Speakers

Jack leads Infrastructure Advisory for the KPMG Islands Group, specializing in the evaluation and structuring of infrastructure projects across the Caribbean. His experience spans investment appraisal, business case development, commercial structuring, financial modelling and transaction execution.

Jack’s advisory experience focuses on advising governments and private sector investors on complex infrastructure programs and transactions, alongside broader corporate finance and M&A advisory. His work includes supporting the delivery of large-scale transport, logistics and social infrastructure projects, as well as providing strategic advice on investment prioritization and funding options.

Simon has 35 years of professional experience gained with KPMG in the UK and the Caribbean. He is on the Steering Committee for the advisory business encompassing Bermuda, Bahamas, BVI, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Guyana, Jersey, the Isle of Man, and Caricom, and is also Head of Advisory for The Cayman Islands, The Bahamas and British Virgin Islands. Simon is the Country Managing Partner for The Bahamas. He is also a Board member of KPMG Islands Group. He has experience across a range of sectors, including banking, insurance, asset management, infrastructure (energy, airports, ports, communications, water, waste, healthcare), government, tourism, travel and leisure. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (“ICAEW”) and Member of the Corporate Finance Faculty of the ICAEW.

Mr. Shyam Nokta is a natural resources, environmental management and climate change specialist with extensive experience in policy development, sustainability, conservation, green growth and private-sector leadership.

He previously served as Adviser to the President and Head of Guyana’s Office of Climate Change, where he played a key role in developing and implementing Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy. He was also a principal negotiator for the landmark Guyana–Norway REDD+ Partnership, which positioned Guyana as one of the first countries to receive payments for forest climate services and helped inform the evolution of international approaches to REDD+.

Mr. Nokta is the founder and principal of Environmental Management Consultants Inc., one of Guyana’s leading environmental service firms, and serves as Chief Representative for the Caribbean for The Energy and Resources Institute. His work has spanned environmental and social impact assessments, biodiversity conservation, climate policy, environmental compliance and sustainable development across sectors including energy, oil and gas, mining, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and infrastructure.

He has also played a significant role in Guyana’s private sector and institutional development, including leadership with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, the Private Sector Commission and the American Chamber of Commerce in Guyana, as well as advisory work relating to energy and local content in the petroleum sector.

Mr. Nokta holds a Master of Science in Environmental Assessment and Management with Distinction from Oxford Brookes University, a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with Distinction, and a Diploma in Tourism Studies from the University of Guyana. He has also received several academic honours, including the Fulbright Scholarship and the IDB–Japan Scholarship.

Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Executive Chairman of ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. and Certified ActionCOACH holds a Ph.D. in Management specializing in Entrepreneurship as well as an MBA and Engineering qualifications. As past president, chairman and councilor of several Business Support Organizations including the Georgetown Chamber, GO-Invest and the Bureau of Standards, Vishnu has over 20 years of private and public sector development service.

He is very passionate about personal, professional and organizational development and pursues this passion via the numerous organizations he supports. He has also lectured management, marketing, globalization and leadership to several hundred MBA graduates for AIB and UOB, and guest lectured for UWI and ALJ.

At 42, happily married and the father of one, he believes in strong family values and taking care of his physical, mental and spiritual health.

Ms. Nafeeza Gaffoor is an experienced banking professional with more than 20 years of service with Scotiabank, including seven years in Ontario, Canada. Her career has included progressive leadership roles across retail, small business banking, sales, and branch management.

Throughout her career with Scotiabank Guyana, Ms. Gaffoor has held key positions including Branch Manager and Manager of Retail and Small Business Banking. She also brings significant experience as a sales coach, with particular expertise in supporting the small business banking sector, where she spent eight years helping entrepreneurs and business clients strengthen their financial capabilities and achieve their growth objectives.

Since 2018, Ms. Gaffoor has served as Branch Manager across several Scotiabank locations in Guyana, providing leadership to teams while supporting individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses with their banking and financial needs.

Ms. Gaffoor is a member of the Association of Business Executives in the United Kingdom and holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London. Her combination of banking expertise, leadership experience, and understanding of small business makes her a strong contributor to conversations on entrepreneurship, access to financial services, and business growth.