Jamaica

Hazel

O’Connor

Executive Director

Morris Entrepreneurship Centre of the Northern Caribbean University

hazel.oconner@ncu.edu.jm

hwrightoconnor@gmail.com

Biography

As the Executive Director, my main responsibilities involve directing the work of the Centre. The entrepreneurship centre works with micro, small and medium-sized businesses throughout Jamaica, helping them to grow and scale their business. My responsibilities’ include designing programmes beneficial to entrepreneurs and small business operators such as business educational programme, capacity building programmes, connecting entrepreneurs with local, regional and international markets, providing business incubation services and accelerator programmes for high growth potential entrepreneurs. My job also includes designing community intervention programmes to foster, nurture and inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship within Jamaican communities. The objective is to showcase entrepreneurship as a viable career option and a method of job creation.

I hold a Master Degree in Business Administration and currently studying for a Doctorate in Entrepreneurship.

My previous jobs have included: Working in the Micro-Finance Industry as a Regional Manager and working in the Health Sector as Operations Manager for a Category 1 Regional Hospital.

The ACE programme aligns with my current work and my areas of interest and expertise. I am a results driven individual and work with entrepreneurs who are committed to growing and scaling their businesses.

Areas of Interest

My main areas of work and interests are as follows:
Entrepreneurship,
Economic Development,
Business Creation and Development,
Youth and Gender Inclusiveness.

Offer:

I can offer knowledge transfer and expertise in several areas as follows:

1) Business Model Development and Lean Startup Methodology

2) Technical Assistance on Business Incubation and Accelerator Programmes

3) Connections with innovation and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jamaica

4) Trade and investment opportunities in the area of personal care, agro-technology and Indoor Air Quality Technology

Ask:

The opportunity to attend the ACE programme would provide me with international insights and networking opportunities that would allow me to enhance the current levels of service offered to my customers. I am particularly interested in collaborating with international partners in the areas of entrepreneurial support, trade and investment opportunities, economic development partnerships, business innovation especially in the areas of health technology and nutraceuticals.

In addition, my organisation is in the process of establishing a technology transfer unit and I would appreciate collaborating with others to learn more in this area.