As the new chairman of the National Carnival Commission (NCC), Lorraine Pouchet brings a wide range of experience and abilities that are well-suited to taking on the challenges that come with ensuring a progressive and successful Carnival 2015.
Succeeding Allison Demas as chairman, Pouchet leads a diverse board of commissioners in providing governance and oversight, as well as guidance on priority matters such as the regulation, co-ordination, and conduct of all Carnival activities throughout the country held under the aegis of the Government.
She intends to oversee the transformation of Carnival from an annual event into a sustainable industry, one that creates year-round employment and investment.
Prior to leading the NCC, Pouchet has operated in the T&T Tourism sector for more than 30 years. She is the current president of The T&T Incoming Tour Operators Association (TTITOA), and is the director of the T&T Coalition of Service Industries. She also serves on the Standing Committee for Policy Development of Sustainable Tourism in Trinidad, and has served as the chairman of the sub-committee for product development. Pouchet has also served as a board member of the National Entrepreneurship Development Company Ltd (Nedco), and has sat on their Human Resources and Promotions & Development committees. She has also been a long-standing member of the T&T banking community.
When Pouchet is not lending her wide range of expertise to state and non-governmental organisations and committees, she operates as the marketing director of In Joy Tours, a destination management company that she owns with her husband, Elton.
As a native of Woodbrook, pan, mas and calypso has been an integral part of her life for over 40 years. Her experience ranges from production to administration. Over the years, she has supported many steelbands, mas bands and calypsonians by working with them in the delivery of a top tier tourism product to locals and visitors alike.
A natural leader with strong entrepreneurial spirit and a proven record of transitioning strategy into action and achievement, Pouchet is a trained hospitality assured standards adviser by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), holds a diploma in Psychology & Counselling, and holds certificates in event management from The George Washington University, School of Business, the Green Globe 21 Ecotourism Standard, Tourism Marketing from the University of the West Indies, and Quality Enhancement for Education & Training from The National Training Agency.
Adding to her extensive list of professional and personal accomplishments, Pouchet is also a certified original pain therapist, specialising in workshops on inner healing, personal growth and self-development.
Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
I was born on Picton Street and grew up on Woodford Street (both in Newtown), with a short stint—from two to nine years old—in St Lucia.
At what schools/institutions did you receive your education, including elementary?
St Theresa’s Girls’ RC, Holy name Convent, Roytec, Niherst, UWI, Arthur Lok Jack.
What’s your vision of a perfect Carnival Monday and Tuesday?
Carnival represents a time of excitement and pageantry; it is a time when, as we celebrate freedom, we also pay homage to well-loved traditions, we enjoy and display ourselves for the world to see, and we do it all balanced with a sense of responsibility.
A perfect Monday and Tuesday, therefore, is one in which all Carnival enthusiasts can do these things in a safe and secure environment, and one in which all mas bands and masqueraders operate as seamlessly as possible along the parade route, with effective management and control, and minimal disruptions or backlogs.
How did you come to be appointed for the position of NCC chairman?
The Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism, Dr the Honourable Lincoln Douglas, had sight of my extensive career in the art fraternity, tourism sector, and my management ability, and when he invited me to serve as chairman of the board, I saw it as a unique opportunity to contribute positively to one of our nation’s most beloved and celebrated cultural traditions. And I embraced the opportunity to once again be of service to my nation.
What do you envision to be the favourite and least favourite part about your stewardship as NCC chairman?
I really do not have a least favourite. I thank God for every opportunity, and embrace all challenges and see them as learning curves, which make me realise I am only human.
I do have a favourite part, however, and it is being able to lead such an immensely talented, driven and committed board, management team and staff, as together we come up with creative and innovative ways to make the Carnival industry more relevant, marketable and attractive, not just for our citizens, but to our regional and international audiences.
It is exciting to think of the endless possibilities of the human imagination and the ingenuity of the people I work with and interact with, all of whom are the creative minds that make Carnival happen.
What challenges are you and your team facing for Carnival 2015?
At this stage, we are just inside of six weeks to Carnival, and the NCC board and management are working along with the security services to ensure that Carnival 2015 operates in a safe environment, with little or no disruptions.
I have already met with the Minister of National Security and other partners in the security service sector and I am reassured that safety is a paramount concern for all, and they are doing all in their power for us to have an incident-free season.
How would you like your post-analysis of Carnival 2015 to read?
Carnival 2015 should reflect an event in which all citizens can be proud of and the participants benefit through enjoyment of the experience. It should also signal a movement of all stakeholders to co-operate in a mature and forward-thinking manner with results that would resound to the benefit of all.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?
A Carmelite nun—Sr Helena Profiero—who passed away last year. She was my friend and mentor, and she introduced me to original pain therapy, a specialised area of psychology, some 26 years ago when she recognised that I possessed the gift of counselling. I went on to become certified as a therapist and counsel individuals, married couples and victims of trauma.
I also conduct workshops on self-development and inner healing. She was a humble and very wise person, and I miss her guidance and counsel. She impacted on my life in a very powerful way.
Do you play or have you played mas?
I have been involved in Carnival, specifically mas and steelpan for over 40 years. In fact, I have played with Mavericks, Wayne Barkley, Barbarosa, Spice, and countless other bands and have been involved at all levels from junior to senior administrative. Additionally, I have had intimate involvement in Silver Stars Steel Orchestra and worked with many other bands and cultural artistes to deliver the tourism product through the family business In Joy Tours.
What are your favourite calypso and soca songs of all time?
There are too many beautiful and infectious songs that have been produced over the years to have a favourite.
What is your favourite thing about Carnival?
At Carnival time, I marvel at the creativity, talent and skills of my countrymen, and I’m always in awe of how the celebration brings our people together. Carnival is unlike any other season, as it unites us and allows us the ability to see greatness in each other.
Anything else about Lorraine Pouchet that you would like our readers to know about?
What you see is what you get.
Which super power, if you could have, would you like to have and why?
To help people to learn to forgive—the past is gone, the future is a promise, all we have is the now.
Tell us about your inspiration to do the type of “work” you do.
I am a people person, and my inspiration is the Holy Spirit. As a Roman Catholic and a Christian, I make no decision about my life until I pray about it.
Whom do you admire most today and why?
My husband, Elton. He is a humble man with integrity and principles that are second to none. He is my soul mate.
What daily motto/credo do you live by?
Love unconditionally and accepting the truth that I am a spiritual being on a physical journey.
What is your greatest accomplishment to date, personally and professionally?
My family—my husband, my four amazing children, and my three gifted and talented grandchildren.
Do you pattern your work after any other person or people?
No. I am Lorraine, a unique creation of God, and I allow him to mould, guide and transform me through my life experiences.