Guyana Inc. and its parent organization, Linden Fund USA. Cheryl continues her commitment to the organization in her new role as Community Liaison.