Mapping and monetization: Natalie Bennett, former Google executive with Google Maps joins tech firm Y Smart Data

 



Natalie Bennett, former Google executive working on the monetization of Google Maps has joined local tech firm Y Smart Data as its new Chief Product Officer. Her appointment took e effect on January 6th, 2025, as indicated by Y Smart Data’s CEO Ray - St. Michael Williams.

Over the past four years, Y Smart Data, a Jamaican based tech startup, has been building and refining a comprehensive address database for Jamaica. The startup up’s primary focus is on developing and implementing SMART Codes — an alpha numeric address code for Jamaica that provides granular, location-based address data through a standardized addressing system.

By leveraging these SMART Codes, Y Smart Data aims to set a new industry standard for precise and accurate addressing in Jamaica that enables actionable location intelligence and insights.

A seasoned product manager with over a decade of strategic leadership and deep technical expertise, Natalie Bennet will lead new product initiatives as the company enters its pilot stage. Most recently, she served as Senior Product Manager at Google, where she led monetization efforts for Google Maps. Bennet has extensive experience driving the ideation, development, and launch of B2B and B2C products, generating billions in revenue across fintech and adtech.

With a background in software engineering, she excelled at transforming complex technical challenges into innovative, user-centric solutions that drive business growth.

Williams stated, “Natalie has a deep understanding of our user segment and will help us to create products that satisfy user needs and drive business growth. Her competences include thorough user research, market fit analysis, stakeholder management along with product design and implementation.

“ We are excited about our platform’s future with her joining the team. The best part about Natalie is that she is proudly Jamaican and wants to see our country grow and prosper.”

Y Smart Data is currently in discussions with several entities that will enter a pilot programme to utilize the SMART Codes by Q3 of 2025.

For the insurance and other financial industries, a standardized geotagged address database will enhance underwriting accuracy, reduce fraud and data entry errors. Y Smart Data has already geotagged real estate listings by value, illustrating how geographic areas of affluence and risk can be identified across Jamaica.

CEO Williams also emphasizes that the SMART Codes initiative will help companies comply with the Jamaica Data Privacy Act, which mandates that data controllers maintain the most accurate and up to date client information, including addresses.

He further said “Smart codes can also be used to significantly modernize the post office, help with the Spark Road habilitation programme and assist with e-commerce and deliveries. This shift towards location intelligence not only enhances operational efficiency but also creates new opportunities for innovation and growth within Jamaica.”


Photo: Mapping and monetization specialist Natalie Bennett

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