Less than (10) ten months after assuming the post of Festivals and Events Manager at the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) Nathalie Walsh, a marketing professional with years of experience in marketing strategy and event planning and management, has tendered her resignation with the DDA.
She assumed the position on March 13, 2023, and has been responsible for executing Dominica’s signature entertainment events- Mas Domnik-The Real Mas, the World Creole Music Festival, Jazz n’ Creole, and several smaller festivals.
Her first order of business when she took up the post in March 2023 was the Jazz’n Creole, a fusion of jazz and Creole music, food, fashion, and culture, on April 30 at Fort Shirley in the Cabrits National Park which from all reports was “well executed.”
Minister of Tourism, Denise Charles also welcomed the new Events Manager to the DFC/DDA team, noting that her private sector background and leadership experience have prepared her to drive the events and entertainment pillar of the Ministry of Tourism.
According to our sources, Walsh found it difficult working with the constant “micro-management at the DDA.”
“Professionals will not survive in this environment of Micro-management, you set yourself targets for the day and the week and that is constantly being interrupted by persons who think they know better,” the source disclosed.
Over the years, Walsh has gained visibility in her field, as Head of Commercial, Sales & Marketing Manager for telecommunications company, DIGICEL from 2006-2017 and is also the former Head of Distribution and Marketing for the Fine Foods Inc. Group of Companies (2018-2021) and recently completed a consultancy with the Guyana Telegraph & Telephone Company.
Just last month, Destination and Marketing Manager at the DDA Kimberly King parted ways with them deciding not to seek a renewal of her contract at the end of September 2023.
In the meantime, a release from the Discover Dominica Authorities (DDA) states as follows, “Effective November 10, 2023, Mrs. Nathalie Walsh will relinquish her position as Festivals and Events Manager at DDA to take up another position in the private sector on the island. Mrs. Walsh steered the department and the Authority through a successful staging of Jazz’n Creole in April and most recently the 23rd edition of the World Creole Music Festival in October 2023.
Mrs. Walsh expressed, “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Discover Dominica Authority,
spearheading the team responsible for organizing festivals and events. However, an incredible opportunity arose in a field I’m passionate about, and I couldn’t let it pass me by. I’ve made it clear that I’m more than willing to support the DDA in any capacity I can. I wish the authority continued success and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to collaborate with them again in the near future.”
The Ministry of Tourism, The Discover Dominica Authority, and the Dominica Festivals Committee wish Mrs. Walsh well in her future endeavours.