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Lesli Prendergast, Vice President Operations at Cornerstone Trust & Merchant Bank Limited

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Lesli is a former Fintech Chief Operating Officer with Delta Capital Partners, leading the company’s digital payments strategy, and banker working in various managerial positions with Scotiabank. During her twelve (12) years with the bank, she worked extensively with diverse teams in Toronto, and the English & Spanish Caribbean, leading strategic initiatives in Digital Transformation, Transaction Migration, Customer Experience Delivery, Electronic Banking Channels and Sales & Service Delivery.

In addition, she spent six (6) years before joining the bank in the financial services industry.

While working with Grace Kennedy Remittance Services, within their Western Union, Bill Express and FX Trader business lines, she managed Retail Distribution, Agency Relationships, Business Development, Customer Service and Operations.

She earned her MSc. in Human Resource Management from Nova South Eastern University, Wayne Huizenga School of Business, BA in Spanish from the University of the West Indies and serves on the board for the Jamaica Triathlon Association and the Pan American Triathlon Confederation (PATCO) Women in Sports Committee.

Cornerstone Trust & Merchant Bank Limited was incorporated in 1969 as Solnar Limited with its activities geared to providing deposit-taking, lending and leasing facilities to clients of a leading law fi rm. In 1992 the shareholders decided to position the company as a full-fl edged merchant bank to take advantage of an expanding fi nancial services market. MF&G Trust & Finance became the new name, highlighting strong and enviable ties with its parent law fi rm. This allowed the company to emerge as a separate entity with its own reputation in the fi nancial marketplace. The Company’s assets, which were then less than JMD 200 million, have since increased to over JMD 6 billion currently. The Bank became an approved foreign exchange dealer in 1997 and has since garnered significant foreign currency deposits, loans and leases. In 2016, 80% of its shares were acquired by CUHJ with the remaining 20% being acquired in 2019.

 

 

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Businessuite Women

Data Mavericks of the Caribbean: Raquel Seville & Dataffluent’s Visionary Rise

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The Genesis of Dataffluent
In early 2024, Jamaican technologist Raquel Seville founded Dataffluent Limited to address a critical void: Caribbean markets lacked reliable, structured financial data. The startup’s mission is audacious yet essential—to “democratise data for underserved markets,” empowering investors, analysts, and companies to navigate with clarity in regions traditionally seen as opaque .

Within months, Dataffluent built an MVP focused on the top 40 companies listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange; by fall 2024, it had secured entry into the Techstars Atlanta/New Orleans accelerator, accompanied by US $120,000 in funding from J.P. Morgan partnerships .

What the Platform Offers
Dataffluent’s platform is a three‑step powerhouse:

1. Ingest & Normalise
Consolidating structured and unstructured data—from filings, reports, and press coverage—then standardising variables to facilitate accurate comparisons and analysis .

2. Interactive Dashboards
Merging fundamental analysis, technical indicators, sentiment metrics, and peer benchmarking into intuitive, visually-rich dashboards—cutting research time by up to 95% .

3. AI-Powered Insights & Forecasts
Delivering machine learning–driven models and predictive analytics tailored to individual risk tolerances and portfolio objectives .

This combination equips users with personalized, actionable guidance on regional equities—an offering rare in emerging markets .

Growth Through Validation & Recognition
Dataffluent didn’t just emerge; it validated its value quickly. In early 2025, the startup clinched third place at the Fintech Islands FiX2025 pitch competition in Barbados, earning US$2,500 and praise for unlocking high-potential Caribbean opportunities

Beyond accolades, inclusion in the Techstars Program positioned Dataffluent within a global network of mentors, investors, and co-founders, amplifying its resources and reach

In Her Own Words: Bold Ambition
On ICT Pulse Podcast (Episode ICTP‑338), Seville elaborated:

“Data‑driven market intelligence is still underdeveloped in the Caribbean… being able to provide clients with accurate, real‑time data… is essential in driving the region’s economic growth and increasing its economic resilience and independence.”

Her remarks underscore a philosophy rooted in regional transformation: data infrastructure isn’t just a tech challenge—it’s a pathway to autonomy and prosperity for Caribbean economies.

Women in Tech & Leadership
Prior to Dataffluent, Seville helmed BI Brainz’s Caribbean arm, training over 10,000 professionals and authoring a technical guide on SAP OpenUI5

But her influence goes beyond curricula; as a vocal advocate for women in tech, she regularly shares candid narratives of resilience—outlining the often-unseen trade-offs of balancing career, health, and family .

Strategy: Bridging Gaps & Scaling Horizons
Seville’s strategy centers on two complementary fronts:

Close the Confidence Gap: By arming investors with robust data and smart analysis, the company seeks to elevate investor participation—currently hovering at about 10% in Jamaica, versus over 60% in developed markets .

Expand Geographically: In 2–3 years, Dataffluent aims to replicate its model across regional exchanges (Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Eastern Caribbean), addressing a universal data deficit in emerging economies .

Why It Matters
For Investors: The platform provides tools once reserved for global markets—enabling Caribbean investors to conduct rigorous, data-driven analysis locally.

For SMEs & Governments: Actionable market data means smarter capital allocation and stronger economic planning.

For Caribbean Economies: A measurable boost in GDP growth is possible as data transparency fosters investment, innovation, and competitiveness .

Look Ahead
As Seville and her team evolve Dataffluent from beta to commercial product, the vision is clear: establish the firm as the region’s trusted financial intelligence engine. With continued Techstars support, regional pilots, and incoming pilot customers, 2025 looks to be the year Dataffluent moves from promise to prominent plotter of Caribbean capital flows.

Final Take
Raquel Seville is more than a data entrepreneur—she’s a catalyst for transformational growth. With Dataffluent, she’s not just building a tech company; she’s architecting a new era of transparency, participation, and economic resilience in markets long side-lined by data scarcity. It’s a story of ambition, precision, and regional uplift—and Fortune readers should take note.

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Who is Dr. Taneisha Ingleton?

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Dr. Taneisha Ingleton is a prominent Jamaican leader currently serving as the Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust. With a robust academic background, including a PhD, LLB, MPhil, and BA, she brings extensive expertise in human capital development, organizational leadership, and performance coaching.

Academic and Professional Background

Dr. Ingleton is a highly educated professional with a diverse academic portfolio. Her educational journey includes a PhD in Education from the University of the West Indies and an LLB from the University of London, among other qualifications. This extensive education underpins her strategic thinking and leadership capabilities​ (Home – Jamaica Observer)​.

Leadership at HEART/NSTA Trust

Since taking the helm at HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr. Ingleton has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing vocational and technical education in Jamaica. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded partnerships with global entities like City & Guilds, resulting in thousands of certifications across various trades and skills. She has been instrumental in modernizing the training programs to include cutting-edge fields such as autonomous robotics and digital marketing​ (Home – Jamaica Observer)​.

Key Achievements and Initiatives

Dr. Ingleton has led several significant projects at HEART/NSTA Trust, including the establishment of the first Autonomous Mobile and Aerial Robotics Lab in Montego Bay. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to equip the Jamaican workforce with skills relevant to the modern economy. Additionally, she has focused on addressing the backlog of certificates for graduates, ensuring that they receive their credentials promptly​ (Home – Jamaica Observer)​.

Commitment to Workforce Development

Her tenure is marked by a commitment to workforce development and youth empowerment. Dr. Ingleton’s efforts are aimed at not only improving technical and vocational education but also aligning these programs with the needs of Jamaica’s evolving economic landscape. Her strategic vision includes boosting support for the manufacturing sector and increasing enrolment in training programs through digital platforms​ (Home – Jamaica Observer)​.

Dr. Taneisha Ingleton’s leadership at HEART/NSTA Trust exemplifies a blend of academic excellence, strategic foresight, and a deep commitment to national development, making her a pivotal figure in Jamaica’s educational and economic sectors.

 

 

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Who is Senator the Honourable Dr. Dana Morris Dixon?

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Senator the Honourable Dr. Dana Morris Dixon is a distinguished figure in both the public and private sectors of Jamaica, known for her significant contributions to business and governance. Currently serving as Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, she oversees Skills and Digital Transformation, as well as the National Identification System and the Registrar General’s Department.

Educational Background and Early Career
Dr. Morris Dixon’s academic credentials are impressive. She is a Fulbright Scholar, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (First Class Honours) and a Master’s degree in Government (Distinction) from the University of the West Indies. She furthered her studies with a PhD in International Studies from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies and completed an executive program at Harvard Business School.

Her career began in academia at the University of the West Indies, where she taught undergraduate and graduate courses and contributed to the Jamaica Economy Project, a precursor to the Caribbean Policy Research Institute.

Private Sector Leadership
In the business realm, Dr. Morris Dixon held several senior executive roles at the Jamaica National Group, including Managing Director of JN General Insurance Ltd. She led significant strategic projects such as the establishment of JN Bank and the creation of the group’s new structure in 2017. Notably, she played a pivotal role in launching the first Caribbean bank authorized in the United Kingdom in 2020.

Her expertise was also instrumental in the successful completion of Jamaica’s National Risk Assessment in 2021, crucial for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Action Plan, while on secondment to the Bank of Jamaica.

Public Sector Contributions
Dr. Morris Dixon’s public service is equally notable. Besides her current ministerial duties, she has served on the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission and various other boards and committees, advocating for women’s advancement in leadership roles. Her efforts are directed towards fostering a digitally empowered society and improving vocational training to meet the private sector’s needs.

Commitment to National Development
Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen have both highlighted her dedication to national ideals and policymaking acumen, emphasizing her role in driving digital transformation and vocational training initiatives. These initiatives aim to enhance the skillset of approximately 700,000 Jamaicans not formally counted in the labour force, thus supporting economic growth.

Dr. Dana Morris Dixon’s blend of academic excellence, business acumen, and public service commitment makes her a vital asset to Jamaica’s development and a role model for future leaders.

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Businessuite Women In Technology

Sophronia McKenzie Founder of visuEats

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Sophronia, who is an avid fine diner, believes in savoring the moment of each meal – starting with her eyes. Little did she realize that her passion for the total dining experience would lead to something great. For Sophronia everything from being able to accurately picture orders to enjoying delicious flavour from a well-presented plate would prove important to everything visuEats could become. Sophronia recalls that the lightbulb went off one day while at happy hour with her best friend.

That happy hour conversation became the spark that would move the visuEats story forward. Following happy hour, Sophronia connected with a friend and UX designer to put in pictures what Sophronia had in mind. Thereafter, Sophronia would source a developer and conduct a beta launch. The rest, as it were, is HER story. visuEats has gone on to become a reality and have had some key milestones along the way.

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Vivienne Shakespeare – Reynolds Managing Director of CoolMarket.com

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Vivienne, Managing Director of MZ Holdings Limited, is the driver behind Jamaica’s first and largest online marketplace, Coolmarket.com. Renowned for its exceptional user interface, extensive supply chain, efficient delivery network, friendly customer care, and multiple payment options, Coolmarket.com brings a plethora of Jamaican sellers right to the front doors of resident Jamaicans and the diaspora within the Caribbean, North America, Canada, England and other global communities.

Leading companies through the mire of startup uncertainty to profitability has earned her respect as an entrepreneurial savant whose drive to inspire and empower are palpable.

This drive played an essential role in the emergence of the Cool Group’s micro finance company, Cool Loans. Vivienne’s carefully crafted strategic positioning resulted in successful deployment to the Caribbean while maintaining a competitive edge and increased shareholders’ returns in a climate of extreme uncertainty.

As a seasoned purveyor of opportunities, Vivienne’s discernment for emerging markets remained formidable even when faced with the challenge of the COVID-19 Pandemic. She determined that with Jamaica’s evolving digital landscape there was a growing need for logistics support. It was against this background GoCool Courier & Logistics Services was born and has expanded to an island wide transportation network closing nearly 2000 deliveries per month within the first year of operations.

Vivienne is an indomitable leader whose compassion, competence and sense of community engender sentiments of respect and integrity in the eyes of investors, managers, team members and stakeholders effortlessly.

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