When Rachel Welch-Phillips walked across the stage on June 17 in New York City to accept the Rising Star In-House Counsel of the Year award, she didn’t just represent herself—she represented an entire region.
At that moment, the ANSA Merchant Bank executive–the only Caribbean honouree at the Women in Business Law Awards-Americas–became a symbol of what’s possible for Caribbean women in law: bold transitions, fearless leadership, and international recognition.
With grace and grit, Welch-Phillips made a bold leap from private practice to corporate leadership—showing what’s possible when women back their brilliance and when strong mentorship, like that offered by Frances Bain-Cumberbatch, helps light the path. Bain-Cumberbatch serves as Corporate Secretary and Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer for ANSA McAL Ltd.
Bain-Cumberbatch took what many might see as a calculated risk, appointing Welch-Phillips to a critical leadership role despite her lack of prior in-house experience. The decision, as it turns out, was not only strategic—it was transformative.
Her journey from private practice to the top ranks of corporate legal affairs is not just inspiring—it’s a blueprint for the next generation of women ready to make power moves of their own.
Welch-Phillips’ journey—from a London law firm to leading legal strategy at ANSA Merchant Bank, a key pillar of the group’s financial services arm—is a testament to what can happen when raw talent meets meaningful opportunity.
Her leadership has played a vital role in strengthening compliance frameworks, managing regulatory risk, and advancing sustainable finance, including spearheading ANSA’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.
But Welch-Phillips is the first to acknowledge the broader ecosystem that supported her rise. “This award belongs to a village,” she shared following the ceremony, referencing her legal team whom she credits with sharpening her thinking and supporting the bank’s complex legal needs, as well as a network of mentors and women leaders across the Caribbean and beyond who have shaped her path.
“This moment is a reflection of so many people who have poured into me —mentors who opened doors and offered wisdom, women who showed me what strength and grace in leadership look like, and a team whose belief in me makes even the hardest days worth it. This award carries all of their fingerprints.”
What makes this story stand out isn’t just the personal achievement—it’s what it reveals about a corporate culture that actively supports women in leadership. Welch-Phillips speaks highly of ANSA McAL’s commitment to advancing women across its leadership ranks.
From board representation to sector-specific roles, the group has made it a priority to create space for women to lead, influence, and drive meaningful transformation.
“What’s powerful about ANSA McAL is that women aren’t just included— we’re genuinely seen, trusted, and supported. It is truly impactful to see women above you break glass ceilings and pave the way for you to excel beyond expectations–that is what Frances Bain-Cumberbatch has done and continues to do for me. That kind of belief changes how you see yourself. It gives you the courage to take risks, to grow, and to lead in ways that are true to who you are. It’s rare, and it’s something I’ll never take for granted.”
Bain-Cumberbatch is a powerful example—serving as both mentor and architect of the group’s Legal, Sustainability, and Corporate Governance function that champions excellence and authenticity.
Welch-Phillips’ recognition in New York underscores the rising global presence of Caribbean legal professionals—but it also highlights the importance of structural support in helping them reach that level. In a field that has long expected women to prove perfection before granting them leadership, her story offers a powerful counterpoint: with the right backing, women don’t need to be flawless to lead.
She is passionate about the intersection of law, development, and justice. Known for her strong interest in corporate governance, ESG integration, and legal innovation, Welch-Phillips brings more than legal expertise to her role—she offers a broader vision of what Caribbean institutions can become when driven by purpose and inclusion.
“I’ve never believed that leadership is about having all the answers—it’s about having the courage to ask better questions, to listen deeply, and to lead with purpose. The Caribbean has everything it needs—talent, intellect, vision—but we need to keep building systems that believe in our people before they’re polished. Elevating young voices, being bold in facilitating sustainable institutional and systemic innovation - that’s how we unlock real transformation.”
Welch-Phillips views her Rising Star award as, without question, a personal triumph. But more than that, she receives this award as a win for a region whose professionals continue to prove that global excellence can—and does—rise from the Caribbean.
“This award means so much because it reminds me that where we come from doesn’t limit where we can go. It’s not just about achievement; it’s about showing the next generation that we don’t have to leave our identity behind to succeed. I carry Trinidad and Tobago with me in every room I enter, and this moment is proof that our voices, our work, and our stories belong on the world stage. I hope those reading this are inspired to change the narrative: we rise because of where we come from, not in spite of it.”
And as Welch-Phillips’ journey shows, sometimes all it takes is someone willing to open the door—and a woman ready to walk through it.