DAIC Appoints Ashma McDougall as New Executive Director

DAIC 18th October, 2024

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The Dominica Association of Industry & Commerce (DAIC) is thrilled to announce Ashma McDougall’s appointment as its new Executive Director. In her role, Ms. McDougall brings a wealth of qualifications and experience that will undoubtedly benefit the Chamber and its valued members.

With over a decade of experience in academia, economic research, and academic leadership, McDougall is uniquely positioned to advance the mission of the Chamber. Most recently, she served as the Director of Student Activities at Dominica State College and has been a dedicated Senior Lecturer of Economics for thirteen (13) years.

Her tenure as the President of the National Youth Council of Dominica (2021- 2023), has equipped her with invaluable skills in NGO management and advocacy, allowing her to continue to forge strong relationships with key stakeholders and provide effective leadership for the Chamber.

As a small business owner and an international development advocate, the newly appointed
Executive Director understands the distinctive challenges and opportunities within the private sector landscape. McDougall is poised to lead the Chamber toward unprecedented growth and development.

I am honoured to step into this role at such a pivotal time for our business community. I am committed to fostering innovative resilience among local businesses and advocating for data-driven policies that will contribute to building a robust private sector ecosystem. In this pivotal role, I believe it is essential to strengthen connections and collaboration among our members to drive growth and innovation. My approach will focus on creating opportunities for engagement and partnership, ensuring that every business feels valued and supported. Together, we can build a thriving ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.
Ashma McDougall, Executive Director of DAIC

Ashma’s immediate goals include strengthening partnerships and implementing targeted
initiatives that support the long-term success and vitality of our local economy. “More
importantly; recognizing the critical need for evidence-based decision-making, our team is
committed to utilizing comprehensive data analysis to inform and shape policy recommendations that will empower businesses, foster innovation, and stimulate sustainable economic growth. By integrating data into our recommendations, we can create more effective regulatory environments that support businesses and encourage growth”, the new Executive Director concluded.

President of the Board of Directors of the DAIC, Brenton Hilaire congratulated the new ED on her appointment and mentioned his assurance of the future of the organization. “We are pleased to welcome Ashma to our leadership team”, he stated. “Her extensive background and vision for the Chamber will undoubtedly drive positive change for our members and the broader community. We look forward to the transformative impact she will make”, Hilaire affirmed.

Ashma succeeds the previous ED, Kerwin Jno Baptiste, who stepped down in July to pursue further education after serving as Executive Director since March 2023. McDougall expresses her interest in meeting with the members in November 2024, as she aims to bolster the efforts of the DAIC towards its stakeholders. “Our members are what drives us as an organization therefore, we have already initiated meetings with our membership and strive to represent their collective voice. I don’t want to speak solely from my position but rather add my expertise for informed decision-making and greater inclusiveness”, McDougall declared.