Inter-American Development Bank appoints new Chief of Operations for Jamaica

The Inter-American Development Bank recently appointed Adriana La Valley as chief operating officer for Jamaica. She has over 20 years of international experience in development financing. Her appointment became effective on August 1. She takes up the position after serving as lead operations specialist at IDB headquarters in Washington.

 

Attorney-at-law

 

La Valley is an attorney-at-law, who also was awarded two master’s degrees in corporate law, and banking and finance law for development from American University and the London School of Economics respectively. She has held several positions at Mexico’s Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, where she was responsible for negotiating international financing for national infrastructure development projects. While working in the private sector, she advised international clients at the law firm of Latham and Watkins, reportedly specializing in project finance.

 

The IDB said that since 2010, La Valley has been advocating innovative financing solutions for Small and Vulnerable Countries (SVCs) and has dedicated her work to the Caribbean Region.

 

Plans for Jamaica

 

In Jamaica, La Valley said she plans to leverage the breadth of her experience to maximize and streamline investment and development. “I hope to work closely with the private and public sectors to find synergies for comprehensive development solutions for Jamaica in keeping with the objectives outlined in the 2016-2021 Country Strategy,” the new COO outlined.

 

“I see so much potential in Jamaica. The country has been an example for the region. I am truly excited and appreciative of the opportunity to contribute to jamaica’s continued development,” she said