Considered the architect and leader of the social enterprise movement in Jamaica, Saffrey has designed, tested and shown proof of concept of purpose-driven businesses to provide market-driven solutions that are sustainable and scalable. Saffrey designed and implemented the first social enterprise incubation programme in the Caribbean, which is credited as the catalyst for the rapid growth and expansion of the social enterprise sector. Experienced in shaping the policy environment to support the social economy ecosystem, Saffrey has delivered as a social entrepreneur in both the UK and Jamaica, and has provided the framework for the development of the sector in the Caribbean.
Saffrey is a 2019 Eisenhower Fellow, an IVLP Alum, Chair of the Council of Voluntary Social Services and a Director of the Peace Management Initiative and Eve for Life. In 2018, she took up her role as Vice President of North America and the Caribbean of the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW), and serves on the International Labour Office’s (ILO) Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Working Group.
Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee, Jr. is a distinguished Jamaican scientist and thought leader known for his significant contributions to the fields of geo-technology and the applied sciences. His life's work has not only advanced our understanding of geological processes, such as natural disasters and hydrology, but has also had a profound impact on the sustainable development of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.
After completing his undergraduate studies in Earth Science from the UWI, Mona, Jamaica, Dr. Lyew-Ayee continued his academic journey, earning a D.Phil. from the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
He has won numerous national and international awards for leadership and innovative research and development, but has also been dedicated to education. He has held various academic positions at the University of the West Indies, including as a senior lecturer, Head of Department of Geography and Geology, and as Founding Director of the Mona GeoInformatics Institute.
Beyond his academic and research pursuits, Dr. Lyew-Ayee is a committed community leader. He has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people in Jamaica. He has served, or has served, on many boards such as Grace Kennedy Ltd, Dairy Industries Jamaica Ltd, Scientific Research Council, International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences, Bureau of Standards Jamaica, Water Resources Authority and the National Works Agency, as well as a Vice President at the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, lending his expertise to the development of the country.
As a scientist, educator, and community leader, Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee, Jr. remains a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, dedication, and a deep love for one's homeland converge to make the world a better place.
Suzanne has 15 years’ international experience in sustainable energy and transport, CO2 mitigation and technology evaluation. Suzanne specializes in economic and financial analysis of energy and transport investments, industry analysis, business case development, and environmental valuation. She has analysed the commercial viability and investment climate for total US$ 1 billion in sustainable energy and climate resilient investments, for Caribbean governments and financing institutions.
Suzanne was also an advisor in the conceptualisation of the Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator, a new organisation established to drive resiliency in the Caribbean.
Suzanne also has expertise in the development and analysis of economic and environmental impact metrics of projects. She developed and led the economic and environmental monitoring and review of 150 energy and transport projects, while working at a Brussels-based European energy agency. Prior to returning to the Caribbean in 2015, Suzanne worked for various European institutions, advising on low-carbon energy strategies and incentives for sustainable energy development. She also worked as a consultant helping energy companies green their energy supply portfolios.
Suzanne is experienced in shaping the policy environment to be more conducive to sustainable investments. Through her work at the European Commission, and with the Caribbean Policy Research Institute in Jamaica, she has analysed, and raised policy-maker awareness of, the economic value of environmental and climate change impacts of projects.
A practicing attorney and successful entrepreneur, Philip has a long history in micro-finance and creating access for the unbanked, and understands the economic barriers to personal and national wealth creation.
A past fellow of the Partners of the Americas, a U.S. Department of State Fellowship with Accion USA in New York, Philip was also a Year 2000 nominee of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Award, has served as a director of the National Housing Trust and the Central Waste Water Treatment Company, and currently sits of the boards of the Jamaica Automobile Association, Trade Board and the St. Ann Development Company Ltd. He is managing partner of Bernard and Co. Attorneys-at-Law and Managing Director of Jamaica Small Loans and Manufacturing Limited.
Onika is the Chief Accountability & Strategy Officer at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the past Secretary-General for Automobile Mobility and Tourism of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) in France. Onika was responsible for the activities of the FIA’s mobility division, which include: facilitating the effective exchange of information and best practices among motoring organisations across the world; representing member clubs at the international and multilateral fora; and road safety; as well as co-operation for common strategies, public policies, and initiative. With a rich background in public sector, as well as national & regional social and economic development, Onika is able to meet the objectives of triple bottom line development in a real and applicable way.
Vision
To achieve a sustainable and inclusive world through innovative and sustainable local development solutions.
Mission
To develop, strengthen and support business and community models providing solutions to social, environmental and economic challenges.
Values
Integrity | Innovation | Impact
At The Leap Co, we're dedicated to fostering impactful change and sustainability. Our focus spans critical areas such as Sustainable Energy, Climate Resilience, Employment and Entrepreneurship, Citizen Safety and Security, and local Community development.
PEOPLE - PLANET - PROFIT
Our Approach
1. Guiding Principles: We specialize in supporting businesses committed to the triple bottom line: people, planet, profit. Our expertise ensures these principles are seamlessly integrated into their operations.
2. Project Excellence: We excel in project management services for sustainable development initiatives, ensuring seamless execution and tangible outcomes.
3. Expert Advice: Acting as a central knowledge hub, we offer invaluable guidance on impact investment and social entrepreneurship. With over 60 years of combined experience, our insights benefit businesses, governments, and NGOs.
Catalysts for Change
We're more than advisors—we're catalysts for transformative change. Partnering with innovators, development practitioners, businesses, and communities, we offer technical and advisory support. Our goal? To help businesses tackle significant challenges with real-world strategies and innovative tools.
Impact-Driven Solutions
At The Leap Co, we ideate, initiate, and execute solutions grounded in triple bottom line principles. Our mission is clear: to bridge impactful ideas with practical, sustainable solutions.
A Leap Forward is a core philosophy of Leap, founded out of a desire to ensure that the needs of society and the environment were firmly integrated within innovation, business and community to provide solutions to local, regional and global challenges.
By working with communities, change makers and civil society, we aim to inspire and catalyse the next generation of innovators providing sustainable solutions to real world challenges.
Through this approach, we seek to:
- Create a community of practice around the principles of triple bottom line development
- Identify, support, test and pilot new solutions to social, environmental and economic challenges
- Train and build the capacity of entrepreneurs, businesses and organisations seeking to implement inclusive and market-driven solutions to social, environmental and economic problems
- Advocate for and participate in opportunities for the growth and development of the social economy
- Assess the impact of projects and programmes within the social economy space
Ready to leap forward towards impactful change? Let's collaborate and create a lasting impact together.
