From Bridgetown to Beijing: this vibrant lady, since leaving Combermere, has taken in the sights and wonders of Asia, Europe and parts of Africa, while living and working in Beijing, China.

How did this all transpire?

Dionne explains that having passed for Combermere in 1989 she soon learnt that this was a place where she could be herself.

This confident lass played hockey and was a member of the Drama Club under Icil Phillips which she claims, gave her strong foundation for public speaking and making presentations, which has served her well over the years.

Following her dreams and staying true to who she is, a highly organised individual with a passion for people and hospitality, she found herself transitioning to Tourism & Hospitality at the Barbados Community College.

These were the stepping stones that led her to gain a scholarship from the Chinese Embassy to study in Beijing for six years.

Seizing the opportunities that came her way, Dionne segued into the event industry, again with a strong focus on helping others achieve the desired results for their events.

After a brief sojourn in Paris, where she pursued a master’s degree in Branding & Communications, Dionne returned to Beijing where she eventually worked as a Managing Director for Freeman, one of the largest Event & Brand Management companies in the Industry.

Now, she is about to spread her wings for higher flight to assume a new position in San Francisco as a Vice President for Freeman.

Poised to take on this new challenge and living in the western world once again, Dionne looks forward to inspiring her new team and to explore US, South America and the Caribbean.

As a “foodie” she cannot wait to discover restaurants and other eateries along the way as well as finding new designers.

Although the pandemic has presented a slight challenge, Dionne believes that the strong network that she has built over the years and the ability to let go and be, will allow her to adjust and deliver at her optimum.

Download PDF: Dionne Holder – Combermere Spotlight February 2021