Ministry of Social Development and Innovation Announces New Leadership for the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development

The Ministry of Social Development and Innovation (MSDI) is pleased to announce the appointments of two strong Caymanian leaders, Thais Ducent as Director and Antoleen Williams as Deputy Director of the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development (CICBD). These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for CICBD in its mission to empower small businesses and drive entrepreneurial success across the Cayman Islands.

A Mission to Empower Entrepreneurs: The CICBD plays a vital role in guiding small business owners through key strategies for managing and growing their enterprises. Through a long-term, relationship-based approach, the Centre provides tailored training, coaching, and technical support to micro and small businesses, working with enterprises at all stages of the business life cycle. Whether through its Incubator programme or non-residential services, CICBD ensures that entrepreneurs have access to the tools, resources, and mentorship they need to thrive in today’s competitive environment.

Leadership Rooted in Experience: Thais Ducent, a public servant with 27 years of experience, brings unparalleled expertise and a deep passion for small business development. Her career began in 1997 as a Clerical Officer and has since spanned multiple roles and ministries within the Government. In 2012, her focus on small business development took root during her tenure as a Business Services Officer at the Department of Commerce and Investment, where she provided hands-on guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs, designed and delivered training sessions, and championed initiatives like the now annual Small Business Expo.

Reflecting on her appointment, Thais said: “My work at CICBD is deeply inspired by the transformative journeys of our clients. Seeing entrepreneurs turn their vision into reality reaffirms my commitment to fostering growth and resilience within our small business community. Each success story fuels my passion and dedication to supporting their aspirations. Leading CICBD is not just a career milestone but also an opportunity to make a tangible impact on the small business landscape.”

This milestone reflects the power of vision and strategic succession planning in developing Caymanian leadership. As the former Deputy Chief Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, the current Chief Officer of MSDI Tamara Ebanks played a key role in driving the establishment of CICBD, with Thais playing an instrumental role on the policy side, helping to shape its foundation. Once CICBD was launched, Thais joined the organisation and was quickly recognised for her leadership potential. Through a structured succession plan, she was prepared to take on the role of Director. Now, as she steps into this position, it represents the realization of the vision she and the Chief Officer helped set in motion — fostering continued growth and leadership in the Cayman Islands’ small business sector.

Antoleen Williams, appointed as Deputy Director, complements this vision with a background that combines 17 years of entrepreneurial passion, banking, business development, consulting, and community engagement. Over the course of her career, she developed a deep passion for entrepreneurship and its transformative potential, both for individuals and the economy. This passion has been the foundation of her professional journey. From her work at the Cayman Islands Development Bank (CIDB), where she managed loan portfolios and developed financial solutions for small businesses to launching her own business coupled with her work within the small business sector, Antoleen has cultivated a deep understanding of the needs and challenges facing entrepreneurs.

Antoleen’s leadership of the Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club) pilot programme at Clifton Hunter High School has been particularly impactful, equipping students with critical business skills and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“Youth entrepreneurship is more than teaching business concepts — it’s about building confidence, resilience, and vision in our future leaders,” Antoleen shared. “Through CICBD, we aim to position the Cayman Islands as a regional leader in entrepreneurship and innovation.”

As one of CICBD’s founding team members, Antoleen has been instrumental in implementing programmes that deliver impactful results, including the Small Business Holiday Market, which enhances the economic vitality of the local community during the holiday season. Her work at the Centre represents a culmination of these experiences and passion. 

Building on a Foundation of Success Under the leadership of Thais Ducent and Antoleen Williams, CICBD will focus on:

• Training and Coaching: Delivering workshops and personalized guidance to help businesses build strong foundations and scale effectively.

• Technical Support: Providing hands-on assistance in areas such as financial planning, market research, and digital transformation.

• Incubator and Non-Residential Services: Supporting entrepreneurs through tailored resources, whether they operate within CICBD’s Incubator or independently.

• Youth Empowerment: Expanding initiatives like the E-Club to inspire and equip future business leaders.

• Data-Driven Insights: Developing a knowledge hub to provide SMEs with actionable business intelligence.

Looking Ahead: MSDI is confident the combined leadership of Thais and Antoleen, will propel CICBD to new heights. Their shared vision and expertise will ensure that the Centre remains a cornerstone of small business development, driving growth and resilience across the Cayman Islands. Chief Officer Tamara Ebanks reflected on this pivotal moment:  “These appointments represents an important step in the journey we began together, and I am pleased to see the vision we set in motion come to life. With Thais and Antoleen at the helm, CICBD is well-positioned to guide local entrepreneurs through challenges and opportunities, fostering innovation, and success for our small business community.”