Lucy Fleming

Speaker Information

The Justice for Laddie Foundation ~Transforming Tragedy into Positivity

Lucy and her husband Mick Fleming are trailblazers in Belize’s eco-tourism. They co-founded the Chaa Creek Rainforest Reserve and first Eco-Lodge in Belize in 1981. What began as a simple riverside farm in 1977 evolved into a globally recognized model for sustainable travel, driven by their shared vision, dedication, and commitment to conservation and community development.

Lucy’s passion for her work has led her to hold numerous leadership roles in the community, government, and non-government boards. Notably, she served two terms as President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association and another two terms as President of the Belize Hotel Association. Her involvement in local tourism organizations such as the Belize Tourism Board, the Marketing Advisory Committee, and the National Crime Control Council further underscores her dedication to contributing to society and her significant influence in the tourism industry.

Her journey with Chaa Creek has been a shining example of her unwavering dedication to the power of community and country, one firmly inspiring all her efforts. Working with gang boys at the YEA youth detention center at the George Price Barracks in Belize City allowed her to serve Belize and its people, something she would continue doing for years. Many years later she would conceptualize and spearhead the Justice for Laddie Foundation after her 14-year-old grandson was shot and killed by a police man while jogging on the beach.

Her philanthropical journey was marked by her pioneering community-first efforts, deepening her connection with Belizeans. A significant testament to this is the ongoing Chaa Creek Scholarship program, a project she spearheaded. This initiative has granted 12 –16 scholarships to secondary and tertiary-level students annually. This resourcefulness serves as a tangible demonstration of her commitment to educational opportunities and fosters a sense of hope and empowerment in a nation that is only 45 years old.

Focusing on a holistic approach to all that encompasses humanitarian aid helped her develop the Chaa Creek Cares program. This program utilizes 5% of Chaa Creek’s accommodation rate for conservation, education, and sports initiatives, further contributing to the country’s sustainable tourism efforts. The Employee Dollar Club (EDC), that doubles members weekly dollar input was developed to help employees with immediate medical needs and crisis management dilemmas. Under Mick and Lucy’s leadership, The Lodge at Chaa Creek has achieved worldwide recognition including the prestigious 2017 National Geographic World Legacy Award for Engaging Communities, as well as from Travel Outlets such as Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast and Forbes Traveler. Locally Chaa Creek has been recognized as hotel of the year in 2011 and 2018 by the Belize Tourism Board and Mick and Lucy have also been awarded the Lifetime Achievement award.

Lucy’s legacy is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep love for Belize, blending eco-tourism with philanthropy to protect the country’s natural beauty while uplifting its people. Contributing to the tourism industry made her a vital founder of the eco-tourism movement in Belize. Community-first efforts have made her a leader in Belize’s philanthropic scene, while her fiery passion for social justice has made her an advocate for social reform.