Kamla Persad-Bissessar is the Political Leader of the United National Congress (UNC) and the Leader of the Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago. A distinguished attorney and senior counsel, she made history as the seventh Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, serving from May 2010 to September 2015—and becoming the first woman to hold the office.

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar has proudly represented the constituency of Siparia in Parliament for over 27 consecutive years since 1995, earning a reputation for steadfast leadership and public service. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve in several of the country’s most senior governmental positions, including Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs, Prime Minister, and Leader of the Opposition. On the international stage, she broke further ground as the first woman to serve as Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Her academic journey is equally impressive. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Diploma in Education from the University of the West Indies, Mona, pursued a Master’s in Education, and later obtained her Legal Education Certificate with distinction from the Hugh Wooding Law School, where she received awards for Most Outstanding Student and Best Overall Performance. In 2006, she furthered her studies by completing an Executive MBA with distinction at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business.

Born in 1952 in rural Siparia, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar rose from humble beginnings to become a national leader, firmly believing that education is “the passport out of poverty. ” Her life and career have been defined by a deep commitment to public service, gender equity, and democratic governance. She is married to Dr. Gregory Bissessar and is a proud mother and grandmother.