Spanish Town, Jamaica – July 1, 2025 – Christel House Jamaica is proud to announce the appointment of Taneshia Stoney Dryden as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2025. As the newest leader of Christel House International’s youngest school, Dryden brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to transforming lives through education.

Dryden joins Christel House Jamaica after serving as CEO of United Way of Jamaica and brings over 14 years of leadership in grant writing, community development, and project management. She holds an MSc in Sociology with a specialization in social policy and development from the University of the West Indies, Mona, and is a certified master trainer in capacity building across the public and private sectors.

“I see myself in every child at Christel House,” Dryden shared. “Having experienced education as my own vehicle for upward social mobility, I’m excited to lead our committed team in expanding life-changing opportunities for our students and communities.”

Dryden’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Christel House Jamaica prepares to enroll its first high school students—marking a significant expansion in its reach and impact. Since opening in 2020, the school has built a strong partnership with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, which is exploring Christel House’s innovative approaches—such as targeted attendance protocols and integrated literacy programs—as scalable models for national reform.

A collaboration with CLBL, a local literacy nonprofit, has positioned Christel House Jamaica as a regional literacy training hub, while a new student-led leadership initiative is cultivating mentorship and civic engagement among students. Parent involvement also plays a central role, with families leading beautification efforts and helping shape a uniquely inclusive school culture. These community-focused strategies are now being considered for broader adoption across Christel House’s international network.

David Harris, CEO of Christel House International, noted, “Stoney’s leadership aligns perfectly with our mission to empower students from underserved communities to achieve upward economic mobility, become responsible citizens, and realize their full human potential. Her deep local roots and proven capabilities will undoubtedly propel Christel House Jamaica into a promising new chapter.”

Dryden’s leadership is backed by strong support from the Christel House Jamaica Board and the international Christel House network as the school continues to evolve as a model of transformative education in the Caribbean.

About Christel House International: Christel House International (CHI) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for children from underserved communities. With a presence in 5 countries, Christel House builds and runs schools that provide sustained, comprehensive support—including rigorous academics, nutrition, healthcare, counseling, family engagement, and career coaching—from early childhood through career success. All offered at no cost to students. Our proven 18+ year model empowers students to achieve upward economic mobility, creating lasting change for entire families and communities.

Media Contact: Kameka Clarke
Fundraising & Marketing Manager
Christel House Jamaica
Email: kclarke@christelhousejamaica.org
Phone: 876-728-7736 ext.1237