2025
Game Changers of the Caribbean ‘
TheCaribbeanisenteringaneweraofeconomicresurgence,poweredbyleaderswho
blendregionalinsightwithglobalambition.In2025,adistinguishedgroupofbusiness executivesisnotonlyacceleratingenterprisegrowthbutalsotransformingthe Caribbeanintoadynamichubforinnovation,sustainability,andinclusivedevelopment.
Theseinfluentialleadersrepresentawidearrayofsectors—fromtourism,energy,finance,and logisticstotechnology,agriculture,andcreativeindustries.Whatsetsthemapartisnotjust theirstrategicprowess,buttheirdeepcommitmenttonation-building,jobcreation,andlongtermimpactacrosstheislands.
Theyaremodernizinglegacysectorswhilelaunchingdisruptiveventures,navigatingglobal trendswithdistinctlyCaribbeansolutions.Withasharpfocusondigitaltransformation,green economyinitiatives,andresilientinfrastructure,thesebusinessleadersarecreatingvaluethat resonatesfarbeyondtheirbalancesheets.
Fromharnessingrenewableenergytoscalingfintechstartups,fromrevitalizingthehospitality landscapetodrivingregionalsupplychains,theirleadershipisreshapingboththeeconomic andsocialfabricoftheCaribbean.Manyarealsoactivevoicesinpolicydialogue,education reform,andyouthentrepreneurship—buildingecosystemsthatfosterequityandopportunity
ThisfeaturehonorsTheMostInfluentialCaribbeanBusinessLeaderstoKnowin 2025—individualswholeadwithintegrity,innovatewithcourage,andinspirewithaction. Theirstoriesreflectthespiritoftheregion:diverse,resilient,visionary.
AstheglobalspotlightincreasinglyturnstowardCaribbeanmarkets,thesetrailblazersstandas proofthatworld-classleadershipdoesn’tonlyemergefrommajorcapitals—itrisesfromevery shore,island,andcommunitywithambition,collaboration,andpurposeatitscore.
StaywithusaswecelebratetheindividualsredefiningCaribbeanexcellenceandelevatingthe region’sroleontheworldstage.
C O V E R S T O R Y Eugene A. Rault Grullón Elevating Financial Security Standards
P R O F I L E Ivan Hooper Empowering Growth Through Financial Expertise
From Command to Collaboration: The Rise of Inclusive Leadership
Leadership Begins with Self-Awareness: The First Step to Greatness
The digitalization of the Dominican Republic has brought numerous benefits and advantages to both businesses and consumers.
experience.Thisventurewashighly successful.
Additionally,theymigratedcreditcard managementsystemstoadoptEMV technology,makingBancoPopulara pioneerintheregionbyissuingchipenabledcardsandNFCtechnology. Thishadasignificantimpactonthe userexperienceandledtoasubstantial declineincreditanddebitcardfraud. Innovationisdeeplyingrainedin GrupoPopular'svalues,evident throughoutitsaffiliates.
AdvancingDigitalTransformationin theDominicanRepublic
In2013,GrupoPopulartaskedhim withestablishingandensuringthe viabilityofanewsubsidiary,Servicios DigitalesPopular,anditsbrands, AZULandAVANCE.Thestrategic visionbehindthismovewastoaddress thelackofinnovationthatreigned throughoutthepaymentsindustryin theDominicanRepublicatthetime. Themarketwasdominatedbyasingle company,exhibitingsignsofmonopolisticdominanceandanon-competitive environment,includingpoorservice andnon-existentinvestmentsin innovation.
ingcomplexityandsimplifyingdigital lifeforeveryone.
DevelopingDigitalTransformation InspiredbyGlobalPerspectives
GrupoPopular'sapproachtoinnovationanddigitaltransformationinthe Dominicanfinancialindustryhasbeen heavilyinfluencedbyglobalperspectives.Byobservingandlearningfrom thebestpracticesandstrategies implementedbyfinancialtechnology leadersworldwide,thecompanyhas beenabletoadaptandimplement world-classsolutionstailoredtothe specificneedsoftheDominican Republic.
Thiscommitmenttosuperiorityand constantimprovementhasallowed GrupoPopulartoremainatthe forefrontoffinancialtechnology innovation,providinghigh-quality digitalservicesthatbenefitthelocal community.Thecompanytakespride incontinuallyprogressingnew productsandserviceswithinthe region,identifyingcustomerneeds,and servicingthemproactively
throughitsAZULApp,whichalso enablesbusinessestomanageall aspectsofpaymentacceptance.More recently,theapphasbeenenhancedto allownewcustomerstoself-serveand enrolldigitally,enablingthemtostart acceptingpaymentsinminuteswithout humanintervention.
Bycontinuouslyadaptingglobalbest practicesandstrategiestothelocal market,GrupoPopularhasmaintained acultureofinnovation,working closelywithitscustomerstocreate solutionsthatallowthemtosellmore andbetter.
Leadership
andTeamBuildingfor Digital
Success
Hebelievesthataleader'sroleisto facilitateandmotivatetheirteamto reachtheirfullpotential.Toachieve this,hesurroundshimselfwith extraordinaryprofessionalswhoshare hisgoals.Herejectsthecommon approachofhiringteammemberswho donotchallengehispositionor standingwithinthecompany.Instead, heseeksindividualswhoconstantly challengehimandareoutspokenin theiropinions.
GrupoPopularsawanopportunityfor disruptionanddecidedtocreateand investinAZUL.Thenewcompany wasfoundedonthreecorevalues: Innovation,CustomerService,and Security.Thisformulaaimedtoadd genuinevaluetocustomersand businesses,helpingthemachieve greaterefficienciesandsalesgrowth.
Hebuiltanextraordinaryteamwiththe capabilitytounderstandthespecific needsofcustomersandadaptsolutions tomeetthemeffectively.Asa company,theyarecommittedto offeringdigitalservicesthatnotonly meetbutexceedexpectations,embrac-
Insomecases,GrupoPopularhasbeen aheadoflocalcustomerdemandsby followingglobalandindustryperspectives.Forexample,thecompanywas oneofthefirstregionalplayersinthe acquiringindustrytoadapt100%ofits terminalstoacceptNFCpayments. Additionally,thecompanyinvested heavilyinane-commercepayments gatewaybeforetheDominican commercialmarketwasinterestedin suchsolutions,allowingittobecome synonymouswithe-commerceand significantlygrowitsonlinetransactionsby770%from2018totheendof 2023.
GrupoPopularhasalsoimplemented innovativesolutionssuchastap-onphone,QR,andonlinepaymentlinks
Bymanagingthesediverseperspectiveseffectively,heleveragesthe collectivebrainpowerandpotentialof histeamtodriveinnovationand success.AtServiciosDigitalesPopular, hehasbuiltunparalleledteamsthat havedifferentiatedthecompany throughworld-classservicesand groundbreakinginnovations.He encourageseveryonetocontributetheir uniqueperspectivesandpromotesagile methodologiesthatfostercontinuous collaborationandrapidadaptationto marketchanges.
DrivingElectronicPaymentMethodsintheDominicanRepublic
TheCentralBankoftheDominican Republichasreportedasignificant increaseinelectronicpaymentmethods inrecentyears.Thistrendisdrivenby severalkeyfactors,includingthe COVID-19pandemic,whichhas acceleratedthedemandforcontactless paymentsolutions.Additionally, consumersareincreasinglyseeking convenienceandspeedintransactions, preferringpaymentmethodsthatallow forquickandsecuretransactions withouttheneedforcash.
Thegrowinguseofsmartphonesand internetaccesshasalsomadedigital paymentsmoreaccessibleand convenientforalargepartofthe population.Forbusinesses,providing frictionlessandeasypaymentoptions iscrucialtofacilitatingthecustomer experienceandincreasingsales. Electronicpaymentmethodshave becomeessentialformodernbusinesses,allowingthemtosell morewhileprovidingaseamlessuser experience.
EducatingStakeholdersabout DigitalPayments
Educatingstakeholdersaboutthe paymentecosystemhasbeenacrucial priorityforhim.Herecallstheearly daysofinnovationintheDominican market,whereintegratedandselfserviceterminalswereintroducedto bringhighvolumesfrommega merchants.Thepublic'sresponsewas overwhelminglypositive,highlighting themodernaspectsandsecuritythese terminalsprovided.
Everyinnovationordisruptionrequires educatingandeliminatingfriction causedbyignoranceorfear,bothfrom merchantsandendcardholders.The valueofthesechangesisevident,and peopleadaptandacceptthem.His commitmentistocreateanenvironmentwhereeveryonefeelssecureand empoweredtoadoptdigitalpayments.
Toachievethis,heprioritizeseducatingstakeholdersthroughplatforms, digitalchannels,andpersonalized support.Histeamistrainedtobuild strongrelationshipswithclients, helpingthemnavigatetheeverchangingpaymentschemesinthe market.
I
believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration, fostering an environment where open communication and feedback are essential, and each person feels valued and motivated to contribute with their ideas.
MitigatingRisksandEnsuring SecurityinElectronicPayments
Heandhiscompanieshaveprioritized addressingtherisksandsecurity concernsassociatedwiththeriseof electronicpayments.Servicios DigitalesPopularwasfoundedonthe principleofensuringtheintegrityof thepaymentecosystemthrough advancedtechnologicalsolutions, rigorousmonitoring,andearly detectionsystemsthatalerton suspiciouspatterns,reducingtherisk offraudandmoneylaundering.
Tomitigaterisks,theyhavedeveloped toolstodetectandpreventfraud,
partneredwithcompaniesdedicatedto protectingtheecosystem,andcontractedworld-leadingservicesto protectcriticalinformationfrom cybersecuritythreats.WithPCI credentialsandFiserv'sworld-class technologies,theyarewell-equippedto protecttheecosystemandensurea satisfactoryexperienceforclients.
DigitalTransformationinthe DominicanRepublic:Benefitsand Advantages
ThedigitalizationoftheDominican Republichasbroughtnumerous benefitsandadvantagestoboth businessesandconsumers.For businesses,digitalizationhasenabled automationofadministrativeand operationalprocesses,reducingthe timeandcostsassociatedwithmanual tasks.E-commerceplatformshavealso openednewopportunitiesforbusinessesofallsizes,allowingthemto reachabroaderaudiencenationally andinternationally
Thedigitalizationoffinancial transactionshasenhancedsecurityand transparency,reducingtheriskoffraud anderrors.Businessescannow monitorandtrackalloperationsin real-time,ensuringgreaterintegrityin
theirfinancialprocesses.For cardholders,digitalizationhasprovided greaterflexibilityandconveniencein dailytransactions,enablingthemto accessfinancialservicesfrom anywhereandatanytimethrough mobiledevices.
Theavailabilityofmultipleelectronic paymentmethodshascontributedto thefinancialinclusionandeconomic developmentofcommunities,especiallyinruralorlow-incomeareas.To facilitatedigitaltransformation, companieshavelauncheddigital applicationsandplatforms,suchasthe AZULApp,designedtobeintuitive andeasytouse,facilitatingadoption byallsegments.
PersonalQualitiesandExperiences ContributingtoSuccessinDigital Innovation
Reflectingonhiscareerjourney,he attributeshissuccessindrivingdigital innovationandtransformationinthe financialsectortoseveralpersonal qualitiesandexperiences.Hisclear visionoftechnology'spotentialto transformthefinancialsectorand improvepeople'sliveshasguidedhis strategicgoalsandalignedtheefforts ofGrupoPopulartowardsacommon
purposedefinedbytheBoardof Directors.
Hispassionforinnovationand technologicaladvancementhasdriven himtostayupdatedonthelatesttrends anddevelopments,explorenewideas, andfindcreativesolutionsto challenges.Thisinnovativeand constantlyevolvingsectorrequiresthe abilitytoquicklyadapttochangesand learnfromnewexperiences,whichhe hascultivatedthroughcontinuous learningandseekingnewopportunitiestoacquireknowledgeand skills.
Hebelievesinthepowerof teamworkandcollaboration, fosteringanenvironment whereopencommunication andfeedbackareessential, andeachpersonfeels valuedandmotivatedto contributetheirideas. Thiscollaborative approachhasallowed creativityandinnovationtoflourishwithin theorganization.
From Command to C o l l a b o r at i o n : The Rise of INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP
Intheageoftoday'sfast-pacedbusiness,theold
command-and-controlleadershipstyleoffixed hierarchy,dominance,andtop-downcommandis rapidlyvanishing.Employeesnolongeryieldtoleadership thatstemsfromfearorimpositionfromabovewithout justification.Rather,theyneedpurpose,autonomy,and belonging.Thecultureofworktodaydemandsleadersto practicedialogue,notdictum,andcollaboration,not compulsion.
TheEssenceofInclusiveLeadership
Inclusiveleadershipischaracterizedbyacommitmentto appreciatingdiverseideas,feelingofbelonging,andan environmentwhereallvoicesareheardandvalued.Itshifts fromdecision-makerleadershiptofacilitatorwhomakes teamworkpossible.Suchleaderswelcomedifferencesby gender,culture,background,experience,andthinking becausetheyknowinclusionisnotonlytherightthingto do—it'ssmarter.
WhyInclusionIsInnovation
Therearemoreexperiencesandviewpointsfromdiverse teams,leadingtomoreinnovativesolutionsandmoresound decision-making.Questioningideasandinnovationismade respectablebyinclusiveleadersbecauseemployeesare valuedandempowered.Organizationsthataredrivenby inclusionhavehigherengagementandloyaltylevels, somethingthatdirectlytranslatestoimprovedperformance andlong-termsuccess.
Self-AwarenessandEmpathyattheLeadershipDriver
Atthecenterofinclusiveleadershipisemotional intelligence—self-awarenessandempathyinthiscase. Theseleadersactivelyrecognizetheirownbiasand consciouslyattempttocounterit.Theyseekfeedback constantly,takeresponsibilitywhentheyarewrong,and viewleadershipasalearningprocess.Theirempathybuilds trustandopencommunication,andindividualsfeelheard andvalued.
EmpoweringVoices,NotJustFillingSeats
Trueinclusionisn'trepresentation.It'sputtingpeopleonthe platformandinthetoolstomakeanimpact.Inclusive leadersseekoutandremovebarrierstogrowth,provide equalopportunity,andamplifyunderrepresentedvoices. Theydon'tmerelybringdiversitytothetable—instead, theyensureit'sheard,valued,andincludedinstrategic direction.
TechnologyasanEnablerofInclusion
Emergingtechnologyandsoftwareprovideexcellent backupforinclusiveleadership.Technologylike collaborationsoftware,real-timesurveysofengagement, anddata-drivenfeedbacksystemsenableleaderstoremain engagedwiththeirteams.Suchsystemsgiveinsightsinto teamdynamics,revealgapsininclusion,andmonitorlongtermprogress.Technologyaside,however,itistheleader's attitudeandbehaviorthatfinallydetermineinclusive culture.
BuildingResilienceThroughInclusion
Whenuncertaintystrikes,inclusiveteamsareresilient. Whentheyfeelvalued,respected,andsafe,theywillbe inclinedtotakerisks,assistothers,andacceptchange.
Inclusiveleadershipprovidespsychologicalsafety—a resiliencerecipe.Suchteamshencerecovermorequickly fromfailureandaremoreresistanttodisruption.
BalancingAuthoritywithEmpowerment
Inclusiveleadershipisnotthesameasgivingupauthority ordecision-makingrights.It'smoreaboutrewritinghow powergetsused.Theleadersstillguidevisionand responsibilitybutinsuchawayastoempowerothersto makeadifference.Thattensioncreatesanownership culturewheremembersowntheirseatandthecauseboth.
TheTangibleBusinessBenefitsofInclusion
Suchinclusiveleadership-drivenbusinessesgainthemost. Inclusivebusinessesareeconomicallystronger,more innovativeandmoreattractivetobesttalents,asresearch bearsout.Theyhavegreaterstaffretention,customerbases ofdiversebasesandbrandloyalty.Intoday'smore competitiveglobaleconomy,inclusionisnotonlyacultural normbutalsoabusinessnecessity
ANewEraofLeadership
Thetransitionfromcommandtocollaborationasa leadershipmodelisarevolutionofthedefinitionof leadershipitself.Itchallengesleaderstobeauthentic,listen moreprofoundly,andliftothersup.It'snotaboutbeing perfect—it'saboutbeingfullypresent,humble,and dedicatedtoongoinggrowth.Inclusiveleadershipisthe future,witharecipeforlong-termsuccessinaworldthat's beggingformoreempathy,agility,andcollectivepurpose.
Aswecontinuetostepintothisnewera,thosewholead withinclusionwillnotonlychangetheir organizations—thosewholeadwithinclusionwillredefine leadership.
Today,weareadiversifiedorganizationspanningmultiple jurisdictionsandofferingservicesinfundadministration, corporatefinance,andsportsmanagement.Ourfoundation isbuiltonacommitmenttoserviceexcellenceandlongtermrelationships,whichdriveustoinnovateandadaptin anever-changingglobalmarket.
Whatmotivatesyoutoleadandinspireyourteam towardsachievingbusinessgoals?
Leadershipisaboutcreatinganenvironmentwherepeople canthrive.Forme,thismeansfosteringgrowth—notjustin numbersbutinthecareersandlivesofourteammembers. Thecompany’ssuccesstranslatesintolivelihoodsformany families,andthatresponsibilitymotivatesmedaily. Additionally,Iamdrivenbythethrillofachieving ambitiousgoalsandthesenseofpurposethatcomesfrom contributingtosomethinglargerthanoneself.
Howdoyoubalanceshort-termsuccesswithlong-term sustainabilityinyourbusinessstrategy?
Short-termsuccessesaremilestonesonthepathto achievinglong-termvision.AtWinterbotham,every
decisionalignswithourcommitmenttosustainability Whetherit’sinvestingintechnology,nurturingtalent,or adaptingtoregulatoryshifts,wefocusonlayinga foundationthatensuresweremainrelevantandresilientfor decadestocome.
Canyoushareasignificantchallengeyoufacedasa businessleaderandhowyouovercameit?
Transitioningleadershipfromonegenerationtothenext wasadefiningmoment.Earningthetrustofthosewho workedcloselywithmyfatherrequiredpatience, transparency,andalignment.Weengagedinleadership developmentprogramsthatunitedourteamaroundshared goals,ultimatelyemergingstrongerandmorecohesiveas anorganization.
Howdoyoufosterapositiveandinclusiveworkculture inyourorganization?
Transparencyandcommunicationareattheheartofour culture.Everyonedeservestoknowwherewestand,where we’reheaded,andhowtheycontributetothejourney We celebratediversityacrossculturesandgeographies,andour
– John C. Maxwell “
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
