Caribbean Gold Award. The Dominicaborn athlete made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning the women’s triple jump, marking the first-ever Olympic gold for her home country. Her achievement has inspired pride throughout the Caribbean. The management and staff of Half Moon Hotel, who will be presented with the Pinnacle Award for Excellence in Global Hospitality Services. Located in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Half Moon is renowned for its world-class service, earning accolades from Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, and Travel & Leisure. Beyond hospitality, the team actively supports Cornwall Regional Hospital, SOS Children’s Village, and scholarship programmes for underprivileged students. THE MONTHLY GLEANER | MARCH 20 - APRIL 19, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 4 WASHINGTON, DC: NEWLY-APPOINTED MINISTER with responsibility for efficiency, innovation and digital transformation, Senator Ambassador Audrey Marks, former ambassador to the United States, and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States in Washington, DC, is to be honoured by the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) with its prestigious Trailblazer Award for the Class of 2025. The ambassador will be presented with the award at the AFUWI Foundation’s 28th annual awards gala in New York City on Friday, April 4. It will recognize the former ambassador’s exceptional contributions to diplomacy, service to the Jamaican diaspora, and dedication to nation-building, the AFUWI Foundation notes. As AFUWI executive director AnnMarie Grant puts it, Ambassador Marks has demonstrated “a remarkable commitment to promoting educational growth as a vital driver of national development. Hailing from the rural parish of St. Mary in Jamaica, she deeply understands the aspirations of everyday Jamaicans and their strong desire for economic and social mobility. “Throughout her career – encompassing business, finance, public service, and international relations – she has consistently led initiatives that serve as benchmarks for others to follow. She is widely recognized as the founder of Paymaster (Jamaica) Limited, the Caribbean’s first multi-transaction bill payment system, which transformed the financial services landscape in the region. As Jamaica’s first female ambassador to the United States and the first to serve two terms, the newly-appointed Senator and Cabinet minister in the Jamaican Government, Marks has passionately advocated for economic growth and investment,” Grant explained. She adding that Marks’ business expertise and leadership have earned her numerous accolades, including an honorary Doctor of Laws from Northern Caribbean University. A distinguished alumna of the UWI, Senator Marks exemplifies the institution’s commitment to academic excellence by nurturing the talents of change agents, leaders, and innovators who will ultimately contribute to the productivity and prosperity of their community, country, and the Caribbean region. Besides her diplomatic and entrepreneurial efforts, Senator Marks has served on several prominent private and public sector boards of directors, including for The University of the West Indies (Mona School of Business), the National Health Fund (NHF), and Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI). Her deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of education has driven her advocacy for initiatives that expand access to learning opportunities, especially for financially-disadvantaged yet ambitious students. This posture is fully aligned with the mission and vision of the AFUWI. The AFUWI Legacy Awards Gala 2025 will honour Senator Marks and her fellow recipients – William Mahfood, chairman of WISYNCO, The Half Moon Hotel, Dominican-American track and field athlete, Thea La Fond Gadson, Althea Brown, and Cedric Gayle, Esq. – in New York City. This annual event gathers distinguished leaders and education advocates from the Caribbean and the United States to raise funds for scholarships benefiting deserving students at The University of the West Indies (UWI). AFUWI HONOREES William Mahfood, chairman of the WISYNCO Group, who will receive the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Global Business Leadership and Philanthropy. Mahfood, who began his career as a warehouse supervisor, has played a pivotal role in shaping WISYNCO’s market reach and distribution strategies. Under his leadership, the company became the largest publicly listed entity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Additionally, the WISYNCO Group will receive the AFUWI Corporate Award for its commitment to corporate responsibility and business excellence. Cedric Gayle, Esq., who will receive the Pelican Award, a recognition given to outstanding University of the West Indies (UWI) alumni in the New York diaspora. A respected attorney and community leader, Gayle has been instrumental in strengthening alumni engagement through his role as a founding member of the UWI New York alumni chapter. Althea Brown, managing director, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary of LPL Financial, will be honoured with the Vice Chancellor’s Achievement Award for her contributions to legal and financial advisory services. A proud Jamaican, Brown’s leadership at LPL Financial Holdings Inc., which oversees nearly $1 trillion in assets, has solidified her reputation in the financial industry. Olympic gold medallist Thea LaFond Gadson, who will receive the Salute to Senator Audrey Marks to receive AFUWI Trailblazer Award William Mahfood, chairman of WISYNCO, Dominican-American track and field athlete, Thea La Fond Gadson among honourees BRONX, NY: THE ORGANIZATION for International Development (OID) will be focusing on the legacy of its former president, Dr Michelle Malcolm James, at its annual Spring Luncheon fundraiser, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from noon to 5 pm, at the Greentree Country Club, New Rochelle, NY. Themed, ‘Our Legacy Lives On’, proceeds from the Luncheon fundraiser – the first of the organisation’s two marquee, charitable endeavours for the year – will be used for 2026 Missions. OID has procured a mobile unit outfitted with a registration/intake area, full-service mammography machine and an examination room to provide comprehensive breast, cervical and prostate cancer screenings using minimally invasive methods such as ultrasound devices, pap smears, and blood screenings to communities in the rural, remote areas of Jamaica. The mammogram and Pap smear test are the first steps in cancer screening for women and the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test is the first step for men. “Our 2025 focus is to continue concentrating on fundraising for the launch of the OID + NCU Jamaica Cancer Screening Project to Reduce the Rate of Breast, Cervical and Prostate Cancer in Jamaica in the memory of our beloved president Dr Michelle Malcolm-James, DNP, RN,”noted Dr Roy Streete, DDS, founder/director of OID. Three women will share the ‘legacy’ spotlight for their humanitarian and volunteer services, over the years. Members Rosemarie Rodriguez and Sharon Wynter, will be thanked for their many years of service and AnnMarie Grant, executive director of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI), will be cited for her years of service to education. Established in 1990, OID has expanded services to countries beyond Jamaica to include, Haiti, Dominican Republic, St Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, St Lucia, North and South America, Nigeria, Ethiopia, India, Ghana, Zambia and South Africa and United States providing needed services in the areas of paediatrics, gynaecology, medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology, physical therapy and social services. OID Spring Luncheon to honour the legacy of former president The legacy lives on April 27
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