Five members of the public have joined the Centennial Bermuda Foundation’s Grant Review Committee.

The members will make recommendations for funding third-sector projects aligned with the organisation’s grant-making priorities.

Melissa Butler and Ibou Barry joined the review committee for applications relating to community health and fundamental needs.

Ms Butler is a pharmacist with a background in health services research and clinical practice and brings with her an international perspective on health challenges.

Mr Barry, a former board member of the Inter Agency Committee for Children, has experience in the needs of many of Bermuda’s essential services non-profits. He is the chairman of Pembroke Hamilton Club’s Technical Development Committee, assisting in the physical, educational and social development of student athletes and coaches.

Mr Barry brings experience in the fundamental needs of the community through his work as a volunteer.

Ricardo Graham-Ward is a chartered civil engineer working for IEPC Ltd as a civil/structural engineer and has experience in the area of economic participation. He has worked with the Government including for the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Economy and Labour on economic stimulus initiatives.

Mr Graham-Ward will work in several areas of Centennial’s community investment priorities including career advisement and readiness, workforce equity and workforce development.

Peter Goodall, the founder of online property website Property Skipper, and more recently Bermuda’s first mortgage brokerage, has a financial background and an understanding of entrepreneurial needs. He will support Centennial’s priorities in the area of financial and digital literacy, and in small business and entrepreneurship.

Carleen Place, the registrar at Bermuda College, previously worked for HSBC as its learning and development relationship manager. She will support Centennial’s economic participation priorities in career readiness, workforce equity and workforce development.

Allison Towlson, Centennial’s managing director, said: “We are honoured to welcome these community leaders to our hardworking Grants Review Committees. Their work with Centennial involves great dedication and a deep desire for meaningful, positive partnerships in our community.

“I also extend my gratitude to those who are stepping away from committees and I thank each of them for their contribution, and commitment to the community.

“Thank you to Dwight Robinson and Kelly Francis from the Public Education Review Committee, Chip Waters from the Economic Participation Committee, and Ronald Simmons and Dr Burton Butterfield from the Community Health and Fundamental Needs Committee.”

The names of all board, staff and review committee members are listed on Centennial’s website at www.centennial.bm/about