Jennifer Raffoul Headshot
Report a problem with this profile
[email protected]

Jennifer Raffoul  

founder MadeintheCaribbean.co

Jennifer is a development economist, social entrepreneur and holistic health practitioner.

Jennifer currently works as a bond trader for RBC Merchant Bank (Caribbean). Previously she worked at the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), assisting in developing the Trinidad and Tobago Country Strategy lending envelope of over USD$1 billion; and designing and executing individual local and regional IADB projects, ranging from private sector projects strengthening the export of Creative Industries (Carnival and tourism), to public sector projects on education, social safety net strengthening, procurement reform and environmental sustainability. Her research work includes the role of cultural/creative industries in Caribbean economies; a review of sector-specific economic growth policies in T&T; and assessment of the sustainability of the PetroCaribe energy cooperation agreement between Venezuela and 14 Caribbean countries.

Jennifer is the Founder of MadeintheCaribbean.com - an e-commerce website to promote products made in the Caribbean, where the key feature is video stories of every entrepreneur to showcase their products, their inspiration and energy, and their story. The business was a Finalist in the World Bank's InfoDev competition run during January - March 2013 and won the Public Choice Award. The objective is sustainable economic development - as authentically and people-focused as possible.

Jennifer completed an MSc in Economics for Development at Oxford University (UK; 2008); a BAH in Applied Econometrics and Politics at Queen's University (Canada; 2006); and secondary school at St. Joseph's Convent Port-of-Spain (Trinidad; 2002), where she was voted Head Girl by her peers. She is a certified hatha yoga instructor (2011), and is currently studying holistic nutrition at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition with a focus on autoimmune disorders.

Jennifer's interest in economics stems from the impact of economics (and especially economic indicators) on policy and ultimately on quality of life. Currently her main research interest is re-development of quality of life indicators in place of the often-misinterpreted GDP, in particular the Stiglitz-Sen-Fitoussi report and methodology.

Jennifer is passionate about well-being, peace, environmental and economic sustainability, culture, people, and music. Her next goal in life: to learn to play the steel pan.

Related Speakers View all


More like Jennifer