Virgin Gordian Ms. Sasha D.A. Flax has been appointed as an Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development (MTC&SD). Photo: Team of Reporters

Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development (MTC&SD) is under the Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and the Acting Permanent Secretary in the same Ministry is Mr. Joseph Smith-Abbott. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

With many years of experience in tourism, leadership, and community engagement, Ms. Flax’s extensive background makes her well-suited to this vital role in shaping the future of the territory's tourism, culture, and sustainable development sectors according to our research.

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Flax served as Private Secretary to the Deputy Governor in the Deputy Governor’s Office from May 2023 to August 2024.

A productive career

From March 2019 to April 2023, Ms. Flax served as the Sister Island Programme Coordinator in the Deputy Governor’s Office. In this role, she was a driving force behind various public relations, communications, and development initiatives aimed at enhancing community resilience and stakeholder engagement on the sister islands of Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost van Dyke.

Her work involved constant dialogue with government officials including elected representatives, community members, and key stakeholders, identifying areas of improvement, coordinating interventions, and leading island-specific development projects.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Flax was the Business Development Manager at the Department of Trade from January 2017 to February 2019.

Private sector experience

The new Assistant Secretary in the MTC&SD also comes with private sector experience. She was the Operations Manager of The Rock Café, Club Ecstasy, and The Tree House Restaurant. Ms. Flax, according to our research, graduated from Johnson & Wales University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Travel-Tourism & Hospitality Management.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, the Assistant Secretary has coordinated events like Christmas in Spanish Town and the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival and has chaired the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Committee from 2014 to 2017, among other roles on Virgin Gorda. She has also been the President of the Civil Service Association since 2019.

The MTC&SP is under the Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and the Acting Permanent Secretary in the same Ministry is Mr. Joseph Smith-Abbott.