Event Agenda

      Mr. Ishmael Quiroz is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the national and international civil service with a focus on private-sector development in Belize. He has demonstrated expertise in public-private dialogue, investment and trade promotion, socio-economic development, business climate reform and innovation. Ishmael has led transformative initiatives, including the modernization of Belize’s Companies Act, the advancement of digital transformation and the expansion of entrepreneurship and microenterprise growth with a view to sustainable economic and social impact.

     Ishmael currently serves as the Executive Director of BELTRAIDE, Belize's trade and investment promotion agency and previously spent nearly a decade in the Office of the Prime Minister as Director of Public-Private Dialogue. Prior to that, he also spent nearly a decade with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), specializing in private-sector operations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Management from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom and a Master of Science in Economics from Galen University, Belize.

     He is also a Paul Harris Fellow with a distinguished history of leadership, including two terms as President of the Rotary Club of Belmopan, and also serves on the Board of Directors of the Belize Audubon Society and Finance Belize.

      Ronelli Isabel Requena is a Belizean entrepreneur, fashion designer, and Founder and Creative Director of Zayvha Sarai Limited, a Belizean fashion business established in 2016. With a passion for sewing that began in childhood, she transformed her creative skills into a growing enterprise, evolving from a small, home-based operation into an established studio specializing in bespoke bridal wear, evening gowns, and contemporary designs inspired by Belize’s cultural heritage. Today, she leads a small team dedicated to bringing creative visions to life through craftsmanship and thoughtful design.

     A former Meteorological Officer, Ronelli made the bold decision to pursue entrepreneurship, navigating the challenges of building a business while developing her expertise in design, production, and business management. Her entrepreneurial journey has been recognized with the Youth in Entrepreneurship Award from the Department of Youth Services in 2023 and the Creative Entrepreneur of the Year Award at BELTRAIDE’s BLAZE Awards in 2024.

      Beyond her own enterprise, Ronelli is a Co-founder and Treasurer of NIME Belize, where she contributes to initiatives that support women entrepreneurs through mentorship, business development, and access to opportunities. She also champions Belize’s creative economy through collaborative initiatives such as Flavaz of the Jewel, a platform that creates opportunities forBelizean designers and artisans.

      Through her journey, Ronelli demonstrates how passion, creativity, and perseverance can be transformed into a sustainable business that creates economic opportunities, preserves cultural heritage, and contributes to Belize’s entrepreneurial landscape.

MSME Roadshow recap video playing, PM interview with MSMEs, Meeting with investors BIS, House meeting presentation, His Entrepreneurial Journey.

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    Amira Correa-Pelayo is a Belizean entrepreneur, business leader, and an advocate for entrepreneurship, women's economic empowerment, and sustainable business development. She is the Founder of Sangria Mia, a proudly Belizean artisanal beverage brand established in 2020. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Amira has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and building a locally rooted business with a vision for growth and meaningful impact.

    Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Amira has contributed to Belize's private sector through her past service as an Executive Council Member of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), where she actively participated in discussions and initiatives supporting business development, collaboration, and the advancement of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

    Her dedication to entrepreneurship and women's economic empowerment has also extended internationally through her participation in the Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and the TaiwanICDF Women's Economic Empowerment Project, including a SME Digital Transformation Strategies workshop in Taiwan.

    With a Master's degree in Project Management and firsthand experience navigating the evolving realities of entrepreneurship, Amira brings a practical and forward-thinking perspective to conversations about business resilience, innovation, and emerging opportunities. She believes that the future of entrepreneurship lies not only in embracing innovation and adapting to change, but also in fostering collaboration, empowering entrepreneurs, and creating sustainable businesses capable of driving meaningful economic and social progress.

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      Mr. Ishmael Quiroz is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the national and international civil service with a focus on private-sector development in Belize. He has demonstrated expertise in public-private dialogue, investment and trade promotion, socio-economic development, business climate reform and innovation. Ishmael has led transformative initiatives, including the modernization of Belize’s Companies Act, the advancement of digital transformation and the expansion of entrepreneurship and microenterprise growth with a view to sustainable economic and social impact.

     Ishmael currently serves as the Executive Director of BELTRAIDE, Belize's trade and investment promotion agency and previously spent nearly a decade in the Office of the Prime Minister as Director of Public-Private Dialogue. Prior to that, he also spent nearly a decade with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), specializing in private-sector operations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Management from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom and a Master of Science in Economics from Galen University, Belize.

     He is also a Paul Harris Fellow with a distinguished history of leadership, including two terms as President of the Rotary Club of Belmopan, and also serves on the Board of Directors of the Belize Audubon Society and Finance Belize.

      Lester Pech is a technology professional with a background in software development, systems architecture, and digital transformation, bringing experience across both the public and private sectors. He currently serves as Director at the Ministry of E-Governance, Government of Belize, where he contributes to advancing the country's digital transformation agenda and modernizing public service delivery.

      With 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry within the private sector, his professional background includes technology infrastructure, systems integration, software development, and business process automation. This experience has provided him with a practical understanding of how technology can address operational challenges, improve organizational efficiency, and support innovation.

      In his current government role, Lester focuses on strengthening digital government capabilities, cybersecurity, interoperability, and the adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

      Combining technical expertise, private-sector experience, and public-sector leadership, Lester brings a practical perspective on how technology and innovation can drive economic growth, empower businesses, and accelerate Belize's digital transformation.

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     Efren Perez is a tourism leader and private sector advocate with extensive experience in destination development, regional tourism integration, and sustainable tourism policy across Belize and Central America. He currently serves as National President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) and as Pro Tempore President of FEDECATUR, the Federation of Chambers of Tourism of Central America and the Dominican Republic.

     He holds a Master’s Degree in Marketing and Digital Media, which has strengthened his expertise in strategic communications, destination branding, digital transformation, and tourism market development. His academic background complements his practical leadership in advancing tourism competitiveness and innovation across the region.

     With a strong background in tourism management and stakeholder engagement, Mr. Perez previously served from 2016 to 2024 as President of the BTIA Corozal Chapter, where he worked closely with local and regional authorities to strengthen sustainable tourism development, destination competitiveness, and private sector participation in Belize’s tourism industry.

     In 2023, he was appointed as BTIA’s official representative to FEDECATUR, where he has played an active role in fostering regional tourism alliances among Central American countries, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Belize. His work focuses on strengthening cross-border tourism, promoting multi-destination travel, facilitating knowledge exchange, and advancing strategic partnerships that improve regional tourism resilience and competitiveness.

     As a tourism marketing consultant, Mr. Perez also advises hospitality brands and resorts in Belize on strategic marketing, product development, brand positioning, and guest experience enhancement, helping properties align with evolving international travel trends and market demands.

     His leadership reflects a strong commitment to innovation, public-private collaboration, and sustainable economic growth through tourism. Through both BTIA and FEDECATUR, he continues to champion initiatives that support entrepreneurship, youth leadership, regional integration, and the development of more inclusive and resilient tourism economies.

     Mr. Perez’s participation in the ENTRECON aligns closely with his vision of empowering the next generation of leaders, expanding regional cooperation, and strengthening the role of tourism as a driver of social and economic transformation.

      Manuela Lue has twenty years of global experience in multiple industries. She has worked in the USA, England and Belize in for government, private sector and nonprofit organizations. Manuela also has experience working with international financial institutions such as Crown Agents, Millenium Challenge Corporation and the Interamerican Development Bank. Her record of accomplishment developing, leading and participating in projects has brought about transformational change. She is the first Belizean to win the Commonwealth Youth Worker Award for the Caribbean and Americas regions from The Commonwealth in the United Kingdom.

      Manuela is a motivational and enthusiastic leader possessing strong analytical, interpersonal and presentation skills. Her main areas of expertise include private sector development, technical and vocational education research and analysis, financial analysis, nonprofit management, administration, research, financial reporting, entrepreneurship, stakeholder engagement, networking, planning and writing. She is currently the Project Coordinator for the Catalyze Her Potential Project, facilitated by Nime Belize Inc. and partly funded by the IDB Lab.

      Manuela has a Master’s in Business Administration (International Banking and Finance) with distinction from the University of Birmingham in England. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from John Carroll University in Ohio, U.S.A.

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      Monique Usher is the Deputy Executive Director of BELTRAIDE, Belize’s national trade and investment promotion agency. She brings more than a decade of experience in business advisory services, programme management, and institutional leadership, focused on expanding opportunities for Belizean enterprises.

      In her current role, she coordinates planning across BELTRAIDE’s technical units, guides strategy implementation and programme development, and supports the Executive Director in advancing organizational transformation. She works with government, private sector, and development partners to translate strategic priorities into initiatives across entrepreneurship, investment promotion, export development, and workforce development.

      Previously, as Manager of SBDCBelize, Monique managed the Government of Belize’s BZ$14.5 million COVID-19 relief programme for MSMEs. She led initiatives advancing women’s entrepreneurship, access to finance, and business capabilities, and contributed to the Belize Investment and Business Climate Action Plan. Her regional experience includes collaboration with Caribbean and Central American partners to strengthen enterprise support and exchange effective practices. Monique has a keen interest in developing others and creating opportunities for professional growth.

      Since joining BELTRAIDE in 2013 as an intern, she has progressed through communications, business advisory, and management roles. This experience informs a practical approach to leadership, grounded in the needs of entrepreneurs and the development of the people who serve them.       She holds a master’s degree in International Business Administration from MIU City University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Belize. She has also taught entrepreneurship and organizational behaviour at Galen University.

      Tanisha Vernon is a Belizean entrepreneur, educator, and community advocate, widely recognized as the founder and owner of Tuk-Tuk Belize, the nation’s first solar- and electric-powered transportation and tour company. Through Tuk-Tuk Belize, she is pioneering a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable way for both locals and international visitors to experience the beauty, culture, and vibrancy of Belize.

      Before launching Tuk-Tuk Belize, Ms. Vernon built a diverse professional career across multiple fields. She began as a teacher at Queen Square Anglican Primary School, shaping the lives of young students through education. She later served as a sales representative for United Airlines, where she honed her skills in customer service and hospitality. In 2011, fueled by her passion for business, she ventured into entrepreneurship as the owner of J’adore Studio Boutique, a fashion-forward business that reflected her creativity and drive.

      Ms. Vernon has consistently pursued higher education to strengthen her professional expertise. She graduated from St. John’s College Junior College (SJCJC) with a degree in General Studies. She later earned her Paralegal Degree from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and Bachelor's Degree in Business and Human Resource Management at Campbellsville University in Kentucky.

      In addition to her entrepreneurial journey, Ms. Vernon served for the past four years as the International Recruiter – Belize for Campbellsville University, where she successfully assisted more than 30 Belizean students in acquiring international scholarships and study-abroad opportunities. Her work in this role reflects her enduring commitment to empowering the next generation of Belizeans through access to education.

      Beyond her professional achievements, she has been actively engaged in giving back to her community through participation on school boards, charities and various committees, ensuring that her leadership and contributions extend well beyond her businesses.

      Today, Ms. Vernon continues to champion innovation, sustainability, and opportunity in Belize. Through Tuk-Tuk Belize, she not only provides eco-friendly tourism experiences but also embodies the spirit of resilience and progress that defines the future of Belizean entrepreneurship.

      Emil C. Pinelo is a Belizean accounting and financial management professional with more than two decades of experience in accounting, auditing, taxation, payroll administration and business advisory services. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Emil C. Pinelo and Associates, which he established in November 2014 in Belmopan, Belize.

      Through his firm, Emil helps businesses and organizations across diverse industries strengthen their financial operations, improve internal controls and meet their reporting and statutory obligations. His expertise includes financial statement preparation, budgeting and forecasting, accounting systems implementation, audit preparation, and the development of financial policies and procedures. He also provides practical training that equips clients and their teams to maintain reliable financial records and make informed business decisions.

      Emil began his professional career as an Audit Analyst with Deloitte Belize (HLB). He later held accounting and leadership positions with Dimension Development LLC, Unicomer Belize, Sacred Heart Inc and the Mena Group of Companies. These roles developed his experience in financial reporting, budget management, inventory controls and team supervision, as well as advising management on financial performance and operational improvements.

He holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Galen University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Belize, and an Associate Degree in Accounting from St. John’s College Junior College. He earned summa cum laude honours at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

      Alongside his professional work, Emil has contributed to community and civic initiatives as a member and director of the Rotary Clubs of Belmopan and Belize City Sunrise. He is also a past board member of Help for Progress and served as a commissioner of the City of Belmopan from 2021 to 2023.

      Emil combines technical knowledge with practical business guidance to help organizations establish sound financial systems, develop their teams and plan for sustainable growth. Outside of his work environment and career, Emil is a dedicated husband to Kira Pinelo, and a dad to three children, Ethan and Evin Pinelo and Jose Luis Chanek.

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      Mr. Ishmael Quiroz is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the national and international civil service with a focus on private-sector development in Belize. He has demonstrated expertise in public-private dialogue, investment and trade promotion, socio-economic development, business climate reform and innovation. Ishmael has led transformative initiatives, including the modernization of Belize’s Companies Act, the advancement of digital transformation and the expansion of entrepreneurship and microenterprise growth with a view to sustainable economic and social impact.

     Ishmael currently serves as the Executive Director of BELTRAIDE, Belize's trade and investment promotion agency and previously spent nearly a decade in the Office of the Prime Minister as Director of Public-Private Dialogue. Prior to that, he also spent nearly a decade with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), specializing in private-sector operations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Management from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom and a Master of Science in Economics from Galen University, Belize.

     He is also a Paul Harris Fellow with a distinguished history of leadership, including two terms as President of the Rotary Club of Belmopan, and also serves on the Board of Directors of the Belize Audubon Society and Finance Belize.