Jamaican Entrepreneur Yoni Epstein Honored with Prestigious 2024 Entrepreneurship Laureate Prize

By [Shady Elbody]

Jamaican entrepreneur Yoni Epstein, founder and CEO of itel International, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Anthony N.

Sabga Award for Caribbean Excellence, earning the title of Entrepreneurship Laureate. Announced on February 20, 2024, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, this accolade recognizes Epstein’s transformative impact on the Caribbean customer experience sector.

The award will be formally presented at a gala ceremony in Barbados in May 2024.

Transforming the Caribbean Customer Experience Sector

At 44, Yoni Epstein is celebrated for his visionary leadership and significant contributions to the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

As the founder of itel, the largest homegrown BPO and customer experience firm in the Caribbean, Epstein has played a pivotal role in changing global perceptions of Caribbean service providers. Launched in 2012 with a team of seven, itel has expanded to seven countries with a workforce of 7,000.

The Anthony N. Sabga Awards' Regional Eminent Persons Panel selected Epstein for his dedication to business excellence, which goes beyond profit to include quality, integrity, reliability, and a family-oriented corporate culture.

Epstein’s 20-year commitment to developing talent in the customer support industry is further exemplified by his establishment of the 4Ys Foundation in 2019, which supports sports, education, innovation, and environmental initiatives.

Epstein's Response

In response to the award, Epstein expressed his honor and humility, emphasizing the significance of being recognized by leaders in his home region. He highlighted the importance of showcasing the Caribbean's potential on the global stage.

Notable Achievements and Contributions

Under Epstein's leadership, itel has received over 15 industry awards. In 2016, Nearshore Americas named Epstein "Entrepreneur of the Year," and he was recognized as one of the most influential BPO leaders in the nearshore region.

His commitment to the Caribbean economy includes roles as the founding president of the Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica and past chair of the Global Services Sector Project, which aims to enhance business talent skills. Additionally, Epstein serves on the boards of CarRental8.com and JAMPRO.

Anthony N. Sabga Awards

The Anthony N. Sabga Awards, established in 2005 and administered by the ANSA McAL Foundation, honor outstanding Caribbean nationals who demonstrate excellence in various fields.

To date, 57 individuals have been recognized, with Epstein being the 13th recipient of this prestigious award. The awards celebrate the achievements of Caribbean leaders who make significant contributions to their fields and communities.

Epstein will join four other laureates at the upcoming gala ceremony in Barbados, solidifying his position as a leading figure in the Caribbean business landscape.

Sources:

[TMCnet](https://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2024/02/20/9714038.htm)

- [Jamaica Gleaner](https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20240220/yoni-epstein-receives-2024-entrepreneurship-laureate-prize)

- [Caribbean Awards](https://ansacaribbeanawards.com/johann-yoni-epstein)

Jamaican Entrepreneur Yoni Epstein Honored with Prestigious 2024 Entrepreneurship Laureate Prize