Ms Najuequa Barnes
BSc., LLB., MSc., CIPM
Najuequa Barnes is a Certified information Privacy Professional, Corporate Consultant, Development Professional and Adjunct Lecturer. Her professional experience spans the public and private sector, managing high level research, providing advisory consultation on varying data privacy, corporate and international developmental issues for companies both locally and internationally.
With a hands-on approach, she has guided public and private sector entities in crafting customized data privacy strategies aligned with Jamaica’s Data Protection Act, 2020. Drawing from her expertise cultivated at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she spearheaded research and training initiatives on GDPR compliance, she now focuses on raising awareness and sensitizing MSMEs to embrace a culture of data privacy.
She guides companies in designing their complete data privacy framework, including re-engineering processes in alignment with data protection regulations, as well as redrafting company policies. She also provides tailored and comprehensive data privacy workshops, empowering staff members as guardians of data protection within their organizations, using a workbook she has designed and is personalised for each organization’s needs. Her integrated approach underscores the importance of aligning organizational practices with evolving data protection regulations.
Najuequa has also engaged in extensive consultation with international and local organisations, on a myriad of matters impacting businesses in Jamaica. This includes: UNDP – Jamaica’s adaptation of a digital economy; PIOJ- Jamaica National Linkages Strategy; Nexus Consulting & Global Affairs Canada – Climate Finance Coordination Initiative in Jamaica; World Bank – exploring strategies for the digitization of businesses in Jamaica; UN Partnership Forum – discussions on the status of the SDGs in Jamaica and Vision 2030; fhi360 – explored opportunities to address shortage of technical and skilled labour in Jamaica within the agricultural sector; Jamaica House – discussed approaches to skills and digital transformation in Jamaica’s adaptation of a digital economy; HEART NSTA TRUST - discussed approaches to addressing Jamaica’s labour shortage; IDB – played a key role in establishing a Sector Skills Council in Jamaica.
As an adjunct lecturer, Najuequa has lectured a number of law courses at the tertiary level, including students pursuing the University of London Bachelor of Law programme. She has assisted with course development, as well as received an appointment as course leader. She has designed and engaged in curriculum development, providing corporate training to C-suite executives, as well as staff at all organizational levels.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of the West Indies, Mona in International Relations, with a minor in Social Policy and Administration. She earned a law degree (Hons.) from the University of the West Indies, Cavehill Campus (Barbados); a Master of Science at the University of Manchester (UK) in International Development: Development Management; and is a Certified Information Privacy Manager (from the International Association of Privacy Professionals); certification in Project Management (Distinction); and certificate in Business Pitching Skills for Future Leaders (UK).
Najuequa is a Chevening Scholar; she received the Governor-General’s Achievement Award for Excellence in Academics and Community Service; she was inducted as an ‘I Believe Initiative Ambassador’ by the Governor-General; and is a director of UNESCO Clubs Jamaica. She recently conceptualised Jamaica’s first Adolescent Mental Health conference (coined ‘Mindfulness Jamaica Initiative’), as the Project Lead, supported by the British High Commission, with support from members of Jamaica’s Chevening Alumni Community. Najuequa recently established ‘Global Angels Uplift’, a non-profit organisation aimed at assisting persons to navigate the process of grieving, inspired after the death of her mother.