From Kingston 13 to the boardroom

WITH A personal story punctuated with examples of resilience and determination, the newly minted company secretary for the Access Financial Services (AFS) Group, Carla Stephens-Mullings has been investing time and resources into building the next generation of bright young women who are well-rounded citizens of the world. Whenever she’s not providing support to the AFS Board and executing her function as the company’s legal and corporate affairs manager, Stephens-Mullings is actively driving ‘The Visionette’ – an outreach group of the Hebron Open Bible Church which focuses on the development of young women and girls ages six to 21 years old.

A product of the inner city herself, Stephen-Mullings said she knows the value of having a strong, positive influence while growing up in a harsh environment.

“For me and my siblings, that person was our mother. She was our fiercest protector and defender. Mommy had very high standards for us and that started with a good education. We grew up off Spanish Town Road, Kingston 13, but we were not the typical children in a ghetto. First of all, mommy didn’t allow us to be outside on the street. We had to speak English. She was determined that all her children should do well, whether it was in academics or learning a skill,” Stephens-Mullings explained.

From Rousseau Primary to Alpha High School, Stephens-Mullings thrived under the watchful eye of her mom who also ensured they belonged to a spiritual family. As a young girl growing up in the Hebron Open Bible Church, she also received the nurturing support of her church family who encouraged her and provided opportunities for her to grow.

“I got involved in many activities where I made presentations, and they were always telling me that I should go into law or politics. Truth be told, while I liked politics at first, I quickly realised that it wasn’t for me, and so I turned my attention to law. When I left sixth form, I got accepted to do law at UTech and received my LLB in 2012,” she shared.

Noting that her first two attempts to get into the Norman Manley Law School failed, Stephens-Mullings said she brushed off the disappointment and focused on the long term.

“It was a very competitive process, more so for those of us who did not do our LLB at the UWI. So, I had to prepare well. Access Financial was also an excellent training ground. Two years after joining the team I was promoted to paralegal. Mr James, our founder and CEO at the time, trusted me and assigned me so many tasks. The vote of confidence from the CEO boosted my own professional confidence tremendously. I also leaned into a team of women attorneys outside the company who I could call on for help. I got experience in drafting documents, research and court attendance,” she added.

Her diligence was rewarded with acceptance to the Norman Manley Law School in 2019 and a promotion at work in 2022, one year after completion. With her appointment as company secretary in July this year, Stephens-Mullings now has the title to go with a body of work she has been building over many years. Passionate about corporate governance and blessed with a natural aptitude for developing systems to ensure compliance, the legal and corporate affairs manager is enjoying the challenges of the corporate world.

These days, however, her focus has expanded to include an infant son who is her pride and joy. Stephens-Mullings readily admits that balance is only possible because of her amazing support system.

“With my husband, my family, friends, our church family, I make it work. I’m still actively involved in our church ministry because I know that this is part of my purpose. I believe in not only telling but showing the girls and young ladies at my church how to live fulfilled lives. It’s important for them to know that there’s nothing they cannot achieve. I struggled with limiting beliefs as a young girl growing up in Kingston 13. I thought there were limitations to what I could achieve. But I know now that this is not true, and I want our Visionettes to know that too.”