ENTREPRENEUR. DIPLOMAT. PHILANTHROPIST. SENATOR.

MINISTER OF GOVERNMENT

Jamaica’s first female Ambassador to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States. Ambassador Marks is the longest serving Diplomat, being the only individual to have served in this role three times with two different Jamaican Prime Ministers and three US Presidents. Extensive experience in strengthening Jamaica-USA bilateral relations. Strong advocate for Jamaica’s multi-lateral interests in national policy and legislative development as the Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS).

The Diplomat

The Entrepreneur

As a serial entrepreneur she started out in business as a farmer and small business operator following in the footsteps of her great grandparents, grandparents and parents. Expanded into being a bus and taxi operator before branching out in furniture manufacturing and night club operator. Operated a venture capital company with investments in travel, real estate and hospitality businesses.

Founder of Paymaster (Jamaica) Limited that revolutionised Jamaica’s financial services sector by introducing one of the world’s first internet-based multi-payment systems and creating Jamaica’s electronic payment industry.

Senator the Honourable Ambassador Audrey Marks is Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation, and Digital Transformation in the Office of the Prime Minister.

The mandate includes:

  1. Celebrating and supporting entrepreneurs, innovators and pioneers.

  2. Creating a national business culture that supports and celebrates entrepreneurs and innovators.

  3. Reform of public investment and procurement processes to identify and eliminate unnecessary delays while maintaining transparency and accountability.

  4. Driving economic development and financial inclusion through digital transformation

The Minister

The Jamaican

Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of the West Indies, Mona; Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, USA. Served on over 20 national and international boards, as well as becoming the first female President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica.

The holder of several business leader awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Jamaica’s economic and social development, also conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ). Academic awards includes an honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of the West Indies and the Northern Caribbean University.

The Philanthropist

Ambassador Marks developed a comprehensive system to support Jamaica’s youths ranging from scholarship funds, institutional fundraising to direct mentorship.

Ambassador Marks believes in paying it forward and has mobilized resources from Jamaicans at home & abroad, and friends of Jamaica for the purpose of alleviating the social conditions, lack of education and skill training on the island.

Her philanthropy targets young people between the ages of 5 to 25 who are unable to pursue their education or skills training due to economic challenges.