Jeanne Atherden is a Bermudian politician and the current Leader of the Opposition.

Early life and education

Jeanne Atherden was exposed to community involvement and politics at an early age as both of her parents, Erskine and Pearl Adderley, sat on numerous boards and her mother, Pearl Adderley ran for Parliament in 1968.

Atherden graduated from the Berkely Institute and McGill University where she attained a Bachelor of Commerce; additionally she has obtained a Chartered Accountant designation.

Career

Atherden began to make her own community contributions, which included serving on the Board of Governors of the Bermuda College, becoming President of the Harrington Sound PTA and joining the Education Planning Team (EPT) in order to help shape a new direction for education.

In 2008, she was appoint to the Senate for the United Bermuda Party (UBP). Prior to that, Atherden had served as a branch chairman for the UBP, and had been offered a place in the Upper House by Sir John Swan in 1994 — but had avoided the front lines of politics because of work and family commitments. Her public service roles ranged from education to health.

While being in the Senate she was appointed to serve as a Members of the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Education. In 2009, she served as one of the six members appointed by the Governor to sit on the Boundaries Commission.

She was appointed chairwoman of the UBP in July 2010, and rose to Opposition Senate leader four months later. The UBP subsequently merged with the new Bermuda Democratic Alliance to create the One Bermuda Alliance in 2011, with Ms Atherden becoming deputy chairman of the new entity.

She declared her candidacy in Constituency 19, Pembroke West, under the OBA in November 2011 — and won her first seat in Parliament as its representative in the General Election of December 2012, beating her brother, Erwin, who ran as an independent candidate.

In May 2014, Ms Atherden joined the Cabinet as Minister of Health, Seniors and the Environment, with the Environment portfolio going to Cole Simons two years later.

Atherden was appointed Leader of the Opposition in 21 November 2017. She had served as Shadow Minister of Finance after the OBA’s electoral defeat in July returned the party to the Opposition.

Atherden is the vice-president and account executive for Paragon Brokers (Bermuda) Ltd,

Personal life

Atherden is a wife and mother of two daughters.

She  is an avid sportsperson she plays netball, volley ball and golf and has serves as President of the Bermuda Netball Association and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of St. George's Gold Course. Her contributions were recognised in her selection as one of Bermuda's Two Outstanding Young Persons.