Michelle Donovan Stevens Named Strategy and Policy
The Government of the Virgin Islands has appointed Mrs. Michelle Donovan Stevens as the Strategy and Policy Development Lead in the Premier’s Office, placing her at the head of the Strategy and Policy Development Unit and central to policy planning, monitoring and evaluation across the public service (Government press release). The government’s latest release reiterates her remit, highlights the Territory’s commitment to advancing public officers, and was followed by coverage in local media including BVI News and Guavaberry.
The Government of the Virgin Islands this week announced the appointment of Mrs. Michelle Donovan Stevens as Strategy and Policy Development Lead within the Premier’s Office, naming her head of the Strategy and Policy Development Unit (Government press release). According to the government statement, Donovan Stevens will play a central role in strengthening and ensuring effective execution of public policy through planning, monitoring and evaluation aligned with the Premier’s Office strategic priorities.
Her remit includes co-developing policy interventions with government agencies and external partners, building and maintaining stakeholder partnerships, monitoring and evaluating progress on key initiatives, and scanning future trends to recommend forward-looking strategies that support the Territory’s long-term development (Government press release).
Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe, welcomed the appointment in the government release and in remarks carried by local outlets. As Stoutt Igwe told reporters, "Her extensive public service experience, as well as her policy, management and research skills, have already proven to be a tremendous asset to the Premier's Office in the area of governance reform." She added that Donovan Stevens "continues to provide valuable support to the ongoing monitoring of the governance reform action plan" (Government press release; BVI News).
Donovan Stevens, who has more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in the Public Service including roles as Director and Deputy Director of Human Resources, said she considers public service a privilege and was pleased to assume the post. In remarks carried by the Government and local media she said her primary objective is to establish and operationalise policies and strategies aligned with the National Sustainable Development Plan and the Governance Reform agenda. "As an ancestral Virgin Islander, I consider public service a privilege.
I remain steadfast, with the help of God, to making thoughtful and impactful contributions to our clients and this Territory," she said (Government press release; Guavaberry). Her academic and professional credentials include a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University, a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Education and Broadcast Journalism from Columbia College Chicago, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Studies from Manchester Metropolitan University.
She is a lecturer for the Chartered Management Institute, an accredited professional coach, and holds advanced qualifications in business management, public policy analysis and psychotherapy (Government press release; Guavaberry). The appointment was picked up by local media: BVI News published a dedicated story and image that broadened public visibility of the appointment beyond the official release, while Guavaberry echoed the government’s outline of expectations for the role and quoted key remarks from the Premier’s Office (BVI News; Guavaberry).
The Government’s announcement underscores an ongoing drive to strengthen the Public Service and build capacity in policy development and governance reform. The Government’s latest release also reaffirmed its commitment to the advancement of public officers and the Public Service, signalling that Donovan Stevens will be expected to support recovery, competitiveness, climate resilience and improved public-sector governance through stronger policy design, monitoring and implementation (Government press release).
Primary source: BVI Government