Theresa Bradley

My name is Theresa Bradley, I was born in Belize City on 25th February 1969, where I resided with my mom, older brother, and great-grandmother. In 1974, my mother was transferred to Belmopan while being employed at the Government Printers. My brother and I remained with my great-grandmother for a year and later moved to Belmopan to join her. My mother, being the sole provider, ensured due diligence in providing everything we needed with the little she earned. Her level of dedication and hard work led me to fulfil my educational abilities as I grew older, to not only make a difference for myself but also alter the way my family dynamic has been since I was a child.
Belmopan Infant and Junior Schools set the foundation for my educational success, which continued at Belmopan Comprehensive School, where I majored in Commercial Studies and successfully graduated on 28th May 1985. Due to financial constraints, I did not pursue sixth form as I knew my mother would not be able to afford the fees, tuition, etc. Later that year, at age 16, I was hired for a two-week temporary employment at the Establishment Department, now known as The Ministry of Public Service, where I secured the role of a typist. Thereafter, on 10th January 1986, I was employed as a Registry Clerk at the Ministry of Education, where I held responsibility for Government Primary School Teachers’ files. I can still clearly remember my first day of work— proudly stepping out with a pinstriped blue, yellow, and white dress that my mom paid a seamstress to make for me. Earning $168.50 for the two weeks I worked, I saved a portion of my first and second paychecks to buy my graduation ring, which cost about $150.00 at the time. On 13th October 1988, I was appointed Second Class Clerk, and I must say my experience working at this Ministry was a memorable and fulfilling journey where I gained friendships that turned into family.
In 1990, I was transferred to the Ministry of Energy and was promoted to First Class Clerk on 29th October 1991. In 1992, I became an aunt/mother to my brother’s 3-month-old daughter, who came to live with us while he worked in San Pedro. In 1993, changes in my life continued with my enrolment and successful completion in a one-year Accounting Technician Certificate program promoted by the Government of Belize through a partnership with the Belmopan Junior College (an extension of the University of Belize). It was a proud moment for me, as I was the only senior First-Class Clerk among the Accountants from the wider Public Service. My tenure at the Ministry of Energy ended when I was transferred to the Geology and Petroleum Unit on 1st August 1994, and worked there until 1995. I then moved to the Ministry of National Security and Home Affairs on 14th February 1995, to act as an Administrative Assistant. On 1st July 1995, I married Richard Bradley, and from this union we share two beautiful children, Richard Lorin Bradley and Taylor Alexandra Bradley.
I experienced the joys and sorrows of being a Public Officer as, on 27th November 1995, I was transferred to the Ministry of Finance, still as acting Administrative Assistant, but a month later I was among the 860 workers who were retrenched in 1995. However, in January of 1996, when the Value Added Tax Unit was created in Belize City, I applied for a position advertised and received a transfer on promotion as a Value Added Tax Inspector on payscale 13. With my promotion, I was informed in writing that my service would not be broken.
On 7th December 1998, I was posted to the Ministry of Housing to perform the duties of Finance Officer III and later got a retroactive promotion from 1st December 1998. I enrolled at the University of Belize to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration on a part-time basis and later applied for one-year study leave from May 2002 to May 2003 to do my final year. I was transferred to the Treasury Department in 2002, and during my tenure there, I was elevated to Finance Officer II on 1st December 2003. I was transferred to the General Post Office on 14th November 2005, and promoted to Finance Officer I on 1st December 2008.
I was transferred to the Ministry of Health in Belmopan on 26th June 2010 due to a petition signed by some Finance Officers from Belmopan for me and a few others to be transferred to Belmopan to lead the financial activities of large ministries. The most challenging part of this transition was that now, as a single parent, I had no choice but to leave my two children in Belize City while I commuted daily to and from Belmopan. This was a big transitional period for me and my family since I remained in Belmopan for 4 years, spending 2 years at the Ministry of Health, and later transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture on 8th November 2012, where I served another 2 years. Then, on 15th October 2014, I was transferred back to Belize City once again to the Treasury Department.
In furthering my career advancement, I pursued and successfully completed procurement courses offered by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) and received an Introduction Certificate in Public Procurement on 29th February 2016, Advanced Certificate in Public Procurement on 24th July 2017, and A Strategic Diploma in Public Procurement on 17th April 2018. On 1st May 2018, I applied for and was promoted to the post of Assistant Accountant General, my current post. A couple months after my promotion, I lost my mom, who was my mentor and everything to me, but was blessed with a beautiful granddaughter, Nuvia Vanessa, that same year. For the period 4 to 8th November, I attended an Internal Audit Training in Bridgetown, Barbados, sponsored by Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance (CARTAC), where I met Public Officers in the same field from other Caribbean Countries.
Throughout my 37 years public service career in various ministries and departments, there have been highs and lows; however, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. The additional bonuses have been the instrumental people I worked with, whom I still hold dear to my heart and who have made a huge impact in my everyday life. Even more, the work ethics that my late mother demonstrated are and will always be a driving force behind my hard work and dedication. Most importantly, my favorite Bible verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) inspired and supported me in my successful accomplishments.