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Foundation Directors

The Board of the GraceKennedy Foundation comprises of 12 Directors; seven are external to GraceKennedy and five are internal.

Dr Fred Kennedy

Chairman

Dr Fred Kennedy was appointed Chair of the GraceKennedy Foundation in June 2017. He was appointed as a Director of the Foundation in 2013.

A retired teacher and school administrator, Dr Kennedy’s career in education has spanned over 40 years. Dr Kennedy began his teaching career in Jamaica at York Castle High School in St Ann and went on to teach at Trench Town Comprehensive in Kingston. In the late 1970s he migrated to Canada, continuing his career in education, and over a 27-year period taught at several secondary schools and served as Vice-principal with the Toronto District School Board.

In 2004, he took a leave of absence to return to Jamaica to serve as Principal of St. George’s College (STGC), for a two-year term. He continued his work with St. George’s College as President of the Ontario Chapter of the Old Boys’ Association from 2012 to 2014. He is presently a Board Director of the STGC Endowment Fund.He served as the Jamaica Liaison Director on the Board of the Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education (P.A.C.E. Canada), a non-profit organization which sponsors the development of basic schools in Jamaica, 2010-2014.

In 2008, Dr Kennedy published the critically acclaimed Daddy Sharpe, a historical account of the life of Jamaican National Hero, Hon. Samuel Sharpe. In 2015 he published his second book Huareo: Story of a Jamaican Cacique, which tells the story of the Taínos in Jamaica.

Dr Kennedy holds a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Education from The University of the West Indies (UWI) and a Master and Doctor of Education from the University of Toronto.

Cathrine Kennedy

Cathrine Kennedy was appointed a Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation in 2006. She currently sits on the Governance Committee of the Board.

Cathrine Kennedy is the General Manager of Hi-Lo Food Stores, a division of GK Foods and Services Limited. Throughout her career she has held various positions in the Executive Office, Financial Services and Food Divisions of GraceKennedy Limited including most recently, the Head of Business Intelligence and Cross-Selling for the Group.

Cathrine joined GraceKennedy Limited in 1999 and prior to leaving the group to do her MBA in 2004, she worked as a Management Cadet in the Financial Services Division and FX Trader/Treasury Officer in GraceKennedy’s Group Treasury Department. Since returning to GraceKennedy in 2006, Cathrine has held the positions of Insurance Cadet at GK Insurance (formerly Jamaica International Insurance Company), Business Operations Manager and Strategy and Governance Manager at Allied Insurance Brokers, Group Chief Risk Officer of GraceKennedy Limited, Food Service Project Manager for Grace Foods and Services, and the Head of Business Intelligence and Cross-Selling for the Group before being appointed as General Manager of Hi-Lo Food Stores on April 1, 2019.

Miss Kennedy is a member of the Hi-Lo Advisory Committee. She is also a director of the JCC Sameer Younis Foundation and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC). She served on the Executive of the JCC from 2008 to 2017 in the capacities of Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee, Chair of the Trade Facilitation Committee and 1st Vice President.She was previously Chairwoman of the Board of GraceKennedy Insurance Brokers Limited, a Board Director of B & D Trawling Limited and GraceKennedy Properties Limited and an invitee to the Boards of Directors of Dairy Industries (Jamaica) Limited and Allied Insurance Brokers Limited.

Cathrine was a director of Jamaica Public Service Limited from April 2012 to March 2015 and acted as the Chair of the company’s Audit Committee during that time.Cathrine received her BSc. in Business Administration – Management from Webber International University in Florida, and her Bi-Lingual MBA from IESE Business School, University of Navarra in Spain.

She has completed the Executive Program in Leadership course at Stanford University and the Food Leadership Program at Cornell University.

Hilary Wehby

Hilary Wehby became a director of the GraceKennedy Foundation in 2011. She currently sits on the Healthy Lifestyles Committee of the Board.

Throughout her career with GraceKennedy (GK) Limited, Mrs Wehby has made significant contributions to the continued growth and development of the Company, particularly in the areas of marketing and new product development. Mrs Wehby’s early years with GK were spent with Caribbean Greetings and Grace Tours Limited.

Mrs Wehby then moved to the Food Trading Division where she has been integrally involved in revolutionising the company’s product offerings. Over the past two decades, she has played an active role in the planning and execution of multiple projects aimed at expanding the range of products and brand strength in domestic and export markets that have contributed significantly to company sales and profits.

Mrs Wehby has served in the Mentorship Programme administered by Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation from 1999 – 2015. A stroke survivor of a massive stroke in 2015, she is a published author of an inspirational account of her stroke experience: ‘My New Normal: Reflections of a Stroke Survivor.’ Mrs Wehby is a founding director of the newly established Jamaica Stroke Alliance. In 2020 she was appointed as an Advisory Board Member for the Regional Coordinating Office: Institute of Gender & Development Studies, The UWI.

Mrs Wehby holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from The University of the West Indies (UWI), a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master of Science in Sociology and Social Policy also from UWI.

Philip Alexander

Philip Alexander became a Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation in 2010. He currently sits on the Finance Committee and the Governance Committee of the Board.

A mechanical engineer, Mr Alexander joined GraceKennedy (GK) Limited in 1980 and spent just over three decades of his professional life serving in a range of positions with the group of companies including Maintenance Engineer, Director of Manufacturing, Acting CEO of Kingston Wharves and GM Operations Engineering at Kingston Container Terminal, Divisional Project Manager and Chief Risk Officer Food Trading Division and Group Chief Risk Officer. He made significant contributions to transforming the Company into a dynamic international network.

GK’s now institutionalized ISO certification, balanced scorecard and enterprise risk management systems are legacies of Mr Alexander’s career with the Group. He served as a Director of the Board of GraceKennedy Limited from 1988 to 2001.

He is also currently a Director of the Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation.

Mr Alexander has deep interest in reading and research which keeps him abreast of new trends in technology and business.

Dr Carol Hordatt Gentles

Dr Carol Hordatt Gentles was named a Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation in 2018. She is the Chair of the Education Committee of the Board.

She works as a Teacher Education Specialist with the School of Education, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, She currently serves as the Chairperson for the Joint Board of Teacher Education (JBTE) and as Chair for the Board of the International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET). She is a member of the University of Technology Advisory Board for Undergraduate Studies, and a national representative for Jamaica to ISATT (International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching).

Dr Hordatt Gentles has also provided consultancy services for the World Bank, UNESCO in the field of Teacher Education across the Caribbean including Guyana, the Bahamas. She has worked as an External Examiner for the JBTE, providing quality assurance for Teacher Education Institutions in Jamaica, Belize and the Cayman Islands. She also worked as an assessor for the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) was a member of the its Board and served as Chair of its Accreditation, Curriculum and Development Committee. Dr Hordatt Gentles has also served as Chairperson of the Lowe River Primary and Junior High School in Trelawny.

Dr Hordatt Gentles’ research focuses on the ideologies that inform the practice of teaching, professional identities of teacher educators, teacher professionalism and professional learning, pedagogy in qualitative research, quality management and quality assurance in higher education.

She holds a Doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto.

Deidre Cousins

Deidre Cousins was named a Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation in 2018. She is the Chair of the Healthy Lifestyles Committee of the Board.

Ms Cousins joined GraceKennedy Limited (GKL) in 2008, and during her tenure has made significant contributions to the improvement of business processes and governance structures for IT, Security and Risk & Compliance in both public and private sector environments. She has held several positions within GK, including Group IT Audit Manager and Business Development Manager, and in 2019, was appointed Chief Information Officer of GKL.

In 2017, she completed a three-year assignment at GraceKennedy Foods (USA) LLC in the capacity of Vice President – Business Systems, Risk & Compliance, and was instrumental in developing and implementing IT infrastructure, applications and process improvement projects, for the newly acquired business. Upon her return to GKL she was assigned the role of Business Development Executive, with a special assignment to head the Results Management Office at First Global Bank.

Ms Cousins has a passion for the continuous development of professional talent and knowledge and sharing of best practices. She has presented on behalf of GK on these areas of interest at international conferences held by the MIS Training Institute in Boston and Chicago, and at the ASUG SAP Conference in Orlando, Florida.In 2010, Ms Cousins published a book entitled, Inspirational Therapy.

In her spare time, she loves to explore the creative arts, which includes writing poetry, prose and listening to music.

She holds a Master of Science Degree in Management Information Systems (with honours), and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Studies (with honours), both from The University of the West Indies. She also has a Bachelor of Law Degree (with honours) from the University of London.

Chaluk Richards

Chaluk Richards was named a Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation in 2018. He is the Chair of the Finance Committee of the Board.

He is the General Manager for GraceKennedy (GK) General Insurance Company Limited (GK Insurance). In this role, Mr Richards is charged with the development and management of the company’s strategy and financial performance. In addition to developing and executing the company’s strategy, he also has the overall responsibility of the company’s transformational initiatives, Innovation and Product Areas, namely the Personal Lines, Claims & Commercial Lines portfolios and support functions.

He joined the GK Insurance team (then Jamaica International Insurance Company) in 2003, as an Underwriting Associate. During his tenure he has held various middle and senior management positions within the Company, including Operations and Business Improvement Manager, Assistant General Manager, Strategy & Business Support, and Assistant General Manager, Strategy and Commercial Lines.

Mr Richards also serves as a board member of the Insurance House Limited, EC Global Limited, College of Insurance and Professional Studies and Junior Achievement Jamaica and on the boards of GK Financial Group and First Global Holdings Limited.

He is heavily invested in serving in the church community of Webster’s Memorial United Church, and his other interests include swimming and family excursions.

Mr Richards holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from The University of Technology (UTech) where he was selected to be the GraceKennedy/Carlton Alexander Scholar.

He then earned a Master of Science in Administration from California State University (Baker’s Field).

Allison Rangolan

Allison Rangolan was named a Director of The GraceKennedy Foundation in 2018 and was appointed Chair of the Environment Committee in 2018. She is also a member of GraceKennedy’s External Innovation Council.

She is the Chief Technical Director of the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) and Executive Director of the Jamaica Protected Areas Trust (JPAT). Ms Rangolan is a member of the Finance and Audit Committee, Chair of the Technical Committee, and Director of the Water Resources Authority (WRA) within the portfolio of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

She has been a member of the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals (JIEP) since 2009 and served as a Council Member from 2014 to 2020. She represents the EFJ on the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) National Steering Committee and has served as Vice Chair since 2015. She also served as a member of the cabinet-appointed multi-stakeholder Plastic Packaging Materials Working Group for which she chaired the Environment Sub-Committee.

She has represented Jamaica at regional and international conservation financing and project management events, including building networks with bilateral and multilateral agencies.

In her spare time, Ms Rangolan enjoys reading, scuba diving, hiking, and farming.She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from The University of the West Indies, and a Master of Science in Coastal Zone Management and Marine Biology from Nova Southeastern University.

Terry-Ann Graver

Terry-Ann Graver was named a Director of The GraceKennedy Foundation in 2020. She currently sits on the Finance and Education Committees of the Board.

Mrs Graver is an experienced finance professional with strong banking, portfolio management and corporate solutions experience. She joined GraceKennedy (GK) Limited in January 2017 as Senior Manager – Treasury & Corporate Finance, assuming responsibility for managing the investment and loan portfolios for the company, its foreign currency trading activities and the foreign currency exposure for the Group. Additionally, included in her portfolio is the assessment of corporate strategic projects and initiatives (including mergers and acquisitions) and the development and structuring of financial solutions for corporate projects within the Group.

Prior to joining GK, she worked at the National Commercial Bank where she held several positions including Credit Officer, Business Banker and Relationship Manager in the Corporate Banking Division. She was also responsible for managing a diversified portfolio of clients in the tourism, construction, manufacturing, agro-processing, distribution, and financial services sectors.

Mrs Graver currently chairs the Asset and Liability Committee at GK Investments Limited and GK Capital Management and sits on the Boards of GK General Insurance Company Limited; GK Capital Management Ltd and GK Insurance Brokers Ltd as an invitee.She has also served as an active member of the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston in the past.Mrs Graver holds a Bachelor of Science in International Relations from The University of the West Indies (UWI) and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Leicester. She also holds certificates in Project Management, Treasury Risk Management, International Cash and Treasury Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Modelling and Jamaican Securities, from several institutions including the New York Institute of Finance and Euro Finance.

Professor Julie Meeks Gardner

Professor Julie Meeks Gardner was named a Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation in 2020. She currently sits on the Education and Healthy Lifestyles Committees of the Board.

She is Professor of Child Development and Nutrition, and currently serves as Director. She also serves as a member of the UWI Senate, the Open Campus Council and the Appointments Committee.

Professor Meeks’ research has focused on the nutritional status and development of children in difficult circumstances. She was been principal investigator on many research projects funded by international agencies including the World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO, the OAS and the IDB. She has served on boards and committees related to children’s issues internationally, regionally and in Jamaica.

Prior to her appointment as Director, Professor Meeks served as Deputy Principal of The UWI Open Campus for six years until 2020. She previously headed the Caribbean Child Development Centre (CCDC) and also served as the founding Director of the Consortium for Social Research and Development at the Open Campus.

She has published widely in international research journals, and has published many book chapters and technical reports, and has both authored and edited numerous books and monographs.

Professor Meeks was trained at the Tropical Medicine Research Unit (TMRU) at UWI and undertook her post-doctoral work at the MRC Applied Psychology Unit, Cambridge University.

Radcliffe Daley

Radcliffe Daley became a Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation in 2020. He currently sits on the Finance Committee of the Board.

He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for First Global Bank (FGB). Mr Daley began his career with GraceKennedy (GK) Limited at FGB in 2002, having previously worked with CIBC and Citizens Bank Limited. He transitioned to the corporate offices of GKL in 2013 and in 2017 was appointed Chief Audit Executive for the Group.

Mr Daley has also served in the Jamaica Defence Force for over 21 years as a Commissioned Officer in the Third Battalion, The Jamaica Regiment National Reserves. He has also served at various levels in the regional and local cricket fraternity and is a member of the management committees of both the Kingston and Kensington Cricket Clubs and is a member of the Board of Sabina Park Holdings Limited. Mr Daley also serves as Chairman of the Board of the St Peter and Paul Preparatory School.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The University of the West Indies (UWI) and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University

Caroline Mahfood

Caroline Mahfood is Chief Executive Officer of the GraceKennedy Foundation (GKF), and also serves as Secretary to its Board.

She joined GraceKennedy (GK) Limited in 2005 as Programme Coordinator for the GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme. In May 2008 she was appointed as Executive Director (now Chief Executive Officer) of the GraceKennedy Foundation (GKF).

In her role as GKF CEO, Mrs Mahfood has served as a member of the Corporate Committee for the Council on Foundations, Vice-Chair of the Bureau of Standards CSR Committee, a member of the PSOJ Education Committee, and the National Education Council. She is currently a member of the Board of the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation where she chairs the Education Committee. She is also the Chair of the Jamaica Network of Corporate Foundations and Co-Founder and Vice-Chair of the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance.

Mrs Mahfood was grounded in the principles of philanthropy through her role as Executive Director of Building Bridges a one-year initiative implemented by Ambassador Sue Cobb, former US envoy to Jamaica, which aimed at enhancing community ties between South Florida and Jamaica.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and English Literature from The University of the West Indies (UWI).