About the caribeat team

We're Proudly Caribbean-American and Black-Owned

About CariBeat

Owned by Luis and Monique McSween from Trinidad and Tobago, CariBeat is the leading Caribbean Travel, Tourism, and Lifestyle Company in the US. Based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, since 2008, CariBeat delivers extraordinary Culinary Cultural Tours, Aviation and Airline Consulting Services, Destination Marketing Services, and the Negotiation and Management of Cultural Cooperation Agreements between countries, as well as Caribbean-style events, culinary products décor and apparel to clients globally. CariBeat is also the exclusive agent in the US and Canada for the world’s largest touring and most awarded steel orchestra, bp Renegades Steel Orchestra. Full details on CariBeat are available on CariBeat.com, CariBeatTravel.com, and RhythmandSteelTour.com.

EXPLORE THE FULL RANGE OF CARIBEAT'S EXTRAORDINARY CARIBBEAN STYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Luis V. McSween, President

Named one of the "Best Executives to Work For in America", Luis has served as Director - Latin America and the Caribbean, Customer Service, Flight Operations, and Crew Scheduling, for more than 20 years, for one of the largest commercial airlines in the US. Luis brings his vast experience in senior leadership to spearhead major projects for CariBeat's private and public sector clients. Luis is a Commissioner on Maryland Governor Wes Moore's Commission on Caribbean Affairs.

Monique M. McSween, Chief Executive Officer

A Strategic Communications and Public Engagement Executive, Monique has served as Special Advisor on Communications and Public Engagement to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; Vice President of Communications, Meridian International Center; and Deputy Director of Strategic Development and Public Engagement for the Government of the District of Columbia, among other senior leadership positions. Monique provides strategic oversight to CariBeat's daily operations and spearheads marketing and communications.

Nadine Johnson, Global Head of Destination Marketing

Nadine is a Strategic Communications and Marketing Executive with more than 20 years of experience in advertising, marketing management, sales, and brand development, and vast leadership experience in the Destination Marketing Arena. Nadine held key positions at both the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago and Tourism Trinidad Limited and has served as the lead project manager for several strategic brand-building events in Trinidad and Tobago. Nadine has also worked in both the USA and Trinidad and Tobago in diverse industries, including Tourism, Retail, Healthcare, Academia, and Advertising, and she has managed leading brands in both regions, including Nestle, Kraft, Lancome, Macys, Unicomer, Courts, Courts Optical, Ashley Furniture. Additionally, Nadine has deep expertise in continuous process improvement, strategic planning and execution, stakeholder engagement, team leadership and mentoring, cross-functional collaboration, policies and procedure compliance, and complex problem resolution. Nadine holds a Master of Arts in International Studies (with a specialization in Economic Development and International Marketing) from Florida International University; a Bachelor of Science in Advertising; and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas. She has also received training in Master Classes for Event Management and Protocol. Nadine is also fluent in Spanish and French.

Gabriel J. Christian, General Counsel and Senior Advisor

Gabriel J. Christian, Esq. is principal of the law firm Gabriel J. Christian & Associates, LLC, in Bowie, Maryland. A native of Dominica, Mr. Christian studied law at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, graduating with the degree of Juris Doctor in 1991. Mr. Christian was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1991 and is also a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. Mr. Christian has distinguished himself as one of Maryland's top attorneys and as a Caribbean community leader in the Washington DC metropolitan area, as well as an active civic leader in Maryland. In December 2023, Governor Wes Moore appointed Mr. Christian to the Governor's Commission on Caribbean Affairs. In 2007, Gov. Martin O’Malley, governor of the State of Maryland, appointed Mr. Christian to the position of Judicial Commissioner, Maryland Court of Appeals.

Alongside his long-time collaborator and co-founder of Pont Casse Press, Canadian Judge Irving W. Andre, Mr. Christian has authored and co-authored a number of books on Caribbean history, society and politics: In Search of Eden: Dominica, The Travails of a Caribbean Mini-State (1992); Rain on a Tin Roof (1999): In Search of Eden: Essays on Dominican History (2002). Death by Fire: The Explosive Story of the 1963 Carnival Tragedy (2007); For King & Country: The Service & Sacrifice of the Dominican Soldier (2008); For King & Country: The Service & Sacrifice of the British West Indian Soldier (2009); Mamo! The Life & Times of Dame Mary Eugenia Charles (2010).

Desiree Piercy, Head of Destination Marketing - Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean

With more than 20 years of experience in the field of advertising, marketing, and communications, Desiree leads Destination Marketing for Trinidad and Tobago and other countries throughout the Caribbean region. Desiree's vast agency experience means that clients have the benefit of expertise in the entire strategic communications value chain, as they promote myriad aspects of their destination's unique value proposition, including Eco-Tourism, Culinary-Cultural Tourism, Meeting and Event Tourism, and Sports Tourism to lucrative markets around the world.

Sasha Maharaj, Destination Events & Communications Manager

Sasha brings over five years of Marketing experience to this new role with a dynamic background in the retail and tourism sectors. She has honed her skills in Digital Marketing, Media, and Advertising in crafting compelling marketing campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences, and most recently served in the Marketing Department at Tourism Trinidad Limited. As an aspiring Attorney at Law, she brings a keen legal mind to her marketing endeavors, ensuring compliance and ethical practices in all business activities. Having lived and studied in India and visited over twenty-five countries, her passion for travel is not only a personal interest but a valuable asset in understanding and connecting with a broad range of cultures as well as to create culturally resonant content.

Sasha’s academic qualifications include a BSc in International Relations (Hons.) and MSc Global Studies (Dist.) from The University of the West Indies, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of London (Hons.) and is currently enrolled in the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, London. Her multifaceted experience and educational background uniquely position her to bridge the gap between marketing strategy, legal and diplomatic considerations and global perspectives making her an invaluable asset in today’s interconnected business landscape.

Malva McSween, Fashion & Culinary Design Director

With more than 20 years of experience in the global hospitality industry, Malva brings a unique approach to CariBeat's culinary designs. She has served at senior levels in the international airline industry and brings a strong sense of cultural acuity to all projects. Malva is a Certified Stylist with accreditation to the International Association of Style Coaches. With that mastery of style and design, her team consistently exceeds the expectations of clients by innovatively infusing the dynamic and exotic culture of the Caribbean into culinary designs for corporate, government, and private events. Malva also spearheads CariBeat's culinary-cultural education programs for seniors, adults, teens, and kids and has earned rave reviews for programs delivered in the DC metro area.

Rhea Smith, Media Relations and External Affairs Manager

Based in New York, Rhea is a renowned publicist with vast experience and deep expertise in media relations, government affairs, and community engagement. Rhea has worked closely with renowned artistes and stakeholders in the Caribbean Event and Entertainment Industry, including Machel Montano, The Mighty Sparrow, David Rudder, Freddie McGregor, Barrington Levy, Mr. Vegas,

dancehall legend - King Yellowman, and Freddie Jackson. Rhea's vast list of international client relationships include Le Ballet National du Senegal, St. Petersburg Ballet, Dance Cuba, and Tango Flamenco. Rhea's government projects include projects for the NYC Council, U.S. Congress, Brooklyn Borough President, and NY Daily News 2013 Mayoral Debates and 2022 NY Mayoral race. Rhea also shares strong collaborative relationships with key community-based organizations including the Caribbean Cultural Center of New York and the West Indian American Day Carnival Association NY (WIADCA).

Jonathan Doku, Head of Destination Marketing - the United Kingdom and Europe

Jonathan spearheads destination marketing in the United Kingdom and several European countries, and leads event planning and management, as well as advertising and promotions, for Caribbean countries seeking to expand their reach throughout Europe. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, as well as English, Jonathan has traveled extensively and has deep expertise in business development in Mozambique, Spain, Australia, Scotland, and several other countries through Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.

Christopher Tuning, Director of Merchandising

Christophers’ journey into the world of travel began in his cradle, as his parents, both seasoned professionals in the airline industry, whisked him onto planes since he was a mere two weeks old. Growing up amidst the bustle of airports and the thrill of exploring diverse locales, Christopher developed

an insatiable passion for travel and a profound appreciation for the intricacies of the traveler’s experience. Fueled by his love for wanderlust and a keen eye for detail, Christopher embarked on a mission to elevate the travel experience for others. He delved into a journey of innovation, pioneering groundbreaking designs for travel goods and securing patents for his visionary creations. This vision culminated in the inception of Autopilot, an esteemed American luxury luggage and travel goods brand. At the helm of Autopilot, Christopher channels his inventive spirit into crafting innovative solutions for travelers. As the mastermind behind the Skycap, a revolutionary baseball cap carrier, he seamlessly marries style with functionality, a testament to his ingenuity and commitment to elevating the travel experience. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Christopher is a multifaceted individual with a deep-seated passion

for sports, fashion, and hip-hop culture. His impeccable design sensibilities have garnered recognition from renowned brands such as New Balance, Porsche, Maker’s Mark, Courvoisier, HBO, NBPA, and Basil & Hayden, solidifying his status as a trailblazer in the world of design.

Alison Herbert, Audio Visual Director

Alison brings more than 15 years of experience in field of Audio-Visual Direction to CariBeat. A seasoned project manager, with vast expertise in private and public sector project management, Alison is committed to ensuring that CariBeat's clients have the highest quality multi-media productions for destination events, concerts, shows, corporate conferences, and meetings. Alison holds a BSC in Business Management from Trinity University, as well as several certifications in finance, accounting, and project management.

Samora Christian, Director of Hospitality and VIP Liaison

Samora Christian is based in Prince George’s County MD (with roots in the island of Dominica). Samora’s background includes retail merchandising, customer service management and entrepreneurship. Samora led Hospitality Services and served as VIP Liaison for World Champions bp Renegades Steel Orchestra's Rhythm and Steel Tour in December 2023. She has a deep love and appreciation for Caribbean culture and understands the importance of the CariBeat's mission to elevate the Caribbean region.