Transformations at last? The MIPYMES in Cuban Economy and Society

This event will be held in Spanish with English interpretation.

This conference will analyze the impact of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MIPYMES) in contemporary Cuban society. The primary objective is to better understand the roles MIPYMES play in Cuba’s economic life, job creation, and innovation. There has been significant debate around the nature, purposes, and economic and political functions of these enterprises. This is an opportunity to learn from the Cuban entrepreneurs currently leading these efforts on the island.

Agenda:

9:00 am - Breakfast

9:45 am - Welcoming Remarks
 Alejandro de la Fuente, Robert Woods Bliss Professor of Latin American History and Economics; Professor of African and African American Studies; Chair, Cuba Studies Program; Director, Afro-Latin American Research Institute.

10:00 am - Introductory Panel 

Speakers: 

-Ileana Díaz, Professor at the University of Havana and Coordinator of the Entrepreneurship Network at the University of Havana.

-Juan Carlos Albizu,  Professor-Researcher at the Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue (CCRD-Cuba).

-Omar Everleny Pérez, Economist and Professor affiliated with the Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue, Cuba

-Pedro Monreal, Ph.D. in Economics, former specialist at UNESCO, and member of the Association of Former UNESCO Staff Members (AFUS).

10:45 am - First Panel: Cuba's MIPYMES: Structural Conditions, Rules of the Game, and Pricing Strategies

Speakers:

-Diana Figueroa, Chef and Owner of Jibaro restaurant and co-founder of La Mata and ConBAC. 

-Adriana Heredia, Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Roots.

-Lauren Fajardo, Co-founder and Creative Director of Dador.

Moderators: Pedro Monreal, Ph.D. in Economics, former specialist at UNESCO, and member of the Association of Former UNESCO Staff Members (AFUS) and Omar Everleny, Economist and Professor affiliated with the Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue, Cuba.

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm - Lunch

1:45 pm - 3:45 pm - Second Panel: The New Norms of August 2024: Redefining State Policies Towards MIPYMES in Cuba and Its Likely Impact 

Speakers:

-Marta Deus, CEO of Mandao. 

-Oniel Díaz, Co-founder and Partner of AUGE.

-Oscar Fernández, Co-founder and CEO of Deshidratados Habana SURL.

Moderators: Ileana Díaz, Professor at the University of Havana and Coordinator of the Entrepreneurship Network at the University of Havana and Juan Carlos Albizu, Professor-Researcher at the Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue (CCRD-Cuba).

3:45 pm - Closing Remarks

Alejandro de la Fuente, Robert Woods Bliss Professor of Latin American History and Economics; Professor of African and African American Studies; Chair, Cuba Studies Program; Director, Afro-Latin American Research Institute.

Speaker and Moderator Biographies:

Oniel Díaz
Co-founder and Partner of AUGE, a private Cuban consulting and corporate services company. Advisor to over 300 private enterprises in Cuba on strategic, regulatory, marketing, and communication issues. Previously worked in the Cuban biotechnology industry and served as Managing Partner for Cuba at Kreab. Published in various media outlets and a panelist at numerous national and international workshops and conferences. Holds a Master's in International Political Relations (ISRI) and a Diploma in Foreign Commerce (INCOMEX).

Oscar Fernández
Co-founder and CEO of Deshidratados Habana SURL, the first Cuban company to export dehydrated fruits. Holds a PhD in Economics and was a Professor and Researcher at the School of Economics, University of Havana. He founded Deshidratados Habana in 2021, focusing on dehydrated food production, with distribution contracts in Cuba and exports to Europe.

Diana Figueroa 
Chef and Owner of Jibaro restaurant and co-founder of La Mata and ConBAC, promoting Cuban cocktails and mixology. Former Nuclear Engineering graduate with a PhD in Physics, Figueroa transitioned into the culinary field and founded Jibaro and other food ventures. Holds a Master’s degree in Gastronomy and Culinary Management from Valencia, Spain.

Marta Deus
CEO of Mandao and a prominent entrepreneur in Havana, Cuba. She co-founded Deus Expertos Contables, a business consulting firm, and ‘Negolution’, a digital magazine for Cuban entrepreneurs. Deus is also the founder of Cuba's first delivery company and an active participant in developing start-up culture in Cuba.

Ileana Díaz
Professor at the University of Havana and Coordinator of the Entrepreneurship Network at the University of Havana. Holds a Doctorate in Economic Sciences and has numerous national and foreign publications on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Adriana Heredia
Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Roots, promoting Afro Cuban culture. An economist and educator, Heredia co-founded the first innovation incubator at the University of Havana and leads initiatives that integrate cultural heritage with economic innovation.

Lauren Fajardo
Co-founder and Creative Director of Dador, a Cuban fashion and lifestyle brand. A graduate of the Institute of Design in Havana, Fajardo has an extensive background in creative direction, fashion design, and production.

Omar Everleny Pérez Villanueva
Economist and Professor affiliated with the Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue, Cuba. Holds a PhD and has extensive experience in academic and professional engagements in various countries. Published widely and served as a visiting professor and scholar at multiple international institutions.

Juan Carlos Albizu-Campos Espiñeira
Professor-Researcher at the Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue (CCRD-Cuba), with degrees in Industrial Economics and Demography. Published numerous works on Cuba's demographic and economic conditions.

Pedro Monreal
Ph.D. in Economics, former specialist at UNESCO, and member of the Association of Former UNESCO Staff Members (AFUS). Has a background in international development and social transformations, with extensive publications and academic contributions on Cuba.