Spotlight Saturday: Cathrice Williams
Cathrice Williams, born and raised in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), distinguishes herself as a team-spirited, value-driven individual with a deep-rooted passion for selfless service. As a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in the industry, she serves as the Director of Information Technology at the TCI Financial Services Commission. Initially, Cathrice dreamed of becoming a secretary due to her love for typing, but financial constraints due to the passing of her father led her to seize a very timely opportunity to study IT—a decision that would define her career.
In her current role, Cathrice oversees a variety of responsibilities, from attending stakeholder meetings to collaborating with her team to meet departmental objectives. She speaks highly of her team, crediting them as the best she's worked with. In addition to her day-to-day activities, her passion for cybersecurity has been a driving force in her career, fueling her advocacy in public education on cybersecurity, especially among children. Cathrice emphasizes the importance of instilling a cybersecurity culture early, often taking the opportunity to speak on internet safety in schools.
Like everyone in the industry, Cathrice's journey has not been without challenges. Starting her career young and as the sole IT professional in her organization, she faced the daunting task of handling all IT issues and strategic planning alone. Lacking a mentor, she turned to self-education, becoming proficient with the help of online resources. Her determination and skills eventually earned her a seat at the management table, where she had to assert her value in a male-dominated environment. This experience not only honed her professional abilities but also instilled in her a lasting humility and adherence to ethical principles, including the golden rule from Luke 6:31 - “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Despite challenges over the years, what excites Cathrice most about her work is the ever-evolving nature of the IT industry, which offers endless learning opportunities.
Cathrice Williams is a shining example of a well-rounded professional. She is a Certified Information Security Manager, a Certified Cyber Risk Specialist, and the owner of Techprise Learning Solutions. She also serves as a youth leader and is deeply involved in her church and the TCI Junior Achievement Board. She enjoys capturing meaningful moments and integrates work, family, health, and spirituality, viewing them all as integral parts of her life. In her own words, “They are all important to me, and I make it my business to make time for them all.” She is truly a force to be reckoned with!
Cathrice always looks forward to Girls in ICT Day as it focuses on encouraging girls and women to pursue a career in IT. As someone who did not have a mentor at the beginning of her career, Cathrice is honored to be someone who other girls can look up to. For girls and women interested in IT, Cathrice offers a call to action: join her in breaking into and excelling in this field, proving that women can lead and innovate, often with a unique flair. To follow her journey, connect with Cathrice via LinkedIn and Instagram @techpriselearningsolutions, where she shares her passion and insights with a broader audience.
