Carla James, executive director of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is currently in the United States participating on the US Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

She is taking part in a multi-regional project “Towards a More Safe and Secure World – Cooperative Efforts in Combating Transnational Crime” from April 13 to May 4.

Prior to being appointed Executive Director of the FSA in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), James was a Magistrate for two years in the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court and more recently, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

In her capacity as Director of the FIU, James consistently tackled the challenge of money laundering, leading the Civil Asset Recovery Division in a way that brought results. During the program, she and other participants will explore the role of law enforcement to detect, investigate, and prosecute various transnational crimes. She will also observe ways in which American policy makers and law enforcement agencies can collaborate with international partners to counter transnational threats; and explore initiatives that seek to identify and address root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of educational opportunities.

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. The program brings together emerging leaders in their respective professions to learn how US experts in their profession operate, and to share best practices with the other program fellows who hail from the same region and across the globe.