KINSGTON, Jamaica – Former Google executive Natalie Bennett, known for her work on monetizing Google Maps, has joined Jamaican tech firm Y Smart Data as its new Chief Product Officer. Bennett’s appointment took effect on January 6, as confirmed by Y Smart Data’s CEO, Ray St Michael Williams.
Over the past four years, Y Smart Data has been building and refining a comprehensive address database for Jamaica. The startup’s primary focus is the development and implementation of SMART Codes — an alphanumeric address code designed to provide precise, location-based data through a standardized addressing system. By leveraging these SMART Codes, Y Smart Data aims to set a new industry standard for accurate addressing in Jamaica, enabling actionable location intelligence and insights.
Natalie Bennett, a seasoned product manager with over a decade of strategic leadership and technical expertise, will lead new product initiatives at Y Smart Data as the company enters its pilot stage. Prior to joining Y Smart Data, Bennett served as Senior Product Manager at Google, where she led monetization efforts for Google Maps.
Bennett brings extensive experience in driving the ideation, development, and launch of both B2B and B2C products, generating billions in revenue across fintech and adtech industries. With a background in software engineering, she has a proven track record of transforming complex technical challenges into innovative, user-centric solutions that fuel business growth.
Ray St Michael Williams, CEO of Y Smart Data, commented, “Natalie has a deep understanding of our user segment and will help us create products that meet user needs and drive business growth. Her expertise in user research, market fit analysis, stakeholder management, product design, and implementation will be invaluable. We’re excited about the future of our platform with her on board.”
“The best part about Natalie is that she is proudly Jamaican and is committed to seeing our country grow and prosper,” Williams added.
Y Smart Data is currently in discussions with several entities to launch a pilot program for the SMART Codes by the third quarter of 2025. For industries like insurance and finance, a standardized geotagged address database will improve underwriting accuracy, reduce fraud, and minimize data entry errors. Y Smart Data has already geotagged real estate listings by value, demonstrating how geographic areas of affluence and risk can be identified across Jamaica.
CEO Ray St Michael Williams also emphasized that the SMART Codes initiative will help companies comply with the Jamaica Data Privacy Act, which requires data controllers to maintain the most accurate and up-to-date client information, including addresses.
He further explained, “SMART Codes can also be used to modernize the post office, support the SPARK road rehabilitation program, and enhance e-commerce and deliveries. This shift towards location intelligence not only improves operational efficiency but also opens up new avenues for innovation and growth within Jamaica.”
