Gleaner Na 202111

THE WEEKLY GLEANER | NOVEMBER 4 - NOVEMBER 10, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 8 I NTERNATIONAL AUDITOR and philanthro- pist, George Samuel Willie, has received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree fromThe University of theWest Indies (The UWI). The honour was conferred during the Open Campus graduation ceremony for the 2021 graduating class which took place on Saturday, October 16 as part of the series of virtual ceremonies across the regional university. Eight hundred and seventy-seven (877) grad- uands were officially conferred with diplomas and degrees. Responding to the appointment, Willie said, “It was one of those rare moments in my life; being overwhelmed. I was humbled to have been awarded a Honorary Doctorate by the University of the West Indies. “Supporting the advancement of the young Minority professional has been my life’s pur- pose. I have been most fortunate to have had the support of family, friends and colleagues, as I attempt to make a difference in the lives of the ambitious and deserving students. I will continue to do my very best in making a contribution to the education of our young.” Willie is currently managing partner of Bert Smith and Company, a high-profile, minori- ty-owned firm in the Washington, DC, Metro area. His career spans over 40 years in the field of public accounting, with specialisations in consulting and programme management, financial and performance audits, financial reporting, and accounting services. Willie leads a formidable team that has over the years de- veloped unmatched capabilities in serving both the public and private sectors. For his sterling professional accomplish- ments, he has received numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the United States’ most influential practitioners by CPA Magazine and AccountingToday . Among his accolades are the Distinguished Alumni Award in the field of Business and Community Service from Howard University; the Special Vision 21 award by the Howard University School of Business; and the distinguished Alumni Award from the Kogod School of Business at the America University. Willie has also been honoured by the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) with the coveted Caribbean Luminary Award for his outstanding professional achievements and his exemplary charitable contributions to The UWI. He has given significant support to special projects and sponsors the tuition for several students each academic year who have financial chal- lenges. He is currently an active member of the executive team of the foundation in the capacity of deputy treasurer and chair of the fundraising committee. His personal contribu- tions to the AFUWI in the past four years have exceeded US$100K. George Willie aligns himself with the pro- grammes at the Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM), providing access for students and faculty to cutting-edge practices and the up-to-the-minute industry trends. His sponsorship of the annual MSBM Lecture series involves inviting outstanding practi- tioners to share their experiences with stu- dents, providing contacts within industry/ academia to strengthen teaching, learning and research capacities. He was also instrumental in helping the MSBM to gain membership and accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, (AACSB). His commitment to providing increased access to higher education for students who face financial challenges is evidenced by his long-standing role as a valued member of the Board of Trustees for Howard University, playing a significant role in providing financial aid for students from Jamaica and the USA. As a token of appreciation for his outstanding charitable contribution, Howard University has named its Accounting Career Awareness course in his honour – The George S. Willie ACAP programme. Similarly, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica named its research centre after him in recognition of his dedicated support to the profession in Jamaica. His life story is replete with ways in which he has impacted lives of the underserved in his native land, Jamaica, as well as other mi- nority populations in the USA. He is a highly sought-after individual who has served in a variety of capacities on several boards. He is currently chairman of the US representa- tive to the Small and Medium Practices (SMP) committee of the International Federation of Accountants; member, Audit Committee of the American Institute for Research; chair and a current member of the Montgomery County Employees Retirement System – Board of Trustees; member, Board of Visitors of Howard University School of Business; member, Dean’s Council of the Kogod School of Business – American University; and chairman, Advisory Board for the Centre for Accounting Education – Howard University Willie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Howard University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from American University. George Samuel Willie receives UWI honorary degree George Samuel Willie CONTRIBUTED Janet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer VIRGIN ATLANTIC’S Sir Richard Branson intro- duced Jamaica’s special ambassador in charge of philanthropy and investment, Paula Kerr- JarrettWegman, as she accepted the St George’s Society New York (SGSNY) Commonwealth Award at the English Ball in Manhattan on Tuesday night, October 26. Kerr-Jarrett Wegman shared the spotlight with hotel mogul Sir Rocco Forte, who received the Medal of Honour, and former SGSNY executive John Shannon, who was presented with the Order of St George’s Society, at a black-tie affair that raised over US$100,000, within a record five min- utes, for the charity founded in 1770. The Montego Bay businesswoman who rep- resents Jamaica’s enormous diversity, was nom- inated by the country’s eighth consul general to NY, Geneive Brown Metzger. “Paula is a true positive force committed to the development of her beloved Jamaica and its equal. She firmly believes that there should be fair opportunity for all, and that your past should not determine your future,”stated Branson during a virtual introduction of the woman who sup- ported the establishment of his Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in Montego Bay in 2011. Branson, who is convinced that through sound education and self-development, everybody can fulfil their full potential, lauded Kerr-Jarrett Wegman for her commitment to foster a culture of leadership and entrepreneurship. “She deliv- ered on that commitment through her invaluable support for the creation of the Branson Centre as a founding board member,” he stated. Ten years on, Kerr-Jarrett Wegman continues to support emerging entrepreneurs, consistently making positive impact on the lives of others. She is involved in countless organisations, raising funds or heightening awareness for the needs of poor communities. Kerr-Jarrett Wegman was one of the original members of the Economic Growth Council, doing exceptional work to promote new investments to Jamaica, added Branson. TREMENDOUS SUPPORT The star of the evening’s event, Kerr-Jarrett Wegman, who was named special envoy by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in 2019, in her response, spoke of the tremendous support she had received since plans were announced to recognise her. “To be recognised by the oldest charity in America, which is so impressive, makes it an even more proud moment,”she told the gathering, which in- cluded her husband DannyWegman and Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks. Kerr-Jarrett Wegman said she became more cognisant of the work of the historic charity when she realised how many persons from the Commonwealth have been helped. “They have the American dream, they come here and they start out with all the good intentions of completing their education, but for some reason in the last year they can’t graduate, because they just can’t make ends meet,” she stated. In her message to students who become recip- ients or applicants of the scholarship, Kerr-Jarrett Wegman told them they could be anything they want to be. “You have to set your goals. You have the support of many people in this room, who are always willing to step up to the plate and who actually are limitless in their generosity, so I would say, go for it,”were among her words of encourage- ment to students from Commonwealth countries seeking assistance. With rare exceptions, the SGSNY has held the English Ball annually since its founding in 1770. Members, corporate leaders and honoured guests gather to enjoy an evening of dining, dancing, and recognition of distinguished members of the Anglo-American and Commonwealth communities. janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com Paula Kerr-Jarrett Wegman cops prestigious Commonwealth Award Paula Kerr-Jarrett Wegman receives the Commonwealth Award from Frank Morgan, President of the St George’s Society, at the English Ball, held at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel in New York on Tuesday October 26. PHOTOS BY ASHLEY ANGUIN From left: Sir Rocco Forte, who received the Medal of Honour; Jamaican Paula Kerr-Jarrett Wegman, recipient of the (Commonwealth Award; and John Shannon, who was awarded the Order of St George’s Society. THE WE KLY GLEANER | NOVEMBER 4 - 3