Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer Diana Stewart
Businesswoman, philanthropist and an agent for change. All these qualities are wrapped into the small frame that belongs to Diana Stewart.
She is the other half of the dynamic duo (of Becky Stockhausen and herself) that are the faces of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica's (AmCham) Grants Pen project. Her role was as chairperson of the fund-raising committee at the AmCham. Through her determination and tireless effort, the money was raised to complete the centre.
Mrs. Stewart was born in England but has lived and worked in Jamaica for a number of years. She is also managing director of the highly successful Stewart's Auto Sales, which is the exclusive dealer for Suzuki and Skoda (now wholly owned by Volkswagen). She started working with the company full-time in 1975 and served as director in charge of accounts and sales before being appointed managing director in 1998.
The company has become known for its unparalleled reputation in the supply of parts and a reputation for after-sales service. With husband Richard also at the control booth, the company has expanded. Stewart's sister company, Stewart Motors, became the dealer for BMW in June 2006.
Mrs. Stewart was born in England but has lived and worked in Jamaica for a number of years. She is also Managing Director of the highly successful Stewart's Auto Sales.
Contributed
Camille Facey
For more than two decades, Camille Facey has dedicated her time to the betterment of her country through philanthropy.
An attorney by profession, Ms. Facey has been the senior vice-president with responsibility for the Legal, Regulatory and Public Policy Division at Cable and Wireless Jamaica since 2001. She is the first female to hold a senior vice-president position with that company.
"We each have a responsibility to do what we can, where we are, for those whose paths cross with ours," are the words Ms. Facey lives by.
It is no wonder that two years after her appointment, she played an integral role in conceptualising and forming the Cable and Wireless Foundation. Ms. Facey now serves as the deputy chair.
Prior to her appointment at Cable and Wireless, she served as director and honorary secretary of the National Development Foundation of Jamaica for 17 years and helped numerous Jamaicans to develop small businesses. Ms. Facey's mission is to create leaders and this is the path this extremely charming and determined woman has taken.
Science education
She also served her country as chair of the ICWI Group Star Scholar Programme which assisted Jamaican science educators and the ICWI Science Learning Centre which helped to promote science education at the primary level. Currently, she is on the board of the Universal Access Fund, is a member of the National Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology, and the Caribbean Central American Action.
At Cable and Wireless, Ms. Facey leads a team of five lawyers. According to one team member, Rochelle Cameron, "She epitomises the prized concept that women can do it all, balancing a career, philanthropy, marriage and motherhood."
Karen Tamasa
Having achieved more at 19 than many twice her age, Karen Tamasa is poised for success.
The St. Mary native is a businesswoman with a purpose. She owns and operates her own business, Easy Way Fruits and Vegetables, which she started while still at St. Mary Technical High School. There she makes natural juices, sells fruits and vegetables and packages some for resale to supermarkets.
Ms. Tamasa also runs a six-acre farm with approximately 500 coconut trees and hundreds of chickens, and employs 16 workers. Her agricultural background fuels her passion for farming. Her 65-year-old father is a farmer and she was actively involved in the 4-H Club at school.
Although farming is hard work, Ms. Tamasa still finds time to offer her services to community charity groups.
In 2006 Tamasa won the Prime Minister's National Youth Award for Excellence in Agriculture.
Jennifer Samuda
Hundreds of women and men (those willing to admit it, that is) owe (at least in part) their tender visages and overall good looks to one lady: Jennifer Samuda.
The conceptualiser behind the ultra successful Jencare Skin Farm, Ms. Samuda has taken her business literally from a one-room business in 1982 to a multi-store operation with branches in the United States.
Ms. Samuda appears to have the Midas touch when it comes to business. So far she has been successful in both professional areas she has ventured in. She was a successful banker, achieving the necessary qualifications to be an auditor. But chemistry was always her first love. With state-of-the-artequipment and an ever-revolving production line of local products her company Jencare has remained among the most sought after in the business of beauty.
She runs the business with her husband Lloyd working by her side.
