KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Jamaica has appointed a new chief of operations (COO) with effect from August 1.

She is Adriana La Valley, who, according to a release from the IDB, has over 20 years of international experience in development financing, and takes up the position after serving as lead operations specialist at IDB headquarters in Washington.

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 projects. While working in the private sector, she advised international clients at the law firm Latham and Watkins, reportedly specialising 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.

In Jamaica, La Valley said she plans to leverage the breadth of her experience to maximise and streamline investment and development. “I hope to work closely with the private and public sectors to find synergy 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; Jamaica has been an example for the region and so I am excited and appreciative of the opportunity to contribute to its continued development,” she added.

Commenting on the appointment, Therese Turner-Jones, country representative for IDB Jamaica Country Office and general manager for the IDB’s Caribbean Country Department is happy to welcome La Valley. 

“Reflecting on where Jamaica was four years ago, the country has taken very important steps to address its fiscal constraints and the effort must continue as we work to improve lives for the people of Jamaica. Adriana will help us to continue that important journey,” Turner-Jones said.

Former COO of the IDB Jamaica office, Harold Arzu has taken up a new position in the IDB’s Caribbean Country Department’s office in Washington, DC, expanding his focus to cover the Caribbean region.