Dawn Hastings-Williams

Hastings was born in an Akawaio village, Kako, located in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region (Region 7). She attended the local primary school, then later received a Hinterland Scholarship to study at Central High School in Georgetown.^[1] However, Hastings had to leave school in the fourth form when her mother died. At the age of 17, Hastings was able to resume her education: she entered Cyril Potter College of Education and completed a Certificate in Education (Primary). She then graduated from the University of Guyana with a Bachelor's degree in Education Administration.^[2] After graduation, she returned to her village and became the school headmistress.^[3]

Hastings was nominated as a candidate of the People's National Congress (PNC) in February 2010.^[4] She was elected to the National Assembly for the PNC's APNU alliance in the 2011 general election, where she won a seat for the Geographic Constituency of Region 7.^[1][3]

Hastings was re-elected in the 2015 general election. In the APNU-AFC government, she served in several cabinet positions: Minister within the Ministry of Communities (2015–2017), Minister of Public Affairs (2017–2019), and Minister of State (2019–2020).^[1] She was the first indigenous Minister of State.^[2]

Hastings was appointed as a Principal Political Secretary of the PNC in 2017.^[4] She was elected again in the 2020 general election.^[5]