BACI Steering Committee Election — Seat: REGULATION AND EDUCATION

REGULATION AND EDUCATION

Seat Purpose

The Chair of the Regulation and Education Committee is responsible for liaising with governments, regulators, and members on all new legislation or challenges in the jurisdiction. This role includes facilitating conversations and educating members on the rules and regulations in the Cayman Islands. Additionally, the Chair will lead quarterly meetings with the government and the regulator, facilitate all consultations, and organize quarterly roundtable discussions with Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). The Chair is also responsible for forming a subcommittee by selecting five additional members, subject to the final approval of the committee.

Confirmed Nominees

| # | Nominee | |---|---------| | 1 | Laura Birrell | | 2 | Sarah Howie | | 3 | Sarah Wheeler | | 4 | Daniel Parsons | | 5 | Ramona Tudorancea | | 6 | Kavita Maharaj‑Alexander | | 7 | Dean Walker | | 8 | Justin Wretham |

Nominee Details Below

---

Laura Birrell

• Bio
  Laura Birrell is the CEO & Co‑Founder of Parallel Limited, the first Cayman company licensed by CIMA as a VASP to handle crypto‑to‑real‑estate escrows. After a decade in property and corporate law she launched Parallel in 2021, giving digital‑asset holders a compliant path into Cayman property. In 2022 Parallel closed the islands’ first US$5 m home purchase paid entirely in cryptocurrency and now structures secure, regulated deals for global investors. She briefs policymakers on KYC, source‑of‑funds and travel‑rule hurdles for property transactions, speaks at Digital Cayman and Chamber events, and her compliance playbook is cited in multiple law‑firm guidance notes.
• Reason
  Running a licensed VASP gives me daily insight into CIMA expectations and the pain points firms face. As Chair I will publish step‑by‑step guides, host Q&A sessions with regulators and produce template documents so members can stay compliant—and grow.

---

Sarah Howie

• Bio
  Counsel in Conyers’ Regulatory & Risk Advisory team, Sarah advises VASPs, DAOs, NFT marketplaces, exchanges and custodians on Cayman licensing, AML, sanctions, travel‑rule and IP matters. She drafts CIMA applications, opinion letters and multi‑association consultation responses; recent work includes guiding a tier‑one exchange through Cayman expansion and several foundations through VASP registration. She sits on AIMA, CFAAR and CIRCA steering groups and is ranked a “Next Generation Partner” by Chambers Global and The Legal 500.
• Reason
  Practising Cayman regulatory law since 2019, I’ve helped shape the jurisdiction’s fast‑moving crypto framework. My CIMA network and consultation experience will let BACI issue clear policy feedback, publish plain‑English summaries and run a peer‑forum for real‑world compliance questions.

---

Sarah Wheeler

• Bio
  As CIMA’s former Head AML/CFT/Sanctions, Sarah led the group that created Cayman’s VASP registration regime, including its sector risk assessment, supervision manual and enforcement methodology, and oversaw the region’s first thematic VASP inspection. Internationally she represented the UK in FATF deliberations on Recommendation 15 and authored the Caribbean FATF paper on VASPs, giving her a clear view of global standards and local realities.
• Reason
  With long‑standing links to CIMA, AMLU, the Ministry of Finance, CFATF, FATF and HM Treasury, I can balance innovation with robust, internationally respected rules. I will deliver targeted training, negotiate proportionate regulation and showcase Cayman success stories abroad.

---

Daniel Parsons

• Bio
  Daniel Parsons, a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)), spent seven years in audit and advisory roles in Johannesburg, London and Cayman. At Highvern he administers trusts and corporate services for crypto‑focused foundation companies, liaising with banks, lawyers and regulators to keep structures compliant as rules evolve.
• Reason
  My frontline exposure to new guidance, FATF assessments and reporting obligations lets me flag developments early. I plan to create concise checklists and run workshops with auditors on economic‑substance and foundation reporting best practice.

---

Ramona Tudorancea

• Bio
  Part time / International correspondent role covering collaborations with other jurisdictions.

---

Kavita Maharaj‑Alexander

• Bio
  Deputy General Counsel at Harneys Fiduciary, Kavita has spent 15 years steering payments, insurance and fintech entities through licensing, supervision and governance. While at CIMA she helped draft Cayman’s virtual‑asset legislation, giving her rare insight into policy intent and industry impact. She holds an LL.B, an LL.M (Commercial & Corporate Law), an MSc (Blockchain & Digital Currencies) and the CFCS designation, and regularly trains financial‑crime teams and publishes on proportional regulation of novel token models.
• Reason
  I champion balanced rules that safeguard the system without stifling innovation. Drawing on experience on both sides of the table, I will curate an open resource library and mentor the next generation of compliance professionals.

---

Dean Walker

• Bio
  Dean Walker is Web3 Manager at Leeward Management, advising 20+ foundation companies and DAOs on governance, treasury, reporting and cross‑border compliance. Formerly with Maples, Deloitte and BDO, his CPA training adds a rigorous financial lens. He authors “Crypto Bytes”, a weekly LinkedIn series read by 5 000+ followers and has designed grant frameworks, token‑treasury policies and cross‑jurisdiction DAO expansions.
• Reason
  If elected I will create a living handbook of Cayman regulations, launch youth blockchain workshops, relaunch Crypto Bytes under BACI and showcase Cayman’s professional ecosystem to projects deciding where to base operations.

---

Justin Wretham

• Bio
  Justin Wretham is a senior associate in Walkers’ FinTech & Blockchain group with a decade of cross‑border transactional experience. Since moving to Cayman in 2021 he has advised leading Web3 projects and VC funds on structuring, regulatory analysis and commercial strategy, earning “Rising Star” recognition in IFLR1000 (2025). He also sits on Global Digital Finance policy working groups, giving him early insight into emerging international standards.
• Reason
  I will deepen BACI’s engagement with the global Web3 community, refine Cayman’s legal toolkit and support initiatives that drive real‑world adoption of digital‑asset technology—helping the Islands remain the premier offshore jurisdiction for high‑growth crypto ventures.