Dr. Rebecca Gookool-Bosland

Rebecca Gookool-Bosland is an accomplished development economist, researcher, and strategic leader with over two decades of experience at the intersection of economic policy, trade and industrial strategy, local economic development, and institutional strengthening. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of the West Indies, as well as an MPhil in Agricultural Economics and an LLB in Law from the University of London.

Rebecca’s professional journey bridges academia, public policy, and practical development interventions. As the current Agency General Manager of LEND (Loan for Enterprise and Network Development), she leads organizational strategy, oversees loan approval and disbursement processes, manages teams, and reports to the board, directly influencing access to finance for MSMEs in the southwest peninsula.

Previously, she served as a Technical Consultant and Assistant Coordinator at the Trade and Economic Development Unit (UWI), where she oversaw research projects and policy engagements for institutions such as the IDB, CDB, TTMA, ACS, BPTT, ANSA, and First Citizens Bank. Her research portfolio spans economic diversification, labour markets, fiscal policy, SOE governance, resource revenue management, and local content development, with outputs including policy papers, working papers, peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and books on Caribbean economic development. She has presented extensively at international conferences and has been a prominent advocate for inclusive development, trade competitiveness, and evidence-based policymaking.

Rebecca’s applied work includes designing and implementing local economic development (LED) frameworks, facilitating policy dialogues, conducting socio-economic assessments, and advising on CSR interventions in extractive industry regions. She also serves as President of the SURE Foundation, where she leads programmes focused on unemployment reduction, skills development, and community entrepreneurship.