Joy Clark named chairman of Digicel Foundation

WESTERN BUREAU:

One of Montego Bay’s philanthropic doyennes, Joy Clark, has been appointed chairman of the prominent Digicel Foundation.

Clark, who has been with the foundation since its inception in 2004, succeeds communication expert Jean Lowrie Chin, who served in the position for nine years. She was named Digicel Foundation chair at the foundation’s bimonthly board meeting on Monday.

The foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary and has invested US$46.6 million (J$7.36 billion) to date.

Clark has served the foundation in many capacities, including vice-chair, and has played a pivotal role in establishing strategic partnerships, the foundation said.

A well-established professional with an entrenched brand in corporate circles, Clark has aligned herself to service excellence, boasting more than 30 years of sales and sales management experience under her belt.

This is her second stint with the communication firm, which has recognised her results-oriented focus, integrity and work ethic. She first spent 13 years there, leaving in 2017, and venturing into training, motivational speaking, and mentorship through her company ‘Enjoy the Journey’.

Clark spent just under three years at Appliance Traders before Digicel persuaded her to rejoin its team in 2022 as director of corporate and government relations.

Her solid achievements in the corporate space have been bolstered by her educational background at the Digicel University, where she completed an EMBA in Telecommunications, and the University College of the Caribbean (UCC), where she pursued a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and graduated with first-class honours. A former student of Mt Alvernia High School in Montego Bay, Clark also possesses sales and marketing certification from the University of New Orleans, certification in credit policy and collection techniques from the Institute of Management Production (IMP), and is a graduate of Duff’s Business College where she was adjudged valedictorian and most outstanding female student.

She brings a wealth of knowledge and know-how to the foundation, which has completed 1,611 projects, directly impacting 806,931 lives in Jamaica, including some of the most challenged and disenfranchised citizens. Education, special needs, and community development are key pillars through which the foundation can positively impact lives in a sustainable way.

With support from its partners, the foundation develops and implements meaningful interventions, investing US$46.6 million islandwide to date. By engaging communities at the grassroots level and expanding opportunities, the foundation’s programmes aim to impact key markers of social and economic development.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com