“Behind every strong financial system is a woman who keeps it accountable—not with noise, but with integrity.”

Introduction

In the heart of Guyana’s financial landscape stands Dr. Alicia Van Brook-Lord, a name synonymous with precision, diligence, and ethical leadership. She is not merely a Head of Finance—she is a steward of trust, a quiet force of operational integrity, and a living testament to how far unwavering work ethic, unmatched professionalism, and humility can carry a person.

This biography is not just a timeline of accomplishments—it is a reflection of values that are often overlooked in leadership: consistency over chaos, clarity over clamor, and character over charisma. Dr. Alicia Van Brook-Lord did not walk a path paved with shortcuts. Every step in her career was earned through sheer resilience, deep technical mastery, and the courage to uphold transparency when it was easier to let things slide.

Her journey began humbly, in the classrooms of St. Andrew’s Primary School, where the earliest seeds of discipline were sown. With a curious mind and an instinctive grasp of systems, she quickly stood out—not for being the loudest, but for being the most dependable. That same trait would later define her decades-long career.

She went on to refine her technical edge through multiple diplomas in computer studies, accounting systems, and technology infrastructure, arming herself with skills long before they became a corporate necessity. From Laparkan Trading, where she coordinated complex import documentation, to Ram and McRae Chartered Accountants, where she grew into a meticulous auditor, Dr. Alicia’s hands-on understanding of both logistics and financial systems provided her with a rare, cross-functional depth that few finance professionals possess.

Her entrance into Assuria General GY Inc and Assuria Life GY Inc marked a defining chapter—one that would shape her not only as a financial strategist but as a cultural leader. Over the years, she climbed the ladder from Senior Financial Assistant to Finance Supervisor, and now stands as the Head of Finance, overseeing the very frameworks that uphold public trust in the organization. Her attention to detail is matched only by her emotional intelligence, allowing her to lead teams with both structure and empathy.

“Success is not born from wealth or privilege. It is sculpted from the everyday choices to be better than yesterday.”

Phase 1: Humble Roots and Early Aspirations

Before titles, designations, and the weight of responsibility, there was just a young girl in Guyana who carried within her a quiet fire—a desire to be someone who makes a difference. Dr. Alicia Van Brook Lord’s roots lie in simplicity, discipline, and the unshakable values of education and integrity instilled in her from childhood. Born into a home where diligence and manners mattered more than material things, Alicia’s upbringing set the foundation for her life’s work.

She began her academic journey at St. Andrew’s Primary School between 1995 and 2000, where her presence was calm but unmistakable. While others may have sought to stand out through loudness, young Alicia stood out through her dependability, neatness, and an unusual maturity for her age. She understood early that attention is earned not by shouting, but by showing up and doing things right, every time.

Her transition to Central High School (2000–2005) marked a formative period of identity and purpose. Here, she encountered the pressures many teenagers face—the desire to fit in, the fear of failure, the uncertainty about the future. But Alicia didn’t allow those uncertainties to derail her. Instead, she leaned into discipline, focusing not just on passing exams but on understanding how her education could be the bridge to something greater. Her performance in the Caribbean Examinations Council (C.X.C.) reflected not only her intelligence but her perseverance—a pattern that would repeat across the years.

From a young age, Alicia wasn’t chasing a specific job title. Instead, she was pursuing something more personal: the satisfaction of completing every task with excellence. Whether it was completing an assignment, helping classmates, or organizing her school materials with precision, her approach to life was deeply rooted in structure and inner accountability. She didn’t need to be told what to do—she already knew, and she was already doing it.

It was during these early years that her natural inclination toward systems and processes began to emerge. She showed a distinct comfort with routine, an almost instinctive ability to handle multiple responsibilities without panic, and a passion for understanding how things work beneath the surface. It wasn’t just about getting things done—it was about understanding why and how.

“Knowledge builds confidence. Skills build independence. But wisdom comes when you learn to use both to uplift others.”

Phase 2 : Building the Technical Foundation

While many young professionals struggle to find their footing after high school, Dr. Alicia Van Brook Lord moved with unusual clarity. She knew that if she wanted to make a meaningful impact, she would need more than just ambition—she would need hard, technical skills that could open real doors in the professional world. The bridge between her childhood aspirations and her future leadership was forged in this very phase of her life: the technical foundation that would come to define her competence, precision, and sharp financial insight.

Her pursuit of skill-building began at Computer World (2006–2008), where she dove headfirst into a wide spectrum of programs that would equip her with deep-rooted technological fluency. This was not a passive academic endeavor. She took initiative and enrolled in multiple Diploma programs, including Advanced Computer Studies, Desktop Publishing & Webpage Design, Microcomputer Studies, Computerized Accounting, and Computer Repairs & PC Networking. In each of these, she wasn’t just completing coursework—she was absorbing systems, breaking down structures, and understanding how everything functioned from the inside out.

This period was foundational not only in terms of what she learned, but how she learned. Dr. Alicia Van Brook-Lord approached every subject with curiosity and purpose, knowing full well that the modern workplace was shifting toward automation, digital systems, and data integration. Long before the industry demanded these skills, she had already mastered them.

Her next leap came with her enrollment in the Cambridge International Diploma – Advanced Level (2011), where she took on subjects that would shape her communication and strategic mindset: Effective Business Communication and Marketing. Here, she began to fuse her technical expertise with the ability to articulate value, inspire teams, and think beyond the spreadsheet. These weren’t just academic courses—they were grooming her for executive thinking, something that would later come to define her role at the top of the finance hierarchy.

But Alicia’s hunger for mastery didn’t stop there. She immediately pursued qualifications from ACCA FIA, a globally recognized accounting body. In 2011, she completed modules in Recording Financial Transactions, Business and Technology, and Foundations in Audit. These certifications weren’t merely boxes checked—they became her tools of accuracy, audit discipline, and operational clarity. She began to think like an auditor, like a systems architect, like a controller—not just an employee.

“You don’t wait for the perfect role to prove yourself—you prove yourself in every role, and the right ones find you.”

Phase 3 : Entering the Financial World

Armed with a solid technical foundation and a spirit shaped by quiet resilience, Dr. Alicia Van Brook Lord was ready to enter the professional world—not with entitlement, but with intention. Her first step into the realm of finance was not glamorous, but it was critical. She began where most leaders do—in the trenches, where the details matter and where true habits of discipline and integrity are forged.

Her early professional years were spent at Laparkan Trading, where she worked as an Import Documentation Clerk from 2007 to 2012. To the outside world, it may have seemed like a routine logistics role, but for Alicia, it was a bootcamp in responsibility, accuracy, and client service. She was responsible for the preparation of bills of lading, the vessel manifest submissions to the Guyana Revenue Authority, and most importantly, for ensuring clients were informed and shipments were on track. These duties required a deep attention to detail and a no-room-for-error mindset—traits that would become her trademarks.

Even at this early stage, Alicia treated each document like it represented the entire reputation of the company. Her ability to monitor container movement, avoid demurrage, and keep clients updated with clarity proved her as someone who understood that systems are only as strong as the people who uphold them. She didn’t chase praise, but quietly became the person her colleagues depended on when it mattered most.

But Alicia didn’t stop at competence—she was already preparing herself for the next leap. Her growing technical confidence and her unwavering sense of order made her a perfect fit for the world of auditing. She took her next career-defining step at Ram and McRae Chartered Accountants, joining the firm in 2012 as an External Auditor, where she would spend the next three years building a deeper relationship with numbers, compliance, and organizational behavior.

This was no ordinary audit role. Alicia was entrusted with tasks that required critical analysis, discretion, and maturity. She prepared and reviewed financial statements, led the creation of internal audit budgets, and conducted both control testing and substantive testing with unmatched precision. She presented audit findings, not just as a matter of reporting, but with the intention of recommending actionable, ethical improvements. Her job wasn’t to find faults—it was to strengthen the systems she evaluated.

Note of Thanks

As this biography reaches its final chapter, it is only fitting to pause and extend heartfelt thanks to the individuals, institutions, and quiet supporters who have been part of Dr. Alicia Van Brook-Lord’s journey. Though her accomplishments are many, she is the first to acknowledge that none of them were earned in isolation.

To the team at Assuria General GY Inc and Assuria Life GY Inc, thank you for providing the platform, trust, and environment where Dr. Alicia could lead with both courage and compassion. Your faith in her abilities and your respect for her principles have been central to her growth and impact. To her professional peers—those who challenged her thinking, respected her boundaries, and elevated her standards—know that your collaboration has helped shape the leader she is today.

A deep and humble appreciation is also owed to her mentors, educators, and early supervisors, especially those who offered not just technical guidance but personal encouragement during critical crossroads. Your belief in her potential gave her the strength to pursue more, to dig deeper, and to rise without compromising her values.

To her family, who have been the unseen pillar behind her public life—your patience, understanding, and unconditional support provided the peace from which her leadership was born. You are the quiet sanctuary behind the public success, and for that, she is endlessly grateful.

And finally, to the next generation of financial professionals reading this—thank you. You are the reason this story needed to be told. May you find in Dr. Alicia’s journey the clarity that ethical success is possible, the motivation to keep growing, and the reminder that strength lies not in the noise, but in the unshakable values that stand tall when everything else shifts.

Thank you—for walking with her through these pages.

Thank You
– Dr. Alicia Van Brook-Lord