Carolyn McDonald Riley

Currently the Director of the Tourism Linkages Network at the Tourism Enhancement Fund. Carolyn McDonald-Riley brings with her many years of experience in the public and private sector. 

Her current task is a priority policy area of the Ministry of Tourism and has primary responsibility for the coordination and implementation of effective and sustainable strategies to facilitate and strengthen the linkages between tourism and other economic sectors.

In her current role, she is spearheading a vital policy initiative within the Ministry of Tourism. Her principal duty involves orchestrating and executing impactful, sustainable strategies to foster and enhance the connections between the tourism industry and other sectors of the economy using the Gastronomy, Health and Wellness, Sport and Entertainment, Shopping and the Knowledge Network.

Her previous experience as an Economist for the Ministry of Tourism for over fifteen years, included administering the Incentives schemes of the tourism sector, monitoring tourism industry performance, and analyzing the impact of the economic opportunities for the tourism industry.  In addition, she has worked with a wide cross section of stakeholders representing public, private and non-government interest groups.  Mrs. McDonald-Riley has played an integral role in the development of several policies geared at sustainability, diversification, growth and promoting efficiency within the Tourism industry.   

She is also an Attorney at law and qualified to practice in Jamaica. She is a trained and certified mediator with the Dispute Resolution Foundation.  Her qualification includes an MBA from the University of the West Indies in Finance and Public Sector Management and a BSC in Economics. 

She also plays an integral role in her family business SureTime Emergency Medical.

She is an active member of Mona Baptist Church and a previous Sunday school teacher.

She is married to Joseph Riley, and they have three children, Kimada, Christi-Jo and Christian.

Mrs. McDonald Riley is also a Kiwanian and has been in the movement for over 25 years. She served as Lieutenant Governor for the year 2022-2023 for Division 23 East and has held many other positions at the District, Division and club level.