SSB appoints new Chair

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 4, 2026

   The Social Security Board (SSB) hosted an open day for the public at all its branches on Monday, June 1, and welcomed a new chairperson of the board—Sheree Smiling Craig, PhD, on Tuesday, June 2

   The board, in a public statement, thanked the outgoing chairperson, Mrs. Chandra Nisbet Cansino, for her dedicated service during her tenure, and for her steady hand at the helm as she guided the board with “a clear vision and a strong commitment to strengthening the institution and advancing its mission for the people of Belize.”

   The SSB also expressed confidence in Smiling Craig, who, it noted, “brings to this role a wealth of experience, professional expertise, and a strong commitment to public service.”  “We look forward to working under her leadership, as the Board continues to advance its strategic priorities, strengthen stakeholder confidence, and build on the solid foundation established by those who have served before her,” the SSB stated in its release.

   Smiling Craig served as Director of Project Management at the Central Bank of Belize since 2017, when the Central Bank introduced automated cheque processing. She also served as Strategic Senior Project Manager from June 2024 to December 2025, when she applied her expertise in digital financial services.

   In December 2017, she became an Adjunct Lecturer in the Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship at Galen University, specializing in Strategy Formulation and Implementation, and Operations Management to equip future business leaders with practical tools and strategic insights to drive organizational success.

   She also volunteered as a member of the Board of the Belize Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), where she helped with fundraising efforts and conducted exercise classes for women of the “Y”. Additionally, she assisted with the association’s most important fundraising activity, the Ms. “Y” pageant for seniors, and she was elected president of the YWCA in May 2012.