Senator the Hon. Audrey Marks to Be Honoured with Trailblazer Award at Annual UWI NY Gala

The American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) is pleased to announce that Senator the Honourable Ambassador Audrey Patrice Marks, Jamaica’s former Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States (OAS), will receive the prestigious 2025 AFUWI Trailblazer Award. This award recognises her significant contributions to diplomacy, her service to the Jamaican diaspora, and her dedication to nation-building. It will be presented at the 28th annual AFUWI Legacy Awards Gala on Friday, April 4, in New York City.

Other award recipients include William Mahood, who will receive the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Global Business Leadership and Philanthropy; The WISYNCO Group, which will receive the Corporate Award for Business Excellence; The Half Moon Hotel, which will receive the Pinnacle Award for Excellence in Global Hospitality Services; Thea La Fond Gadson, who will receive the Salute to Caribbean Gold Award; Althea Brown, who will receive the Vice-Chancellor’s Achievement Award for Excellence in Legal Financial Advisory Services; and Cedric Gayle, Esq., who will receive the Pelican Award.

The event gathers prominent leaders and education advocates from the Caribbean and the United States to raise funds for scholarships that benefit deserving students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI).

Senator Marks, a distinguished alumna of The UWI, is highly respected as a change agent, leader, and innovator in her community, country, and the Caribbean region. As a pioneering entrepreneur and diplomat, Senator Marks has shown a remarkable commitment to promoting educational growth as a crucial driver of national development. Originating from the rural parish of St. Mary in Jamaica, she has a deep understanding of the aspirations of everyday Jamaicans and their strong desire for economic and social mobility.

Throughout her career, which spans business, finance, public service, and international relations, she has consistently led initiatives that set benchmarks for others. She is widely recognised as the founder of Paymaster (Jamaica) Limited, the Caribbean’s first multi-transaction bill payment system, which transformed the financial services landscape in the region. As Jamaica’s first female Ambassador to the United States and the first to serve two terms, she has recently been appointed as a Senator and cabinet minister in the Jamaican government. Marks is a passionate advocate for economic growth and investment. Her business expertise and leadership have earned her numerous accolades, including an honorary Doctor of Laws from Northern Caribbean University and The UWI.

In addition to her diplomatic and entrepreneurial efforts, Senator Marks has served on several prominent private and public sector boards, including The UWI (Mona School of Business), the National Health Fund (NHF), and Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI).

Her deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of education has driven her advocacy for initiatives that expand access to learning opportunities, especially for financially disadvantaged yet ambitious students. This posture is fully aligned with the mission and vision of the AFUWI.