Our Core Staff
Karen Jones
Director of VI SBDC
Ms. Karen Jones, is a graduate of Union College in Kentucky, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. After returning back home to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, she pursued and obtained Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands.
Her professional career includes working in both the public and private sectors, providing financial and human resource management services. She has been affiliated with the VI SBDC network as the former Center Director on the island of St. Croix, and has over 18 years of experience providing counseling, technical assistance, training and outreach to nascent and existing small businesses within the Territory.
Shanta Roberts
Director of VI Agriculture Business Center
Shanta “Shay” Roberts is the Director of the Virgin Islands Agriculture Business Center and an adjunct professor at the University of the Virgin Islands. An accomplished hospitality and business professional with more than 27 years of experience, she holds a Bachelor of Science from Morgan State University and a Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration.
Ms. Roberts brings a strong record of leadership, service excellence, and community engagement, having served on numerous civic and professional organizations across the Territory. She is committed to advancing the mission of VI AGBC by providing farmers, fishers, and agribusiness owners with the tools, training, and support needed to build sustainable, resilient, and successful enterprises that strengthen the Virgin Islands’ agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Debra Thompson
Administraion and Fiscal Officer
Mrs. Debra Thompson serves as the Administration and Fiscal Officer for the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC), bringing more than two decades of dedicated experience to the organization. She joined the VI SBDC in 2001 as a student employee and steadily advanced through roles including Administrative Assistant II, Administrative Specialist, and Program Specialist. Her long-standing service reflects her strong work ethic, professionalism, and deep commitment to supporting the mission of the VI SBDC.
In her current role, Mrs. Thompson works closely with the State Director to manage the organization’s financial operations across the St. Thomas and St. Croix offices. She oversees budgeting, grant compliance, fiscal reporting, and administrative processes that ensure the center operates effectively and meets all regulatory requirements. Her blend of financial expertise and organizational insight makes her a critical contributor to the agency’s stability and success.
Mrs. Thompson holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of the Virgin Islands and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Walden University. Her multi-disciplinary background enhances her ability to support both the operational and human-centered needs of the organization.
Sherrika Industrious-Phillips
Network Marketing Coordinator
Ms. Sherrika Industrious-Phillips is a proud native of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from the University of the Virgin Islands. Sherrika began her professional journey with the VI SBDC as an Administrative Specialist and was recently promoted to Network Marketing Coordinator.
A recipient of the prestigious America’s SBDC 2021 State Star award, Sherrika is recognized for her dedication and excellence within the VI SBDC network. In addition to supporting the center’s marketing, outreach and training arm, she is currently spearheading the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into center operations. Furthermore, she leads the application of AI within student intern projects, ensuring the next generation of professionals is equipped with cutting-edge skills. She believes that driving the center’s digital transformation by integrating AI into daily operations and student intern initiatives will bridge the gap between traditional business support and modern technology. Sherrika remains committed to providing USVI entrepreneurs with the resources necessary to build sustainable, generational wealth and a resilient economic future.
Zhane Proctor
Program Specialist III
Zhane Proctor is a Program Specialist III dedicated at the University of the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VISBDC), where she supports the operational efficiency of both the St. Croix and St. Thomas offices. With a strong background in business administration and compliance, Zhane manages vendor coordination, purchasing, invoice processing, and workflow oversight to ensure smooth and timely execution of SBDC operations.
She is known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to streamline processes while maintaining excellent communication with internal teams and external partners. Zhane is committed to supporting the VISBDC’s mission of empowering small businesses across the U.S. Virgin Islands through efficient administrative and procurement support.
Keisha Gokool
Administrative Specialist
Providing essential operational, clerical, and coordination support to ensure the efficient delivery of small business advising, training and program services. A dedicated Administrative Specialist with over a decade of professional experience in the education sector, including service as a teacher and coordinator in Education Diagnostics, Music, English, Spelling, Math, Stem Teaching, Coding and Career Development for learners from early childhood through university level. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Minor in Bible, Teaching Diploma with the Evangelical Training Association, academic qualifications in Business, Accounting and Economics. She is currently advancing professional training to further include a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance. Her career trajectory further reflects administrative exposure within the legal sector, enhancing her expertise in organizational management, procedural compliance, and high-level communication. She brings a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to all aspects of her work at the VI SBDC.