ECCB 40th Anniversary Lecture Series - Commonwealth of Dominica

Mr. Kenneth George Dill

Mr. Kenneth George Dill is the owner of Ken’s Hinterland Adventure Tours and Transfer Service (KHATTS). KHATTS offers a wide range of services such as Hiking, Botany Tours, Rainforest Expeditions, Cultural Tours, Sightseeing Tours, Birdwatching, Airport Transfers and Tour Operator Representation.

Ms. Lizra Fabien

With over a decade of experience in private sector development, Lizra Fabien has been a strong advocate for the development of the private sector and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, with special attention to Disaster Risk Reduction. 

Lizra is currently the Caribbean Project Manager for the Organization of American States (OAS) project Economically Empowered Women for Equitable and Resilient Societies, which is being implemented across six Eastern Caribbean countries. 

Lizra recently served as the Executive Director of the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce, the leading private sector representative body in Dominica, which fosters economic growth and social development with significant commitment to the resilience of the business community. Her service to the Chamber continues as the ARISE Dominica Focal Point and Board Member of the UN Global ARISE Network. 

In added service to the local business community, Lizra volunteers as the Director of Entrepreneurship of the GEMS Foundation. As an avid traveler, Lizra represents and promotes Dominica globally through he work and personal travels.

Mr. McCarthy Marie

Economist, Music Business Entrepreneur, Intellectual Property Expert McCarthy Marie is an economist whose journey encompasses a profound love for economics, music, culture, and an enduring partnership with his wife, Ophelia. Together, they have shaped his remarkable path, leading him to expertise in intellectual property.

Born and raised in Dominica, McCarthy's passion for economics and music has been the driving force in his life. With academic excellence in economics, he has passionately explored the economic impact of music and cultural preservation. His pioneering research has illuminated the transformative potential of cultural investments in stimulating economic growth, job creation and community well-being. But McCarthy's journey transcends his roles as an economist and cultural entrepreneur. His lifelong partnership with Ophelia, which began in the 1980s, has been an integral part of his career. He has not only managed her career but also been a steadfast supporter of her artistic pursuits. Through this partnership, McCarthy has developed a deep understanding of the intricacies of the music industry, including the importance of intellectual property rights. 

Their collaboration in managing Ophelia's career provided McCarthy with first-hand insights into the challenges artists face in protecting their creative works. This experience ignited his passion for intellectual property, leading him to become an expert in safeguarding artists' rights, particularly in the realm of copyright. This expertise has earned him consultancy roles with organisations like the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), where he conducts seminars for members of the judiciary of the Eastern Caribbean. 

Additionally, McCarthy has made significant contributions to economic research, co-authoring two groundbreaking studies alongside Dr. Professor Vanus James. These studies measure the economic contribution of copyright-based industries to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Trinidad and Tobago, reflecting his commitment to understanding and promoting the economic significance of intellectual property. 

McCarthy Marie's journey is a testament to the power of passion, expertise and collaboration. He and Ophelia have built a life together, fostering not only their own careers but also advancing the protection of artists' rights through their collective efforts. McCarthy stands as a beacon of hope for those who believe in the transformative potential of music, culture and intellectual property in driving economic development and sustainable growth.

Mr. Colin Piper

Mr. Colin Piper has been at the helm of the Discover Dominica Authority since 2009, leading the Authority and driving Dominica’s tourism growth while steering the destination out of many natural disasters and other shocks. Mr. Piper has championed numerous destination marketing campaigns, been active in the production of Dominica’s marquee festivals where he was part of the inception team for the World Creole Music Festival and has been a member of the Air Access Committee since inception in 2013. 

Mr. Piper has over three decades of sales, marketing and operations experience, both domestically and internationally. Prior to his appointment as CEO/Director of Tourism, Mr.Piper worked for Microsoft Corporation, where he developed strategies for sales to the financial services sector. These strategies generated over $12 million in sales of software products for computing devices worldwide to clients including U.S. Bank, the 6th largest bank in the U.S., and Ameriprise Financial, the 3rd largest financial advisory firm in the U.S. ranked by number of advisors. He held similar positions at Thomson Reuters and IBM, where he cultivated and advanced his professional career.

Mr. Samuel Raphael

Developer and Managing Director of Jungle Bay Dominica, Samuel “Sam” Raphael is recognised as one of the Eastern Caribbean’s most innovative entrepreneurs, with lucrative ground-breaking models in aviation, sustainable tourism, and real estate development. As the owner of award-winning businesses in different Caribbean jurisdictions, he provides invaluable insights to clients. He is always eager to share his wealth of knowledge of the Caribbean and his practical business experience. Sam's successful business track record highlights his longstanding commitment to the empowerment of Caribbean people through sustainable tourism. His passion for delivering high-quality, scalable ventures is well-recognised. Among other distinctions, Sam was honoured by the international Virgin Holidays Award for “Best Personal Contribution to Responsible Tourism” in 2010. His brainchild Jungle Bay was named #2 Hotel in the Caribbean in 2015 by Trip Advisor and was called Top 10 Eco Resort in the World by Forbes. Case studies by the World Bank and tourism publications globally have featured his enterprises.

Ms. Annika Kamilla Bellot

Annika Kamilla Bellot is an Attorney-at-Law specialising in Environmental Law based in Dominica. In 2021, Annika was
Dominica’s sole Chevening scholar and holds a Masters of Law in Environmental Law, Policy & Governance from Birkbeck College, University of London; a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School; and a BSc in Economics and Bachelors of Law from the University of the West Indies (UWI). Additionally, Annika considers herself a Climate Advocate, as she has a keen interest in matters of climate justice and issues surrounding the effects of climate change on small island developing states. She has written several papers on environmental and climate change matters and continues to work as a consultant on environmental policy development in Dominica. Annika is also employed as the Legal Officer at the National Bank of Dominica Ltd. Annika believes in the power of advocacy and utilising the law
as a tool for social change. Annika also owns two businesses: a plant business called The Watering Can, which focuses on sustainable gift-giving, and a videography service specialising in Instagram Reels, where she is known as Nature Island Nikki – TheReelGawd, with a primary focus of promoting Dominica as a go-to destination for nature lovers, events and unique experiences.