Audrey Marks
Audrey Patrice Marks is Jamaica’s 13th and first female Ambassador to the United States of America (USA) and Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the Organization of American States. (OAS). She is the first Ambassador to be appointed three times and in two different administrations. Apart from her critical role as Jamaica’s voice in the Jamaica- USA bilateral relations, she is also an important interlocutor at the OAS for relations in the Western Hemisphere. Her unwavering commitment to nation-building is matched by her outstanding record as an entrepreneur. She was the first female President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica. During her tenure, she gave a singular focus on increasing investment and trade between the United States and Jamaica. Ambassador Marks’ entrepreneurial activities include the cultivation of a 100-acre farm for banana export, commercial transportation and real estate development. She also operated a venture capital company with investments in a range of enterprises including manufacturing, travel and entertainment; and founded Paymaster (Jamaica) Limited, the first multi-payment system in the Caribbean which today serves over 1.7 million customers online and through 200 locations, from which all types of bill payments and remittances can be made. In recognition of her commitment to nation-building and regional development through her business endeavours, Ambassador Marks was awarded a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) in 2012 from the Northern Caribbean University, and the Florida International University Business Leader of the Year Award for 2003 and 2010. Today, Ambassador Audrey Marks is recognised not only for her pioneering business achievements but also her outstanding diplomatic representation in the United States and the Western Hemisphere.
78 | The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
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