Vashun Blanchette

Biography

Let’s get a little candid, tell us something that caught you by surprise or you least expected after you became a manager.

One of the main adjustments since becoming a manager has been finding the appropriate balance between focusing on my own tasks while also being available and supportive of the needs of my team members. 

Give us a snapshot of your career from when you graduated to now. What career pathway did you choose to pursue and why?

I completed the GTP and spent six years in the Financial Stability and Research Department before joining the Supervision (Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF)) Department in 2018. The work within the AML/ATF Department allows me to apply my analytical skills and interact with stakeholders across the Authority. 

How did the BMA support your professional growth?

The BMA has been very supportive of my professional growth over the years. This has included financial support for professional development, designations and opportunities to travel overseas to represent the Authority. 

What additional learning opportunities or special projects has the BMA made available to you and which one was most memorable?

The six months spent at the International Association of Insurance Supervisors as part of the GTP secondment is a definite highlight! More recently, the opportunity to attend the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Plenary in Trinidad was very insightful and reinforced the significance of the work being carried out at the Authority. 

If applicable, what roles have you held at the BMA and how long did it take to become a manager?

I spent 11 years as a Senior Analyst across two Supervisory Departments (Financial Stability and Research and AML/ATF) before becoming a Principal in the AML/ATF Department in July 2023.

If applicable, how have you applied what you learned from your manager to how you manage your team?

I have learned several things from managers over the years. Most importantly, the significance of softer skills, such as effective communication and empathy. I have also acquired various technical skills, all of which are underpinned by attention to detail. 

If applicable, what transferable skills have prepared you to manage your team?

Subject matter knowledge, effective communication (both verbal and written), time management and prioritisation and rapport-building. 

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