Historic First: NLA Appoints Female Chairperson, Signals New Era of Governance 

By Val Matthias. Updated 5:06 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

The National Lotteries Authority (NLA) has entered a new chapter in its history with the appointment of Mrs. Luann Hadaway as its first female Chairperson since the Authority’s establishment in 1984. 

According to a press release issued by the NLA, this milestone was marked at the inaugural board meeting held on March 5, where Mrs Hadaway and her newly appointed team pledged to strengthen governance, transparency, and national development impact.

Mrs Hadaway, a seasoned professional with nearly four decades of experience in banking, finance, and regulatory compliance, emphasized in her opening remarks that the lottery is “more than games and numbers. It is a public trust. It represents hope, opportunity, and national development.” She said that all lottery revenues must be managed responsibly, with 80 percent allocated to sports and culture and 20 percent directed to education, health, and community projects.

Mrs Hadaway also reminded members that public confidence is “earned slowly and lost quickly,” stressing the importance of confidentiality, accountability, and professionalism in all board deliberations. The Board committed to clear rules, strong financial oversight, transparent reporting, and social responsibility as guiding principles.

The new Board includes Deputy Chair Bryan Alexander and directors Olson James, Teressia Bruce, Delisia Charles-Defreitas, Sheena Child, and Esteban Hernandez. Together, they bring expertise spanning accounting, project management, HR, finance, and administration.

Their collective mandate is to provide oversight, set clear direction, and ensure responsible gaming practices while working alongside long-serving General Manager Mr. Sealey and the dedicated NLA staff. 

Mr. Murray Bullock served as Chairman of the National Lotteries Authority up until late 2025.

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