Dr. Cherése Novelle Godwin
Global Policy & Social Impact Executive | Higher Education Leader | International/Organizational Development & Innovation Strategist
Oxford University Press & NASW Press published author, UNESCO World Humanities Speaker, and University of Pennsylvania Social Work Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee — shaping institutions, communities, and societies through sustainable and innovative frameworks.
Connect on LinkedIn"History-maker. The first National Psychologist of National Security for the Federation of Saint Kitts & Nevis — and 13+ years shaping higher education, policy, and global development."
Dr. Cherése Novelle Godwin is an Oxford University Press, NASW Press, and Social Work Encyclopedia Social Entrepreneur expert and definition definer, a UNESCO World Humanities Public Speaker, and University of Pennsylvania Social Work Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee. She made history as the first National Psychologist of National Security for the Federation of Saint Kitts & Nevis, where she served as a Social Security Board Director representing the Chamber of Industry & Commerce — helping raise a two-billion-dollar fund through meaningful data and policy.
She is the CEO of Leverage, Ltd., an international consulting firm specializing in ESG & Social Enterprise, organizational, country, program, and policy development. A proud lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, she led a course series on Data for Equitable Justice and taught policy and international social work. Dr. Godwin holds certifications from the ILO, the Center for Social Impact Strategy at Penn, and Wharton Online, and is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Inc.
Ph.D. Social Work Policy, Planning, Administration & Social Sciences
Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work, Clark Atlanta University (CAU)
Summa Cum Laude — Inducted into Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
Master of Social Work (MSW) Social Work
University of Pennsylvania
Cum Laude — Inducted into the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice Hall of Fame
BA Psychology
Clark Atlanta University
Cum Laude
Areas of Expertise
A comprehensive command of the disciplines that define consequential leadership at the intersection of strategy, policy, and institutional transformation.
Executive & Advisory Experience
A career defined by historic firsts and consequential leadership across governments, international institutions, and the private sector.
Leverage, Ltd.
Chief Executive Officer and Director, Policy, International Development and Social Impact
Federation of Saint Kitts & Nevis
First National Psychologist of National Security (Historic Appointment)
Social Security Board of St. Kitts & Nevis
Board Director — Representing the Chamber of Industry & Commerce
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Mediation Board Member
Rotary International — Liamuiga Chapter
Executive
Business and Professional Women (BPW)
Executive — Federation of Saint Kitts & Nevis
NASW — NJ & Delaware Chapters
Policy & Legislation Manager
University of Pennsylvania — School of Social Policy & Practice
MSSP Lecturer — Data for Equitable Justice, Policy & International Social Work
A Global Footprint
International collaborations spanning multilateral institutions, regional development bodies, and sovereign governments.
Certifications & Professional Development
Certified Board Director (C. Dir.)
Caribbean Governance Training Institute
Social Policy, Social Protection, and Decent Work / Green Jobs
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Social Impact Strategy
University of Pennsylvania, Center for Social Impact Strategy
Social Entrepreneurship
Wharton Online, University of Pennsylvania
ESG & Climate Change
University of Pennsylvania
ESG and Social Activism
University of Pennsylvania
Renewable Energy Technology Fundamentals
University of Colorado Boulder
Global Energy and Climate Policy
University of London
School Social Worker Credential
New Jersey Department of Education — 2009
Academic Leadership
13+ years shaping the next generation of leaders as Lecturer, Chair, and Associate Professor across Ivy League institutions and HBCUs.
Boards & Advisory
Bringing strategic governance and civic leadership to institutions at the forefront of social and economic development.
Village Micro Fund
Board Member
Atlanta, GA — Community Economic Development & Social Impact
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation
Advisor
National — Youth Development, Social Impact & Community Investment
Speaking & Thought Leadership
Dr. Godwin commands international stages — from UNESCO World Humanities conferences to executive forums — delivering insight that moves institutions to action.
APA Conference
Presentation Speaker
Diversity in Tenure — 2021
University of Pennsylvania – Center for Social Impact Strategy
Speaker
Athletes and Entertainment for Social Impact — 2022
Temple University
Guest Speaker
Sports Convening: The Intersection of Athletics, Policy, and Social Justice — 2021
Temple University
Speaker
Political Social Work: Activism, Advocacy, and Influence — 2021
UNCF – Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Guest Speaker
The Role of Innovation in Social and Economic Transformation — 2023
Diaspora Conference – St. Kitts
Main Speaker
Diasporic Synergies for a Sustainable Island State — 2024
University of the West Indies – St. Kitts and Nevis
Speaker
Public Education and Awareness on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) — Development of Regional Communications Strategy
American University of the Caribbean – Sint Maarten
Speaker
Crisis Intervention Therapy Post-Hurricane — February 2018
American University of the Caribbean – Sint Maarten
Presenter
Corporate Risk Management — November 2017
American University of the Caribbean – Sint Maarten
Guest Speaker
Post-Hurricane Trauma and Faculty Wellness — October 2017
Psychologist to the Ministry of National Security – St. Kitts and Nevis
Presenter
Crisis Response and Organizational Wellness — January 2018
Kajola Kristada
Facilitator
Corporate Team Building and Leadership Strengthening — January 2018
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Corporate Wellness Speaker
Bereavement Counseling in the Workplace — January 2018
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Guest Lecturer
Mental Health in the Workplace (World Mental Health Week Lecture) — October 2017
UNFPA – St. Kitts and Nevis
Speaker
Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy Situational Analysis — January 2018
International Labour Organisation
Delegate Speaker
Women in Business and Leadership – Caribbean Region — September 2017
International Labour Organisation
National Representative
Labour Laws and Social Policy – St. Lucia — November 2017
UNESCO
Keynote Speaker & Coordinator
Single Mothers Holistic Empowerment Seminar — July 2017
UNESCO
Presenter
Caribbean Humanities Symposium — June 2017
World Bank / PitchIT Caribbean Challenge
Guest Speaker, Panelist & Judge
Innovation in Tech and Mobile App Development — June 2017
Publications & Recognition
Social Entrepreneurship
Godwin, C. N., & Crocker-Billingsley, J. (2024). In C. Franklin (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Social Work. DOI: 10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1304
Oxford University Press / NASW Press
Social Entrepreneurship and Social Work for Transformational Change
Godwin, C., Crocker-Billingsley, J., Allen-Milton, S., & Lassiter, C. D. (2022). Re-envisioning the Social Work Profession, Education, and Practice. Advances in Social Work, 22(2), 475-498.
Advances in Social Work
Work-Life Management Challenges for Graduate Students of Color at an HBCU During a Pandemic
Allen-Milton, S., Caldwell, N., Popat, D., Prout, T., & Godwin, C. (2022). Journal of Underrepresented & Minority Progress, 6(1), 73-96.
Journal of Underrepresented & Minority Progress
Book Review: Key Debates in Social Work and Philosophy
Allen-Milton, S., & Godwin, C. (2022). Research on Social Work Practice, 32(4), 475-476.
Research on Social Work Practice
Incarceration, Birth Rate, and Racial Disparities
Godwin, C. N. (2015). A Study of the Relationship Since the Passing of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
Doctoral Dissertation
Godwin, C. N. (2015). A Study of the Relationship Between Incarceration, Birth Rate, and Racial Disparities Among African Americans Since the Passing of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. ETD Collection for AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library, Paper 3124.
Clark Atlanta University
Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee
University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice
University of Pennsylvania
UNESCO World Humanities Conference
International Public Speaker
UNESCO
Woman in Business and Leadership National Award 2017
Selected by the Chamber of Industry & Commerce and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) representing the Federation of Saint Kitts & Nevis
Chamber of Industry & Commerce / ILO
Woman of the Year 2024
Named Woman of the Year in the Federation of Saint Kitts & Nevis
Federation of Saint Kitts & Nevis
Engage Dr. Godwin
Through Leverage, Ltd., Dr. Godwin partners with organizations, governments, universities, foundations, and executives for transformative advisory work at the highest levels.
Connect
Dr. Godwin welcomes inquiries for consulting engagements, executive opportunities, keynote speaking, board service, academic collaborations, and strategic partnerships.