Carla Barnett (born 1952) is a Belizean economist and public administrator who served as President of the Senate of Belize from 2008 to 2012, becoming the first woman to hold that office. Prior to her tenure in the Senate, Barnett held senior positions within the Central Bank of Belize, including Deputy Governor, where she was involved in monetary policy formulation and financial sector oversight. She has also worked as an economist for international development institutions, contributing to policy analysis and capacity‑building initiatives in the Caribbean region.
Barnett earned her higher education in economics, obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies and a master’s degree in development economics from a United Kingdom university. Throughout her career, she has been active in promoting gender equity and economic development, participating in regional forums and serving on boards of non‑governmental organizations focused on finance and women's empowerment.
After completing her term as Senate President, Barnett continued to engage in public service and advisory roles, including participation in committees addressing fiscal policy and economic reforms in Belize. Her contributions have been recognized both nationally and regionally for advancing the representation of women in high‑level economic and political positions.
Note: Information is based on publicly available records and reputable biographical sources.