Christel House Jamaica is thrilled to announce Taneshia Stoney Dryden as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Dryden brings over 14 years of significant leadership in grant writing, community development, and project management, most recently serving as the CEO of United Way of Jamaica. She holds an MSc in Sociology with a specialisation in social policy and development from the University of the West Indies, Mona, and is a certified master trainer in capacity building for public and private sectors.

“I see myself in every child at Christel House,” Dryden shared. “Having experienced education as my own vehicle for upward social mobility, I’m excited to lead our committed team in expanding life-changing opportunities for our students and communities.”

This leadership appointment is particularly impactful as Christel House Jamaica’s first cohort of students prepares to matriculate to high school, a critical expansion of the school’s reach and influence. Since opening in 2020, Christel House Jamaica has quickly garnered a strong partnership with the Ministry of Education. The Ministry is actively engaging with Christel House’s innovative practices, such as targeted attendance protocols and integrated literacy programmes, as scalable models for broader educational reform.

A noteworthy partnership with Creative Language Based Learning, a Jamaica-based literacy non-profit, has elevated Christel House Jamaica into a literacy training hub, benefiting educators and students regionally. Additionally, Christel House Jamaica has rolled out its student-centred leadership programme, empowering students to nominate and mentor their peers, fostering essential leadership qualities from an early age.

Parent involvement also stands out at Christel House Jamaica. Recent parent-led initiatives, such as community beautification projects, underscore a unique model of engagement, prompting Christel House International (CHI) to incorporate community-focused activities into their global parent programmes. Furthermore, tailored interventions addressing student behavioural challenges and parent relationships have created an inclusive school environment. This is supported by a newly launched anti-bullying initiative which includes students, parents and teachers trained as Bullying Prevention Officers.

Christel House Jamaica is the newest within Christel House International’s global network of schools. David Harris, CEO of Christel House International, remarked, “Stoney’s leadership aligns perfectly with our mission to empower students from underserved communities to achieve upward economic mobility, become responsible citizens, and realise their full human potential. Her deep local roots and proven capabilities will undoubtedly propel Christel House Jamaica into a promising new chapter.”

Dryden officially assumes her role 1 July 2025, bolstered by strong support from the Christel House Jamaica Board and the international Christel House network.

About Christel House Jamaica: Opened in 2020, Christel House Jamaica (CHJ) is a non-profit, tuition-free school that removes the barriers to education for students who come from some of the toughest and most underserved communities in St. Catherine. Located in Twickenham Park, Spanish Town, Christel House Jamaica is transforming the lives of children experiencing poverty through a holistic approach. By adding transportation, breakfast and lunch, books and supplies, uniforms and more Christel House Jamaica is providing students with the tools to move seamlessly from the classroom to life.

The school serves more than 400 students from Kindergarten through Grade 6 within an 8-mile radius of the school, with the first Grade 7 class starting in August 2025. It will grow organically, enrolling sixty (60) Kindergarten students each year until full capacity of 840 students (through Grade 13) is achieved in 2031.

About Christel House International: Christel House International (CHI) is a global nonprofit organisation dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for children from underserved communities. With a presence in five countries, Christel House builds and runs schools that provide sustained, comprehensive support—including rigorous academics, nutrition, healthcare, counselling, family engagement, and career coaching—from early childhood through career success. All offered at no cost to students. Our proven 18+ year model empowers students to achieve upward economic mobility, creating lasting change for entire families and communities.