Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Brenda Cuthbert, general manager of COK, says I can. That belief has led to many of her achievements. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

With therecent Credit Union Week of activities behind us, Flair spoke with the head of one of the region's largest groups about life as a woman at the helm.

It is difficult to sum up Brenda Cuthbert in one sentence. The general manager of COK Credit Union is a dynamo. Outside of leading the largest credit union within Jamaica and the English-speaking Caribbean, her career began in agriculture.

Mrs. Cuthbert took over in October 2002, bringing to COK expertise in leadership developed for more than 20 years in banking as agricultural projects adviser, group marketing manager and corporate relationship banking manager at the National Commercial Bank and chairperson of the board of the NCB Employees Cooperative Credit Union.

'I won't become a politician'

The top post became vacant with the departure of then head, Minister Aloun N'dombet Assamba. While Mrs. Cuthbert said that she enjoys her job, she inserted. "No, I won't become a politician." But she has served as special adviser to the Government of Jamaica on agricultural development.

"Continuity," she said, was her main goal when she took the job four years ago. Sitting in her plush black leather chair in an office that overlooks a part of the city she said: "My goal has always been the continuity of the company, growing to greatness. The business must grow and develop, remaining the credit union of choice for members. So it's about balance, implementing strategic plans and we are lucky to have production members with common goals."

The modest Mrs. Cuthbert is more inclined to speak about COK than of herself. "It is about how we can collectively make people's lives better ... a wide range of products and services designed to help people achieve financial goals," she said, having also been a member of COK since 1978.

Women, she said access loans services daily. "Women are more savvy when it comes to borrowing as they are more independent. We encourage other women to make full use of our services."

Open Doors

An open-door policy of inclusiveness is what Mrs. Cuthbert employs in leading her charge. She noted that the company has been blessed with staff members who are young, energetic with bright ideas. "From them I get ideas and notions and the responsibility is mine to ensure that the wonderful ideas are fulfilled."

Though many women leaders are often labelled as 'witches' and 'inconsiderate towards other women', she said female bosses can achieve respect by having a clear understanding of people's responsibilities. "We need to set ground rules, very earlier. There is to be a clear understanding of objectives which need to be met. Each person understands their roles and functions as they work for good of the organisation."

Factually, Mrs. Cuthbert, is one of few women to hold leadership positions. Recent international television reports stated although women are breaking the so called 'glass ceiling' they still occupy less than 20 per cent of jobs offered to male counterparts at the chief executive officer level. In Jamaica although more than 70 per cent of university graduates are females, there are still very few women at corporate board level. Being an optimist, Cuthbert said this will change in her lifetime.

"More and more women will achieve corporate level positions and it will happen in my lifetime. There will be incremental changes because of a woman's proven experience and qualifications, and the manner in which they conduct themselves professionally."

Happily Married

Mrs. Cuthbert has also been blessed with a wonderful family life. She has been happily married to Frederick Cuthbert, a retired banker, since 1971. They have two adult children and two grand children.

Originally from Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Mrs. Cuthbert is the first female to graduate from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, in 1969, with a bachelor of science in agriculture. She praises the people of her community for their response to individual achievement. She told Flair that the morning she left for school "in town" the entire community came out to wish her luck. And she did well. A Hubert Humphrey Fellow, Mrs. Cuthbert completed a double masters in agri-business management and finance at the Colorado State University. She also completed a masters in business administration and a diploma in executive business management at the Nova South-Eastern University and the Wharton School of Business respectively.

Mrs. Cuthbert's passion for helping others continues with her work in a number of charities such as chairperson of the Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church Council, Immaculate Conception High School Alumni Association, a former chairperson for the Elsie Bemand Home for Girls and the St. Andrew Business and Professional Women's Club.

Her days might be a whirlwind of activity as she rushes from office to different meetings, but after a long day she unwinds by relaxing with family.