Jennifer Griffith, the long-serving Permanent Secretary in Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, has been named as a recipient of the prestigious Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Award. The announcement comes ahead of the organization’s 2026 Leadership Awards and Fundraiser, which is set to take place on Sunday, December 6, at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel in South Florida.
The CMEx honor recognizes Griffith’s nearly three decades of service to the Jamaican tourism sector, celebrating her unique ability to blend analytical policy development with a profound commitment to the welfare of the workforce. Since stepping into the role of Permanent Secretary in 2006, Griffith has functioned as the chief administrator for the ministry, driving programs that have solidified tourism as a cornerstone of Jamaica’s national economy.
Griffith’s path to this recognition began in 1997 when she joined the ministry as a tourism planner. Her expertise in strategic planning and evaluation eventually propelled her into top-level leadership. Her career is marked by several landmark achievements, including the co-coordination of Jamaica’s Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development. Perhaps most notably, she was a primary architect behind the legislation that established the Tourism Enhancement Fund, a vital financial vehicle for the industry’s growth.
Beyond physical infrastructure and economic expansion, Griffith has been a champion for the people who anchor the tourism sector. Her efforts were instrumental in the creation of the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme, ensuring long-term retirement security for thousands of employees—an initiative that solidified her reputation as a leader who prioritizes social sustainability alongside commercial success.
“Jennifer Griffith’s contributions to Jamaican tourism span long-term destination planning, investment in the sector’s development and retirement security for its workers,” the CMEx stated, noting that her career is a testament to the power of translating policy into lasting foundations.
Her dedication has not gone unnoticed at home; in 2018, she was bestowed with the Order of Distinction, Commander Class, by the Jamaican government. Before her tenure in government, Griffith spent nine years at the University of Technology, Jamaica, in senior academic and planning roles. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University, further rounding out an impressive academic and professional background.
The 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser, which will honor Griffith alongside other prominent figures in Caribbean media and tourism, is backed by a robust list of industry sponsors. Platinum sponsorship is provided by the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, with additional support from the Anguilla Tourist Board, Carnival Corporation, and Tropical Shipping.
Proceeds from the event are earmarked for educational and youth development programs aimed at fostering the next generation of Caribbean leaders. For more information on the gala and the organization’s mission, interested parties can visit cmexmedia.org.
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