As the Director of State-Federal Relations and Washington Representative for the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, Teri Helenese plays a pivotal role in policy development and advocacy. She skillfully champions Governor Albert Bryan Jr’s priorities, leveraging her deep understanding of policy formulation, powerful advocacy, and wide-reaching collaboration to drive meaningful change. From securing significant funding to pioneering initiatives for student support, affordable housing and economic development, her work spans a wide array of critical areas, contributing to the prosperity of the Virgin Islands.

Beyond her pivotal role, Teri’s contributions extend to boosting tourism and sports, enhancing public safety through technology partnerships, inspiring future leaders in STEM, and increasing homeownership opportunities. Her efforts not only represent a commitment to immediate community needs but also lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and resilience in the Virgin Islands. Discover more about Teri’s diverse achievements and ongoing projects  [here].

Teri is deeply committed to fostering a thriving economy that uplifts the entire Virgin Islands community. Her dedication stems from a lifetime of preparation, blending early life experiences, academic accomplishments, and a nearly three-decade professional journey. As the Director of State-Federal Relations and Washington Representative for Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr., she leverages her rich background to bridge economic gaps and uncover new opportunities throughout the Virgin Islands. Her mission is fervently dedicated to advocating for the well-being of Virgin Islanders, covering a range of areas, including the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS), Caribbean Community (CARICOM), rum cover-over initiative, housing, technology, education, labor, health, tourism, and other key policy areas.

Her expertise extends to corporate sponsorship, marketing communications, strategy and operations and HR leadership, drawing from her dedication to life-long learning and professional development. This fortitude allows her to bring a unique blend of strategic vision, leadership, and expertise to every endeavor. Teri believes in investing in high-performing employees and providing them with the necessary tools and autonomy to excel. This approach, rooted in her strategic vision and leadership, reflects her dedication to making a meaningful impact and nurturing professional growth within the community.

Teri is married to Alexander DeAbreu. They have two intelligent girls, Gabrielle and Crystal DeAbreu. Gabrielle graduated with honors from Virginia Tech University and is a top performer at one of the world’s premier technology companies. Crystal will graduate from high school with honors in May and has accepted her offer to study engineering at George Washington University.

Her dad, Arnold Helenese, moved from Trinidad to St. Croix as a young man. Starting from scratch, he worked diligently to become an engineer, embodying the essence of determination. Similarly, Teri’s aunt Eastlyn, who had a long career at Scotiabank in Sunny Isle and managed to cook family dinners every evening, demonstrated unwavering tenacity. Teri’s mom, Carol, broke barriers as one of the first Black flight attendants at TWA, advancing her way to a director position, exemplifying resilience and ambition.