Abbelle Bakr

Abbelle's journey began in Guyana, and before making St. Croix her home nearly twenty years ago, she lived in both New York and New Jersey. Drawn by the island's beauty and the opportunity to raise her two daughters in a close-knit community, she relocated to St. Croix, where her family also owns businesses.Today, she is the proud grandmother of three grandchildren and considers family one of her greatest blessings. As the Financial Compliance Manager at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Abbelle thrives in an environment where she can combine her passion for management, fiscal oversight, and problem-solving. She describes herself as a "fixer" someone, who enjoys identifying deficiencies, analyzing gaps, and developing practical solutions. Her work focuses on ensuring compliance with rules and regulations while helping to ensure that funds are properly managed and that the people of the Virgin Islands receive the services they need and deserve. Knowing that her efforts directly benefit the community provides her with a deep sense of accomplishment. Abbelle's professional path was not a traditional one. After earning her first degree in Psychology and Education, she began her career as a preschool teacher in a corporate daycare setting. Recognizing her strong work ethic and leadership potential, her area manager encouraged her to take on a management role within an underserved community. Along with this opportunity came specialized training in business management and accounting, which sparked a new professional direction. Over time, she earned multiple certifications and became a Certified Management Accountant. For more than fifteen years, Abbelle was an entrepreneur, successfully managing her own business ventures. Four years ago, she decided to bring her extensive experience and expertise to public service. Believing that her business background could benefit the government, she applied to OMB and was hired as a Compliance Analyst. Her dedication and contributions quickly became evident, and she was promoted to Financial Compliance Manager. Today, she continues to find great fulfillment in her role, appreciating the opportunity to engage both her analytical and creative thinking skills while making a meaningful impact. Looking toward the future, Abbelle envisions retirement and a slower pace of life. While she remains passionate about her work, she hopes to dedicate more time to the people who matter most, her grandchildren, her children, and her aging mother. Having spent many years balancing the demands of work and family, she now looks forward to creating more opportunities for quality time with loved ones and achieving a greater sense of work-life balance. Among her proudest professional accomplishments is being recognized for her contributions and earning her promotion to Financial Compliance Manager. Personally, however, nothing surpasses the pride she feels for her two daughters. She describes them as accomplished, intelligent, and compassionate young women whose success brings her immense joy. When asked what motivates her, Abbelle jokingly credits her alarm clock, admitting that she is not a morning person and that getting out of bed can be a daily challenge. Yet once she arrives at work, her motivation comes naturally. Public service aligns closely with who she is as a person. She genuinely enjoys helping others, values her exceptional team, and appreciates the important role OMB plays in supporting government agencies throughout the Virgin Islands. Outside of work, Abbelle is an adventurous foodie who loves exploring different cuisines. Although many people may not realize it at first glance, she enjoys cooking whenever she has the opportunity and eagerly seeks out unique dining experiences during her travels. Her culinary adventures have included sampling kangaroo and ostrich meat, and she is always willing to try something new at least once. If given the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world, Abbelle would choose Bali. Drawn to its peaceful atmosphere and rich spiritual traditions, she hopes to visit its temples, practice meditation, and embrace a quieter lifestyle. As a practitioner of Buddhism, Bali holds special significance for her, and she often jokes with her staff that she is training them to take over her responsibilities when she eventually relocates there. For those beginning a career in compliance or public service, Abbelle offers simple but powerful advice: pursue work that you genuinely love. She believes that success comes from finding purpose and fulfillment in what you do rather than simply working for a paycheck. According to Abbelle, when individuals find meaningful work that aligns with their values and passions, they are far more likely to achieve both professional success and personal satisfaction.