Jeannine Gilbert-Finnigan -Founder & Editor in chief
Jeannine has spent most of her life reading, writing, studying, and raising her two children with her husband. She worked as a Broadcast journalist, television newscaster and in public relations in Seychelles for a number of years before moving to the United Kingdom 18 years ago. Jeannine graduated with degrees in Creative writing, Languages and Culture, Media Production and a Master in Communications Studies. In the United Kingdom, she trained as a lecturer, then started a career in the education sector teaching Media, Communications and Film studies and later led the Media Department of a Further Education College.
When it came to writing, Jeannine had endless dreams, but no idea where to begin until she started a personal blog a few years ago. , The blog became a space for her random writing, documenting her thoughts and experiences. She started contributing articles to publications both in Seychelles and the United Kingdom alongside her teaching career. Jeannine has always had a burning desire to create a magazine, and finally, in 2019 she started working on the project.
Jeannine’s ambition for Cosmocreole is for it to be that go-to online platform for Seychellois women everywhere, where they can recognise themselves, their experiences and be inspired by others. “Seychelloise” is not about one mould -fits-all, but unique individuals with varied connections to the Islands, with unique personal stories, so Jeannine’s mission is to make sure that Cosmocreole celebrates that individuality, and empower our readers to find confidence and a sense of community, no matter where they are.
Besides writing, Jeannine loves reading and is aiming to break her current reading record of 32 books a year.
Natalie Hodgson-Contributor
Natalie has over 15 years of tourism marketing and sales management experience spanning all sectors of the tourism industry including senior government and profit-driven sales roles in Australia, Seychelles, the Middle East and the UK. These included Northern Territory Tourism Commission, Banyan Tree Seychelles, Australian Tourism Commission and Atlantis, Kerzner International. In these roles, she led large international teams and launched various successful international sales and marketing projects and campaigns.
Since starting a family in 2010 she moved out of the corporate world and became a freelance writer/consultant in the Middle East. Freelancing for publications such as Emirates Women, Mother Baby and Child Dubai, Yogalife Magazine Dubai, Doha Mums and Pot Pourri Magazine, Seychelles. She also launched her Teacher Training Yoga/Meditation 300 hours and started teaching pre-and post-natal yoga, teaching for large 5-star hotels.
In April 2017 she moved to Bristol, UK and concentrated her efforts in a Mindfulness qualification with Bangor University and focused on entering the education industry with these new skills. In 2019 she completed her Teachers and Mental Health Lead Diploma.
As a qualified Level 1 UK Mindfulness Practitioner Natalie conducts Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Based courses for the youth in schools across Bristol. She also shares the program at Off The Record, a mental health social movement for those aged 11-25 suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and addictions
Rhonda Chapman-Editor/Writer
Rhonda joins us from Western Australia, with a mixed background in radio, television, marketing, public relations and copywriting. She’s excited to contribute her 18 years of experience to help connect Seychellois women around the world so they inspire and support each other.
Rhonda has always had an unhealthy obsession with writing. As a young child, she had a gazillion pen-pals, participated in writing competitions and wrote plays for her class. It was during a school holiday stint helping the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation set up its first digital music library that Rhonda developed a strong interest in media. She pursued a scholarship and earned her stripes as a trained journalist and filmmaker upon graduating from media school in Western Australia.
During Rhonda’s degree, the SBC hosted her university placement. While there, she realised she would enjoy working in television. That’s why when the SBC later offered her a position as a news journalist, she opted for television news. A year later, she was promoted to production.
After returning to Australia, Rhonda studied public relations and marketing while working in roles that would upskill her before taking a break from working for “The Man”. She started a side hustle to offer public relations, marketing and writing services to help clients look good. When the time felt right, she took the leap to work full time for herself to have the flexibility to be there for her children.
In her spare time, Rhonda volunteers as a community radio presenter at RTRFM 92.1 and mentors emerging writers, journalists and marketers. She also cooks a mean kari koko pwason and can operate a PS4. The highlight of her week is hanging out with her family to discover Western Australia.
Michelle Watts-Beauty Editor
Although born in the UK, Michelle spent most of her life in Seychelles, she moved to the Seychelles in 1977 and for a significant part of her adult life, she lived and worked there, where her career was mainly focused within the Beauty Industry.
Michelle moved back to live in the UK in 2008 and has since worked and developed her career in the beauty industry, mainly, within the Estee Lauder Companies where she has been Counter Manager for Clinique, Estée Lauder and currently holds the position Counter Manager for Creme de La Mer – a luxury Skincare Brand still part of the Estée Lauder Companies.
Michelle has had an impressive career in the industry-is a CIBTAC (Confederation of International Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology) qualified Beauty Therapist with 30 years of experience in the industry, and a member of BABTAC ( British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology ). In 2019 Michelle furthered her education, and is now a Paramedical Skin Therapist, focusing on Skin Revision and Advanced Skin Treatments.
She currently lives in Yorkshire and is married with two children and two stepchildren. Michelle visits family and friends in the Seychelles on a yearly basis and her plans are to eventually move back home to be closer to her family.
Michelle enjoys travelling, both for pleasure and work and has travelled extensively worldwide, which gave her the opportunity to meet and work alongside an array of different people and cultures. Besides all things Beauty and Skincare – Michelle’s hobby and passion is cooking and most recently baking. She also runs a small business Mimi’s Kitchen Candles Company.
Michelle is delighted to be the Beauty Editor of Cosmocreole where she will endeavour to share tips, trends and advice about skincare and what is trending in the beauty world at the moment- be it products, books, or what social media and websites pages to visit. Michelle would also like to reach out to Seychellois Beauty Professionals, who would like to contribute or collaborate to the beauty section of Cosmocreole. You can contact her at beauty@cosmocreole.com
Jade Gilbert-Finnigan-Intern
Despite being born in Seychelles, Jade spent most of her childhood living in the UK where her father is from. She also spent a couple of years living and studying in Australia. She has completed her International Baccalaureate Diploma— studied English Literature, French, Biology, Philosophy, Geography, and Mathematics.
By nature, she is a very studious and inquisitive all-rounder, so achieved exceptional GCSE grades in 2019. She recently became a Yale Young Global Scholar. She is currently studying for a Bachelors degree in Modern Languages at the prestigious University of Oxford in the UK and is hoping to pursue a creative career in the media.
Jade has always been an avid reader and passionate writer, so she started blogging at age 12. As well as her personal writing projects, she has contributed written pieces to an independent news outlet and has worked for a major British television news channel at the age of just 17. Beyond writing, Jade’s interests span from filmmaking to musical theatre and classical ballet, amongst other dance styles.
She is incredibly proud of her Seychellois heritage and sees our beautiful island nation as her home. Jade couldn’t have been more enthusiastic to help her mother get cosmocreole.com off the ground and holds this online platform dear to her heart.