Here are our 2020 Distinguished Women!
PIONEERAWARDEES
01
RITA HILTON
Motivated by her drive to see other female entrepreneurs succeed, Rita Hilton continues to lead by example, paving the way for her younger counterparts. The chief executive officer of Carita Jamaica, formerly Marketing Developments Limited, came to Jamaica from Kenya in 1963 and fell in with her significant other and the country.
02
JOY SPENCE
Appleton Estate’s Master Blender, Joy Spence, has the distinction of being the first woman to hold the position of master blender in the spirits industry worldwide. Spence joined the Appleton Estate as chief chemist in 1981 and was appointed to the position of master blender in 1997.
03
SUSANNA O’ SULLIVAN
Susanna O’Sullivan, FLOW Jamaica’s newly appointed senior director of technology operations is on a quest to make her mark not as a woman but in her area of competence – a field traditionally dominated by men.
04
CAROLYN RUSSELL-SMITH
Carolyn Russell-Smith has been dancing since the age of four and having realised the power of movement, decided to use it as a catalyst for the youth now in her charge.
COMMUNICATION
GAIL ABRAHAMS
Gail Abrahams is a consummate professional with almost two decades of experience in corporate Jamaica, in the fields of, media, tourism, insurance, banking and telecommunications.
EDUCATION
RACHEL CANN
Rachel Cann is a 32-year-old autism and special needs educator, determined to equip children and young adults with the skills needed to find their own meaningful place in the community. She has spent more than a decade in the classroom, helping children with special needs to lead a normal life.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ANTOINETTE DAVIS
Antoinette Davis, the founder and CEO of Ettenio started in the business of science and technology when she sought her first degree in chemistry. She dropped the course in her second year of university, but 20 years later, she would rekindle the fire when she had the desire to do her own hair. It was then that she decided to return to chemistry, engaged in some research and development and a whole new brand emerged.
FASHION
DEBRA EDWARDS
Debra Edwards, owner of DAE Collection, a brand of sustainable sandals, is making moves in fashion with fabulous pieces made from repurposed material – chiefly goatskin.
PERFORMING ARTS
NEILA EBANKS
Dancer and Instructor Neila Ebanks moulds minds and bodies through dance and choreography.
SPORTS
NICOLE GRANT-BROWN
From working tirelessly to reinstate Jamaica into the International Gymnastics Federation (IGF), to funding a gym out of her own pocket, Nicole Grant-Brown, the president of the Jamaica Gymnastics Association (JAGA), has gone above and beyond to grow the sport in Jamaica.
LAW
MICHELLE THOMAS
Michelle Thomas has joined the ranks of society’s young movers and shakers in her capacity as a lawyer. The former Miss Kingston and St Andrew Festival Queen has pushed for more female representation in public spaces by virtue of the ‘HerStory’ campaign, in which she played an integral role as founder and is managing partner of her own all-female firm under the name Michelle Thomas and Associates.
ROCHELLE MCGIBBON-SCOTT
Rochelle McGibbon-Scott is no ordinary cop. Serving the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for 18 years, the woman sergeant is an innovator spearheading the creation of numerous pathways to success and empowerment for her colleagues and community members.
VOLUNTEERISM
MONIQUE LYNCH
Monique Lynch is a 29-year-old who believes her purpose is to improve the lives of those around her, especially the downtrodden and persons living with mental health issues. Lynch wears many hats, she is an author, entrepreneur, youth ambassador, mental health advocate and a programme coordinator at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
BRITNEY BOWEN
At just 20 years old, Britney Bowen is already changing the lives of women and young girls in Clarendon with motivation, empowerment and education through her Women for Change Empowerment Organisation.
SHELLY-ANN WEEKS
Shelly-Ann Weeks, through her Her Flow Foundation, has donated over 100,000 sanitary packages to girls in need islandwide.
BUSINESS
DANIELIA MCLEAN
Marketing consultant and entrepreneur Danielia McLean is known to the business and communication worlds as a powerhouse, fiercely working to clutch success.
LACEY-ANN BARTLEY
From formalising her father’s business and taking it to higher and more profitable heights to sitting on the board of EXIM Bank and lecturing in the field of business development, Lacey-Ann Bartley has earned her stripes as the Distinguished Woman in Business for the year 2020.
HEALTH
Dr. Kazi-Ann Kasimbie
Dr Kazi-Ann Kasimbie is the CEO and founder of Psychfactor Consulting Services, a psychological consulting organisation that provides mental and human resource development and consultation to individuals and institutions locally and internationally.
SOCIAL MEDIAPERSONALITY
Terri-Karelle Reid
Dr Terri-Karelle Reid made her way into Jamaicans’ hearts and homes when she won Miss Jamaica World in 2005, then later when she became the host of one of the most popular television shows in Jamaica, ‘Digicel Rising Stars’.
