Vincentian named among top 20 women entrepreneurs worldwide to look out for in 2025

The prestigious New York Times has named Vincentian Dr. Jacqueline James-Lyttle, the wife of international Soca star Kevin Lyttle, among the top 20 women entrepreneurs worldwide to watch in 2025.

The Times’ NY Weekly Magazine describes Miami-based Dr. James-Lyttle as “the embodiment of unrelenting power, a visionary force redefining excellence across academics, athletics, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and global leadership.

“Born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, she defied the odds to become the first Black female engineering graduate from the United States Coast Guard Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering,” the publication states.

“Not content with rewriting history in academia, she became a two-time All-American scholar-athlete, cementing her dominance on and off the field,” it adds.

The publication says that Dr. James-Lyttle’s ascent continued at the University of Miami, where she secured a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Civil and Architectural Engineering “while driving groundbreaking research in energy efficiency and sustainability.”

The magazine says Dr. James-Lyttle shattered glass ceilings as an academic, “paving the way for future innovators.”

At the United States Coast Guard Academy and the University of Miami, it says Dr. James-Lyttle excelled as “a transformative educator, mentoring countless students and advancing the frontiers of sustainable engineering.”

The NY Weekly Magazine says her “trailblazing research, coupled with her leadership in fostering diversity, positioned her as a thought leader and role model in a domain historically resistant to inclusion.”

However, it says academia was “merely the launchpad for her unparalleled entrepreneurial reign,” stating that Dr. James-Lyttle built an empire, “founding IMARA Engineering Consulting, which evolved into GFD Group Miami, a powerhouse delivering premier architecture, engineering, design, and construction management services across the US and the Caribbean.”

The publication says Dr. James-Lyttle’s entrepreneurial genius “knows no bounds,” adding that she co-founded a music conglomerate with her husband, “leveraging their combined power to elevate Soca music.”

The magazine says the couple also launched VONZUU, “a revolutionary technology poised to surpass Uber as the go-to transportation and delivery platform in the Caribbean.”

It says her ventures span industries and continents, leading Global 27, Inc., specializing in sustainable luxury developments, and creating KidsVille, “an innovative facility transforming childcare and entertainment.”

NY Weekly Magazine says Dr. James-Lyttle has “reshaped industries with a ferocity few can match through strategic real estate investments, luxury property development, music business development, Architectural Engineering design-build, and restaurant ownership.

The publication says Dr. James-Lyttle’s “influence extends beyond business into the heart of global philanthropy,” co-founding the Janice Lyttle Foundation in “orchestrating multimillion-dollar initiatives to combat heart disease, provide disaster relief, and elevate community health.”

The magazine notes that when St. Vincent and the Grenadines were severely impacted by the 2021 volcanic eruptions and the devastation of Hurricane Beryl in 2024, Dr. James-Lyttle “mobilized resources and partnerships, delivering aid on an unprecedented scale.”

NY Weekly Magazine says Esther’s Promise, Dr. James-Lyttle’s initiative for empowering at-risk women, and her US board service with Recapturing the Vision “underscore her relentless commitment to creating a better world.”

It says her achievements have earned her “elite recognition, from induction into the Coast Guard Academy Hall of Fame to accolades as a humanitarian and trailblazer.”

Named one of Miami’s most influential Black women, NY Weekly Magazine says Dr. James-Lyttle is “revered by institutions and global networks alike, commanding respect as a titan in business, engineering, and philanthropy.”

It says, “Dr. Jacqueline Patricia James-Lyttle is not just an entrepreneur; she is a global force of nature.

“Her indomitable spirit and unparalleled vision place her at the pinnacle of power,” the magazine says.

“As a military veteran, academic pioneer, business leader, and philanthropist, she has broken barriers, built legacies, and inspired countless individuals, proving the boundless potential of resilience and leadership,” it adds.

Dr. Jacqueline Patricia James-Lyttle – a member of the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), The Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) and the Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) – told Caribbean Life on Monday that “the weight and true honor of being named one of the top 20 women entrepreneurs to watch in 2025 is still sinking in.

“To have this recognition come from The New York Times makes it even more profound,” she said. “My dreams are big, and I often keep my head down, focused on achieving them. But in moments like this, when I’m encouraged to pause and take in the results, the feeling is nothing short of surreal.

“I am deeply grateful; there is no greatness without gratitude,” she added. “I’m thankful for my village, my circle, and all those who have cheered me on.

“I’m also appreciative of those who have struggled to support me, as they unknowingly fuel my inspiration,” Dr. James-Lyttle continued. “The beautiful journey continues.”

The other women named in the top 20 entrepreneurs to look out for in 2025 are: Susan Oliver Heard, a GIA certified Graduate Gemologist, AJA, and Graduate Jeweler, mineral dealer, published writer, award-winning curator and two time award-winning jeweler; Meeri Koutaniemi, a Finnish freelance photographer, journalist, and visual artist, who has dedicated her career to human rights issues in over 70 countries; Jolie Jorie Marie, a visionary creator in the entertainment industry, celebrated for her dedication to projects that foster well-being and strengthen community bonds; Alessandra Haybittle, a Tampa-based marketing entrepreneur; Sherry Lou Canino, a passionate accountant, artist, writer and Holistic Trauma Healer; Shaleigha Wright, founder of Shay Photography, who has been a passionate professional in the photography industry for over 18 years; and Tamara Pack, MD, Ph. D, the cofounder of Synthetico, Inc., which is shaping the future of medicine and technology with profound impacts globally in the fields of gene therapy, pharmaceuticals, medicine, technology, and biodiversity.

Others are: Rachel Giordano, known as Producer Rachel, with over two decades of storytelling expertise, connecting audiences through television, radio, podcasts, and digital platforms; Alecia Achuff, an IFBB professional bodybuilder, Reiki practitioner, and mindset coach; Ilda Sampaio, a dedicated hairstylist since 2001 and a proud salon owner for nearly two decades; Sarah Goforth, a CEO of two companies and an alchemist and artist at heart; Ximena Garcia, the founder and director of Shamanflora, a world-renowned healing center in Peru specializing in transformational healing and plant medicine therapies; Yelda Yeldalni, the third-generation torchbearer of a family tradition rooted in Usak, Turkey, where her family has been producing Tarhana, a fermented and traditional Anatolian soup; Meghan Lee, the founder of Presence Media, a digital agency that supports visionary leaders in creating an online presence of impact while preserving their most precious resource, their state of presence; Sakinah Sharip, based in Singapore, a visionary leader and transformation catalyst with over a decade of experience in image mastery, personal branding, and professional development; Valessa Mesidor, a passionate healthcare provider, educator, and author dedicated to empowering women and addressing health disparities; Hailey Taylor, the CEO and founder of LEONA PRIDE, revolutionizing the skincare and wellness industry with her groundbreaking vision; Brianna Dunbar-DeMike, a results-driven entrepreneur, podcast host, and CEO with a proven track record of transforming innovative ideas into impactful businesses; and Sara Younes, a distinguished project management consultant and Ph. D researcher, has played a pivotal role in advancing Qatar’s infrastructure sector.

“In a world where innovation, resilience, and creativity drive success, women entrepreneurs are making waves across industries,” the NY Weekly Magazine says. “In 2025, a new generation of women leaders is redefining business norms, breaking barriers, and inspiring countless others to dream big.

“These trailblazers come from diverse backgrounds, bringing unique ideas and fresh perspectives to the table,” it adds. “The future of entrepreneurship is brighter and more inclusive, thanks to the remarkable contributions of these women leaders.

“Their journeys remind us that determination, passion, and vision can overcome any obstacle,” the magazine continues. “As they continue to innovate, lead, and inspire, they not only build successful businesses but also create lasting change in their communities and industries. Keep an eye on these exceptional women — they are not just shaping 2025; they are shaping the future.”