Ms. Gayle Drakes has more than fifteen years' experience in disaster risk management in the Caribbean, at both the regional and national levels, in various technical and programmatic capacities. She is currently the Education and Training Specialist at the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Coordinating Unit.

Her academic qualifications include a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management (Climate Change specialization), from the University of the West Indies; and a Master's Certificate in Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation, and Information Systems, through the University of Laval.