About Teri
My Story | Rooted in St. Croix
I grew up in a modest three-bedroom home in Frangipani, St. Croix, in a neighborhood filled with hardworking people who believed in showing up, pitching in, and building community.
That environment shaped me.
My father, Arnold Helenese, moved from Trinidad to St. Croix as a young man and started from scratch. Through determination and hard work, he became an engineer, living proof that opportunity is possible when you don’t give up.
The women in my family showed me what resilience looks like, too. My mother, Carol, broke barriers as one of the first Black flight attendants at TWA and worked her way into leadership. My aunt Eastlyn dedicated decades to her career in banking while still making sure family came first, every single day.
I come from people who had faith, believed in dignity, discipline, and do what needs to be done, and that’s the foundation I carry with me.
My Work: Turning Advocacy Into Results
Today, I serve as the Director of State-Federal Relations and Washington Representative for the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands.
In this role, I work directly with federal leaders and agencies to ensure that the needs of the Virgin Islands are represented and prioritized. I advocate every day for the resources and policies our territory needs to grow and thrive.
I developed an overall strategy in 2025 with Kevin Callwood and the Rum Cover-Over Working Group, leading efforts that secured $1 billion in Rum Cover-Over funding for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
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These funds support GERS, retirees, healthcare, education, and critical infrastructure projects throughout the Virgin Islands. I was instrumental in securing an exemption from port fee tariffs that would have cost Tropical Shipping $1 million, helping protect local jobs and ensuring the company could continue operating in the Virgin Islands. My work has also helped advance policies and secure $25 million in funding to support students, expand access to mental health resources, and strengthen economic development across our islands. I understand how Washington works, and I know how to make it work for the people of the Virgin Islands. |
My Why: Family, Future, and the Next Generation
I’m also a wife and a mother. My husband, Alexander DeAbreu, and I are raising two incredible daughters, Gabrielle and Crystal, who make me proud every single day. Gabrielle graduated with honors from Virginia Tech University and is thriving in the tech industry.
Crystal is studying computer science at George Washington University.
Like every parent, I want my children and all Virgin Islands children to grow up in a place where opportunity is real and where hard work is rewarded.
That’s what this fight is about.
Service. Leadership. Community.
Over the years, I’ve been honored to serve in many roles, from education and civic leadership to advocacy and mentorship. I’ve been recognized as a Woman of Influence, served as a PTO President, spoken to young women about navigating life and leadership, and been grateful for moments of recognition throughout my career.
But titles have never been the point. Service has always been.
We’re In This Together
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