Some call her Valerie Veira, others may just say Miss V, but to all, she is the ‘Mother of Jamaican MSMEs’. As she demits office as Chief Executive Officer at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), scores of those close to heart gathered to raise a toast to the matriarch.
The JBDC’s Incubator & Resource Centre (IRC) came alive with laughter, tears, and memories as people celebrated her remarkable 23 years of legacy as the ‘Mother of Jamaica’s MSMEs’ on October 31, 2024. The event was a heartfelt tribute, an opportunity to acknowledge the deep impact she has made on the lives of countless entrepreneurs and the development of the country’s Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMES).
Throughout her tenure, Veira’s leadership transformed the JBDC into a crucial institution for nurturing the island’s entrepreneurial spirit. The programmes she championed helped to uplift numerous local businesses, offering them the resources, training, and guidance necessary to thrive in an increasingly globalised economy. Under her direction, the JBDC not only supported start-ups but also helped to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of established MSMEs.
The evening was filled with personal tributes from those who had benefited from her mentorship and support. Many shared stories of how Veira, through the JBDC provided practical assistance ‘From Concept to Market’.
As she steps down from her post, Valerie Veira’s legacy is secure. She has earned her place as one of the most influential figures in the country’s business development sphere. While she may no longer be at the helm of the JBDC, her work has laid the foundation for the Team at JBDC to follow.
The night was not just a farewell, but a celebration of her extraordinary career and the lasting impact she’s had on Jamaica’s business community. It was a tribute to a woman whose work, passion, and vision helped shape the future of Jamaican MSMEs for decades to come.
As the evening at the JBDC’s IRC drew to a close, a unique gesture was made to honour Valerie Veira’s incredible legacy. A time capsule was introduced – symbolic of her lasting impact on Jamaica’s MSMEs. The capsule, carefully crafted and sealed with intention, represented the years of work, dedication, and nurturing that Veira had invested into the growth of MSMEs across the island.
