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L
ISANDRA RICKARDS was in
search of something more in her
career, something that was not
driven by dollars and cents, and soon
enough she found her home at the
Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship.
Now chief executive officer (CEO) of
the Branson Centre of Entrepreneur-
ship, Rickards left her job in finance not quite sure of what
she was going to do next.
“Then CEO of the Branson Centre – Lisa Lake – sent an
email advertising open positions at the centre. I applied, and
the rest is history,” she told
Flair
.
She works with entrepreneurs of the average age of 38
years and she found exactly what she was looking for at the
Branson Centre. Rickards now has a sense of fulfilment that
she is doing her part in the growth of Jamaica.
“We operate in a tough economic environment where
entrepreneurs face a lot of challenges. It’s inspiring to be
around the resilience and drive that pushes entrepreneurs to
pursue their dreams regardless,” she said.
Writing a memoir has been on the cards for Rickards for
some time. Truth be told ,she has even thought that she has
completed it on several occasions but there is always some-
thing else that she would like to add – another story for her
to tell.
Her aim for the memoir is to make an impact. She would
like to encourage others to follow their joy and design their
life.
Rickards is a Harvard Business School graduate. She said
that the institution is not as rigid as many think it is. Her
experience there was fun with lots of
learning. She also values being part of the
network of individuals who came through the
doors of the institution. They have built bonds
for a lifetime.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
One of the high points of her Harvard experi-
ence was being the only Jamaican featured in
CNBC documentary
The Money Chase: Inside Har-
vard Business School
. It was like being on a reality show
as the crew came in monthly for a few days at a time and
documented her daily routine. She was grateful to be
selected, but admittedly it was a bit “nerve-wracking”
because she believed that in many respects she was
representing Jamaica and Jamaicans.
She enjoys travelling and indulging in fine
cuisine. Her favourite is Asian food.
“I love all Asian food – we don’t get enough
of the diversity of options here. My absolute
favourite is Korean Bulgogi or Vietnamese Pho,”
she told
Flair
.
Rickards also enjoys going to the gym and jogging
around Mona dam ,as well as talking philosophy with
those more experienced than her.
She typically ends her hectic days with a good glass of
wine, followed by 20 minutes of meditation and Netflix.
Rickards is currently in love with Chronixx’s,
I can
.
If there was only one piece of advice she could give
youths it would be: “Don’t put yourself on a narrow
track too early; there’s such a big world out there, make
sure you explore your options.”
18
THE GLEANER’S FLAIR MAGAZINE • MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018
D
istinguished
THE
Business
Lisandra Rickards
looking for more
“We operate in a tough economic
environment where entrepreneurs face a lot of
challenges. It’s inspiring to be around the
resilience and drive that pushes entrepreneurs
to pursue their dreams regardless.”