Board of Directors
Heather Kitson Smale (President)
Heather is a dual-qualified lawyer (UK & Bermuda) and board director with over 25 years of executive leadership across global (re)insurance and financial services. As Founder and Chief Executive of Triangle-Eight Limited, she provides strategic advisory and executive resourcing solutions to regulated businesses navigating complex transitions.
Heather’s career includes Deputy CEO of Convex Re, General Counsel and Director of Aspen Re and Group General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer of Clarien Bank. She has also served as Group Company Secretary of an NYSE listed board and has held several NED roles.
As President of The Reading Clinic, Heather’s commitment is both professional and deeply personal. She is the granddaughter of the Clinic’s founder and the mother of a child with dyslexia who thrived through the Clinic’s program. Heather brings her experience building and transforming organisations to advancing the Clinic’s mission, to help ensure that children with dyslexia and neurodiverse learning needs have the opportunity to reach their full potential. She has also served on other charity boards with a focus on children’s education and domestic violence. She is on the We Speak Coaching Committee and is a UK refugee mentor.
Theresa Patricios
Theresa is a senior investment and risk professional and a qualified UK actuary with over 20years of experience in the reinsurance industry, spanning underwriting, pricing, actuarial, and investment disciplines. Her deep expertise across the reinsurance value chain provides her with a strong foundation to manage insurance company assets, with a nuanced understanding of asset-liability management, regulatory requirements, capital efficiency, and liquidity risk.
She joined Convex as Head of Investments, where she built the investment function from the ground up. Over the past five years, she has broadened her capabilities across investment strategy, asset allocation, portfolio construction, and manager oversight. In 2024, she transitioned into the role of Chief Risk Officer for Convex’s Bermuda office.
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Theresa spent 18 years in Zurich before relocating to Bermuda in June 2024. She is also a proud world record-holding ocean rower.
With her strong analytical and financial acumen, and a diverse range of experiences both within and beyond the corporate environment, TRC was pleased to welcome Theresa to the Board of Directors in March 2025. She brings valuable support to the treasury and finance operations and contributes meaningfully to TRC’s long-term strategic direction.
Dr. Shawnee Basden
Dr Basden completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Boston University. Currently, DrBasden works full-time at Solstice as the manager of adult mental health. In addition to having a full clinical practice, she also supervises other clinicians, teaches classes and engages in research. She has a number of publications and has given a number of presentations and talks.
Dr Basden has a particular interest in children’s health and has a great understanding of the impact of not addressing childhood difficulties. Dr Basden is excited and feels privileged to serve on The Reading Clinic Board and to be a part of TRC’s ambitious goals and objectives.
Sabrina Di Meglio
Sabrina Di Meglio was born and raised in Bermuda. She is an alum of Bermuda High School for Girls. Sabrina previously worked for the Department of Education as a Learning Support teacher for ten years and then made a career change to Human Resources in 2018. She initially worked in the HR department at Elbow Beach Hotel. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the hotel closed, and Sabrina joined the M.E.F. Ltd. group. Along with her Human Resources duties, she assists with compliance and is the privacy officer.
She joined The Reading Clinic Board of Directors in January 2024. She believes strongly in The Reading Clinic and values the services it offers to Bermuda. She is committed to ensuring The Reading Clinic continues to offer assistance to children in Bermuda at the highest quality.
Sabrina earned her Certificate in Company Direction from The Institute of Directors. She holds a Bachelor Degree and a Master’s Degree in special education from Miami University. Additionally, she holds the PHRi designation from HR Certification Institute.
Sabrina holds a Human Resource accredited certification from the HR Certification Institute has a Bachelor Degree and a Master’s Degree in special education from Miami University.
In her free time, Sabrina enjoys art, travelling, spending time with family and friends and reading a good book.
Louise Twiss West
Head of Banking, Corporate & Institutional Banking
HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited
Louise is Head of Banking for HSBC’s institutional business in Bermuda.
Louise joined HSBC in 2006, and has held client facing and management roles in Corporate Banking, Asset Management and Global Banking, as well as Corporate Development and Strategy. Prior to joining HSBC, Louise worked in management consultancy and technology firms in New York.
Louise graduated Cum Laude from Princeton University with an A.B. in English Literature, and holds an MBA from Columbia University and London Business School.
Louise is delighted to support The Reading Clinic’s mission as it combines her passions for reading and advocacy for neurodiverse students to receive the support they need to flourish.
Jason Taylor
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Jason and his family have called Bermuda home for the past 25 years. He has a professional background in Information Technology Management, with a focus on credit card processing and system management. Jason has two children, and the oldest participated in the TRC program. Jason says, “TRC was an incredible support for our family, and we’re deeply grateful for the impact it had on our child’s learning journey.”
Krista Barnes
“Krista is a strategic marketing and communications leader with over 20 years of experience across diverse business sectors. She is skilled in building brands, connecting with key stakeholders and crisis management.
Having experienced neurodiversity firsthand, she is passionate about supporting organizations that help children with learning differences. Her goal is to strengthen initiatives that provide these children with practical skills and belief in themselves, empowering them to succeed not just in school, but throughout their lives.”
Shweta Kulkarni
Shweta Kulkarni has a strong academic foundation, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2005) and a Master of Science in Childhood Education (2007) from Hunter College (CUNY), New York. Her teaching experience in New York City public schools has shaped her proficiency in curriculum development and individualized student support, ensuring meaningful learning experiences across diverse backgrounds.
Beyond the classroom, Shweta has contributed to education policy as an elected representative on the School Leadership Team of a NYC Gifted and Talented School, advocating for resources to supplement learning beyond solely classroom instruction. Her passion for education extends into philanthropy, where she has actively raised funds for non-profit organizations and demonstrating commitment to enriching communities and advancing educational opportunities.
David Dodwell Jr
Born and raised in Bermuda, David has spent almost 25 years in hospitality management. He initially worked in various locations in the US within the student travel industry, before ultimately transitioning back to a career in hotels. Eventually returning to the island in 2008, he has been the General Manager of The Reefs Resort & Club since 2017. He has experience in all areas of the hotel industry, from sales and marketing, operations, food and beverage and accounts. He is a member of the Bermuda Hotel Association Board of Directors and has collaborated with numerous agencies such as the Bermuda Tourism Authority with the aim to help drive and enhance Bermuda as a tourism destination.
He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from Colby College in Maine in 1998 and after 10 years working in the hospitality industry, subsequently earned a Masters of Management in Hospitality from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in 2008.
As a parent to two teenagers with learning differences, whose growth was directly aided from the support and resources provided by The Reading Clinic, David is extremely excited to be a member of the Board. He hopes he can help the Board continue to enhance the incredible benefits that The Reading Clinic provides to children with learning differences.
Erinn Hayward MSW, ICADC, CCS
Erinn Hayward holds a Masters of Social Work, is an International Certified Drug and Alcohol Counsellor (ICADC) and a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). Erinn has 25 Years’ experience in Human Service and is passionate about Best Practices, Ethics and Social Welfare Polices.
Erinn has held various post throughout her career which include; Substance Abuse Counsellor( Bermuda Youth Counselling Services) , Clinical Social Worker ( Department of Children and Family Services) , Clinical Manager ( Residential Treatment Services), Clinical Coordinator ( The Nelson Bascome Substance Abuse Center), Employee Assistant Counsellor ( Benedict Associates) and most recently School Counsellor at The Berkeley Institute.