Naomi Modeste was born in Tobago, one of the twin islands of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, in the West Indies. She grew up in a humble environment, enjoyed her family, attended Christian schools, and was deeply influenced by her religious community. She was destined for a life of significance way beyond her immediate geographical environment. Her education and training began at home at a young age as she was homeschooled until age eight when she entered elementary school. Although she loved the village where she grew up, she desired change that could only be achieved outside of her comfort zone and attended college in Trinidad, and Lincoln, Nebraska, where she completed a BS degree. She continued to aspire for the highest in education, in the United States, with an MPH and a DrPH in Public Health from Loma Linda University, in Southern California, but always returned to serve her country after major educational achievements. After serving several years in the Caribbean and Latin America in a variety of roles, she joined the academic community of Loma Linda University in 1991 and worked there for twenty-five years, serving as professor, department chair, program director, researcher, and author, before retiring in 2016. She models Christian values, has a heart for people, is a gracious host, and embraces life. She believes that education is a way out of poverty and was instrumental in using her own funds to educate young men and women, whether through elementary, high school, college or university, and some without their knowledge. Her life is an inspiration to all.