13 Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer NEW YORK: THE APPOINTMENT of international financial analyst Alsion Roach Wilson as Jamaica’s consul general in New York is getting the thumbs up from the Jamaican Diaspora. The appointment of Roach Wilson was announced on Thursday, July 18, by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson-Smith. Mrs. RoachWilson, whose appointment comes after a seven-month wait, will assume duties in the first week of August. The post of consul general became vacant at the end of December last year when the government did not renew the contract of the former consul general, Trudy Deans. She is only the second person from the Diaspora to be appointed consul general in New York. She is also the second person appointed to the post in the past three years. Speaking with The Gleaner following the announcement of her appointment, Mrs Roach Wilson said that her number one priority will be to galvanise the Diaspora. “I will be working very closely with Diaspora leaders to get as much information as I possibly can. I also intend to go out into the various communities to meet with Jamaicans to listen to them, to get their feedback and to see how best the Consulate and its staff and best serve their needs,” said the new Jamaican diplomat in New York. APPOINTMENT WELCOMED Akelia Lawrence-Maitland, the Northeast Diaspora Advisory Board leader, welcomed the appointment of Mrs Roach Wilson and is already looking forward to working with her. Similarly, Leslie-Ann Samuel, head of UJAA, welcomed the appointment of the new consul general and is eager to get the work started. “I am happy that we again have a consul general in New York. I am delighted that someone has been appointed so we can get on with the work. I congratulate her on her appointment,” Ms Samuel told The Gleaner. Several Jamaicans also took to social media to congratulate Mrs Roach Wilson. “I welcome the appointment as I know that the Diaspora is eagerly looking forward to having a consul general in place,” Mrs Roach Wilson said in response to the endorsement from sections of the Diaspora. Her entrance into the Jamaican Foreign Service comes after working as associate director and controller in the International Debt Capital Markets, Emerging Markets and High Yield Department at Bear Sterns. Prior to that she was a financial analyst at HSBC, as well as Dunn and Broadstreet. Minister Johnson Smith said “Mrs. Roach-Wilson’s exceptional track record in finance together with her strong philanthropy are most fitting for the position as she shares the vision for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development”. The Jamaican foreign minister added: “Her expertise in networking in trade and investment will also support an important subset of the work of the Foreign Service as we seek to promote the practice of economic diplomacy and consular service. Jamaica appoints new consul general to New York Alsion Wilson, consul general of Jamaica to New York. CONTRIBUTED -Alsion Roach Wilson promises to ‘work closely’ with diaspora reps, community ‘I will be working very closely with Diaspora leaders to get as much information as I possibly can. I also intend to go out into the various communities to meet with Jamaicans to listen to them, to get their feedback and to see how best the Consulate and its staff and best serve their needs.’ THE WEEKLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 11, 2025 - JANUARY 7, 2026 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | FEATURE1
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