Senator Audrey P. Marks to Get Prestigious AFUWI Trailblazer Award in New York
Washington DC – Newly-appointed Minister with responsibility for efficiency, innovation and digital transformation Senators, Hon. Ambassador Audrey Marks, the long-serving ambassador to the United States and to the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C., is being bestowed with the prestigious American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) Trailblazer Award for the Class of 2025.
Senator, Hon. Ambassador Audrey Marks.To be given in New York City on Friday, April 4, 2025, this award was announced in New York by AFUWI to recognize the former ambassador’s exceptional contributions to diplomacy, service to the Jamaican diaspora, and dedication to nation-building.
Her award will be delivered at the AFUWI Foundation’s twenty-eighth annual awards gala.
As AFUWI executive director Ann-Marie Grant put it, Ambassador Marks has demonstrated “a remarkable commitment to promoting educational growth as a vital driver of national development. Hailing from the rural parish of St. Mary in Jamaica, she deeply understands the aspirations of everyday Jamaicans and their strong desire for economic and social mobility.
“Throughout her career—encompassing business, finance, public service, and international relations—she has consistently led initiatives that serve as benchmarks for others to follow. She is widely recognized 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, the newly-appointed Senator and cabinet minister in the Jamaican government, Marks has passionately advocated for economic growth and investment,” Grant explained, adding how Marks’ business expertise and leadership have earned her numerous accolades, including an honorary Doctor of Laws from Northern Caribbean University.
A distinguished alumna of the UWI, Senator Marks exemplifies the institution’s commitment to academic excellence by nurturing the talents of change
agents, leaders, and innovators who will ultimately contribute to the productivity and prosperity of their community, country, and the Caribbean region.
Besides her diplomatic and entrepreneurial efforts, Senator Marks has served on several prominent private and public sector boards of directors, including for The University of the West Indies (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.
The AFUWI Legacy Awards Gala 2025 will honor Senator Marks and her fellow recipients—William Mahfood, WISYNCO, The Half Moon Hotel, Thea La Fond Gadson, Althea Brown, and Cedric Gayle, Esq.— in New York City. This annual event gathers distinguished leaders and education advocates from the Caribbean and the United States to raise funds for scholarships benefiting deserving students at the University of the West Indies (UWI).
