Board of Directors
The Board is responsible for governance and the strategic direction of the Association. The twelve directors are members of the Association and are elected by its members at their annual general meetings. The President and Vice President are elected by the Directors. The Board comprises an Executive and three sub committees: Strategic Alliances, Media Relations & Membership Services and Research, Professional Development & Conference.
Dr. Cassida Jones Johnson
President
DR. CASSIDA JONES JOHNSON possesses over 20 years’ experience in Strategic HR, Talent Management, People Engagement & Integration, Performance Management and Executive Coaching. She is a former Banker with Citibank N.A. (Citi), in the United Kingdom, where her last position held prior to moving to Jamaica, was as a Relationship Manager for Nordic countries. Her last Corporate role in Jamaica, was with the GraceKennedy Group of Companies as the Group Chief HR Officer during which time, she spearheaded the transformation of the HR function to a strategic level whilst serving as the HR Advisor to the Chairman & CEO and overall responsibility for the HR Function locally and globally in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Africa, Belize and the Caribbean.
Her approach in Executive Coaching originates from the company’s business strategies and working through with Executive Leaders on cascading key objectives to their teams for alignment. Coupled with this, is assessing the executive leadership capability skills and developing action plans for enhancement towards elevating team interaction, motivation, retention and performance and integration, before and after Mergers & Acquisitions.
She pursued her tertiary level education in the United Kingdom, where she attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Law & Labour Studies, a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development and a Doctorate in the field of Human Behaviour. In addition, she participated in the Human Resources Executive Programme at Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is a fellow member of the Chartered Institute of People & Development, (FCIPD) United Kingdom from whom she received an award for exceptional service to Human Resources and People Development in May 2018 and March 2021.
Cassida has served on several Boards and continues to do so, whilst she operates as an Independent Executive Consultant since 2019. Her Clients have been from the Retail, Financial, Manufacturing, (FMCG) Sales & Distribution, (LPG) Sales & Distribution, Media and Advertising.
She is married with one daughter and two bonus sons. Cassida loves tennis, singing and possesses a black belt in Shotokan Karate.
Melissa Anderson
Vice President
Chair - Membership Services Committee
MELISSA ANDERSON is a Purpose Woman.
A Human Resource Professional with over 14 years of experience, throughout her fulfilling career she has held management and leadership roles in industries such as Hospitality and Tourism Management, Manufacturing and Oil and Energy. She has represented Brand Jamaica companies such as Sun Island Jamaica Limited and LASCO Manufacturing Limited and is currently the Human Resource/Administration Director for Total Jamaica Limited, a key player in the petrochemical market in Jamaica. Her passion is people development and organisational transformation. She enjoys the challenge presented to bring both people and process to optimisation.
Prior to making a full-time commitment to the field of Human Resources, Melissa spent the former years of her career managing five-star five diamond hotels, restaurants and entertainment facilities in the United States of America, United Kingdom and the Caribbean working with renowned brands such as Sandals and Raffles Hotels. She credits these cross-cultural and enriching experiences for her skill in using diversity as a great tool to foster collaboration and the know how to align a business to world class standards and best practice.
Melissa holds a BSc. in Hospitality and Tourism Management (Hons) from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Technology (UTECH) in Kingston Jamaica and is currently pursuing an MBA-HR from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University. She is a certified HR Practitioner, holding two distinguished certifications from the USA certification body Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources International (SPHRi) and a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). She also holds the designation from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as a Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).
Melissa believes in ‘Service above Self’ and is a dedicated Rotarian, where she has held the offices of Secretary, Public Relations Director, Family of Rotary Chair, and is currently the Public Relations Director for the Rotary Club of Kingston East and Port Royal. Recently, Melissa accomplished a personal and professional goal by becoming a Professional Certified Christian Life Coach by the Christian Coaches Alliance (CCA).
Melissa is a Woman of God and is a core member of the Go for God Family Church where she serves in several Ministries, namely Mentorship, Hospitality and Kids Ministry. She is a mother and describes her 11-year-old son as her “heart on legs.” She enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, dancing, laughing, learning new things and seeking out new adventures. She sees her life’s purpose as using her gifts to add value to the life of others, to help them realise their highest potential and live their best lives. She is a positive thinking enthusiast and has future ambitions of becoming a Writer and Motivational Speaker.
Leodis Douglas
Secretary
MRS. LEODIS DOUGLAS is currently the Human Resource Director and Lecturer at GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport. In this capacity, Mrs. Douglas is charged with responsibility to guide and manage the overall provision of Human Resources services, policies and programs for the entire college.
Before her tenure at GC Foster College, Mrs. Douglas worked at Ministry of Education, Youth & Culture as a Project Administrator on the New Horizons for Primary Schools Project.
Among her many qualifications, Mrs. Douglas is the holder of a Masters in Business Administration from Florida International University, a Bachelors Degree in Human Resources Management, graduating summa cum laude and holds several Diplomas: Diploma in Teacher Education with Honours, Diploma in Ministry from the Manitoba Theological Seminary in Canada; Diploma in Management Studies and Diploma in Personnel Administration.
Leodis has been the recipient of several academic awards among which are the 2004 FIU International MBA Scholarship, the 2004 UCJ/IMP Trophy for Most Outstanding Student, and the 2002 GSB Credit Union Renald Mason Scholarship. Mrs. Douglas is a certified Caribbean Credit Union Development Educator, (C-CUDE), and a member of the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica where previously she served as a member of the Professional Development Committee and volunteers as Facilitator at their annual Conferences from time to time. Despite a very hectic schedule for her worklife, Mrs. Douglas finds time to carry out her community and civic responsibilities. Since 2001, she serves as the President for the Friends of the Linstead Hospital, an association that helps the Hospital in her community. She is an active member of her church and served as one of the Directors of the Music Ministry. She is a Praise and Worship Leader who from time to time composes her own praise and worship songs.
But her desire to volunteer does not stop there. With an insatiated desire for volunteerism in the credit union movement, Mrs. Douglas works as a volunteer at G.S.B Cooperative Credit Union holding several positions from that of Departmental Representative, member of the Nomination Committee to Assistant Secretary on the Board of Directors.
Mrs. Douglas was elected to serve on the board of First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (the 2nd largest in the country) and presently holds the position of 1st Vice Chairman on the Board. She was also called to the Credit Union League and served on the Nominations Committee.
A Guest on one of the Nation’s television programme, Profile with Ian Boyne for 2 consecutive weeks, Mrs. Douglas is one who has fought many odds but with her tenacity, determination and indomitable spirit, has always overcome.
Mrs. Douglas lists her hobbies as singing, reading and socializing. She is married for over 28 years to Robert with three children: Tremayne, Lori and Robert Jnr. and 3 grandchildren: Kyara, Kathryn and Kaitlyn.
Colin Barnett
Director
Technology Committee Member
COLIN BARNETT is the Manager Human Resource Development and Administration at Petrojam Limited since October 28, 2019, with responsibility for human resources, records management and public relations.
Prior to joining Petrojam, Colin worked at Restaurant Associates Limited for 2 ½ years as Group Human Resources Director with overall responsibility for the HR function across the various business lines in Jamaica and the Caribbean and the HEART Trust/NTA for 23 years, 15 of which he served as Senior Director leading three Divisions - Human Resources, Information Systems and Technical Services and Workforce Development & Employment.
He is a current Director of the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ). His other Board affiliations include Jamaica Cricket Franchise Development Limited, HR Committees of Cricket West Indies and Jamaica Cricket Association, Jamaica Cadet Committee, National Housing Trust where he Chairs the Governance Committee and also sits on the HR Committee and Vice Chairman - Board of Management St. Hugh’s High School.
He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as well as the Association for Talent Development (ATD).
Colin Barnett holds MBA in Human Resource Management, BBA in Management and the international professional designation of Senior Human Resources Professional (SPHRi).
Mr. Barnett is a Justice of the Peace and the Rector’s Warden for St. Philip’s Anglican Church.
He is an avid sportsman, who represented his alma mater Wolmer’s Boys School in cricket and football and also spent 20 years as a freelance sports broadcaster, covering a variety of sporting disciplines.
Colin Barnett
Assistant Secretary
Technology Committee Member
COLIN BARNETT is the Manager Human Resource Development and Administration at Petrojam Limited since October 28, 2019, with responsibility for human resources, records management and public relations.
Prior to joining Petrojam, Colin worked at Restaurant Associates Limited for 2 ½ years as Group Human Resources Director with overall responsibility for the HR function across the various business lines in Jamaica and the Caribbean and the HEART Trust/NTA for 23 years, 15 of which he served as Senior Director leading three Divisions - Human Resources, Information Systems and Technical Services and Workforce Development & Employment.
He is a current Director of the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ). His other Board affiliations include Jamaica Cricket Franchise Development Limited, HR Committees of Cricket West Indies and Jamaica Cricket Association, Jamaica Cadet Committee, National Housing Trust where he Chairs the Governance Committee and also sits on the HR Committee and Vice Chairman - Board of Management St. Hugh’s High School.
He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as well as the Association for Talent Development (ATD).
Colin Barnett holds MBA in Human Resource Management, BBA in Management and the international professional designation of Senior Human Resources Professional (SPHRi).
Mr. Barnett is a Justice of the Peace and the Rector’s Warden for St. Philip’s Anglican Church.
He is an avid sportsman, who represented his alma mater Wolmer’s Boys School in cricket and football and also spent 20 years as a freelance sports broadcaster, covering a variety of sporting disciplines.
Karl Williams
Director
Finance & Special Events
KARL D. WILLIAMS, MBA, BSc. Dip(BA) is a highly trained and experienced management executive with over twenty (20) years successful leadership and senior managerial responsibilities in Marketing & Sales, Training & Development and Human Resource Management. He is a creative problem solver with a strong team ethos and has the ability to work with and get the best of multifaceted individuals from diverse backgrounds as well as being an influential communicator and motivator.
Mr. Williams has developed, facilitated and conducted numerous training sessions and workshops to a diverse audience particularly in the areas of leadership, customer service, communication, presentation & sales skills. He is the VP, Group Human Resources at Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited where he leads the value creation of human capital. Prior to his current position he was the AVP Corporate Marketing, and successfully led the transition of Life of Jamaica to Sagicor.
He is a sports enthusiast and football fanatic for the Reggae Boyz and Arsenal.
Carlene Chin
Director
Chair - Technology Committee
CARLENE CHIN is the Manager of the Management Consulting Department of BDO and has over nineteen (19) years experience in business advisory services.
She has a Diploma in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the University of Technology. A Chartered Accountant, she is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ). She also holds a Masters in Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Manchester, UK. She is a Director and Chairman of the Membership Services committee of the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ) and a member of the Continuing Practice Development (CPD) committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ).
She received the Member of the Year Award from HRMAJ for 2010/2011. She serves on the Board of Stewards and the Skills Development Centre Board of Trinity Moravian Church. She is also a part-time lecturer/presenter and have presented for HRMAJ and the University of Technology (UTECH).
Lois C.A. Walters
Director
LOIS C.A. WALTERS, has worked in the field of Human Resources, in the Public Sector, for almost twenty-five years. Presently, her journey has taken her to the Ministry of Finance & the Public Service serving as Principal Director, Human Resource Policy & Information Branch in the Strategic Human Resource Management Division.
Mrs. Walters is the President of Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ), a member of the HR Subcommittee of the CLA and former Board member, Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) & Chair of its HR-Subcommittee.
Her academic achievements include a Bachelor’s Degree in Literatures in English, a Masters’ Degree in Human Resource Development and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Sector Senior Management. Professionally, she has pursued a number of programmes such as the GOJ’s Public Sector Senior Leadership Development Programme (MIND), the Advanced Inter-American Policy and Innovation Management Program at Georgetown University and the Commonwealth Executive Programme in Public Management at the Schulich School of Business, York University.
In 2012, she was awarded the University Council of Jamaica/Joint Board Teacher Education Award of Excellence.
Mrs. Walters is a certified Trainer of Trainers and a PROSCI certified Change Practitioner. Her areas of expertise include: HR Policy Development, HR Management and Development, Leadership Development, Team Building, Recruitment & Selection, Customer Service and Professionalism.
Lois is a devoted wife and the mother of three energetic children. Occasionally, she writes poems, motivational & devotional pieces through the blog https://www.yardstyledevotions.wordpress.com/
Colinnette Wilson, JP
Director
Chair - Professional Development & Research
COLINNETTE WILSON, JP, has worked in Human Resource Management, Project Management and Information Technology with several companies including the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited and Cable & Wireless Jamaica Limited (now LIME). She is presently engaged to Sol Petroleum Jamaica Limited as the Company’s HR/Admin Officer.
She holds a BSc. - with honours - in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona; a LLB - with honours- from the University of London and a MSc. in Management Information Systems from the UWI, Mona and the Project Management Professional certification.
Colinnette has lectured at the University of Technology and the University College of the Caribbean in Information Technology. She sits on the Board of the UWI Placement and Career Services and is the Chair of the Duncan Tree Foundation Jamaica.
Colinnette is a firm believer in the common saying that it takes a village to raise a child and so has worked to improve the lives of children and young adults. A Major with the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force, she has given voluntary services to that organization for over 30 years as well as to the Webster’s United Church at which she has just been appointed Co-Chair for the Youth Ministry.
Colinnette also serves her community as a Justice of the Peace for St. Andrew.
Colin Ebanks
Director
Technology Committee Member
COLIN EBANKS is an experienced Human Resource Professional. Colin is the General Manager, Corporate Services at the National Export Import Bank of Jamaica where he has responsibility for the Human Resources, Administration, Procurement, Information Technology and Registry functions of the organization. With over a decade of management experience in both the private and public service, Colin has a passion for employee development, people management and the integration of information technology to improve operational efficiency.
Colin has led numerous training courses, developed performance appraisal systems and completed projects to increase employee output and personal development.
Mr. Ebanks holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of the West Indies (Mona), a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology and a Masters of Science in Human Resource Development from the University of the West Indies. He is an avid reader and swimmer. He is married with two children.
Michael McAnuff-Jones
Director
Chair - Strategic Alliance Committee
MICHAEL MCANUFF-JONES, Msc, MBA, SPHRi.
Michael is a graduate of Knox College and Knox Community College.
He completed undergraduate studies in Banking and Finance at CAST (now University of Technology, Jamaica). He also holds Masters Degrees as follows:
• MSc in Social Sciences/Human Resources from the University of Leicester.
• MBA (Distinction) from the University of Wales.
Michael is a graduate of the residential Executive Human Resource Management program of the University of Michigan, the Sales and Marketing Management program of the University of New Orleans, and a graduate of 2006 Australian International Banking Summer School in Melbourne.
He also completed the professional designations and certification programs in Banking, Corporate Secretarial practice, and Human Resources, and holds associateship in the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, the Chartered Institute of Bankers, and designated as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Human Resource Certification Institute.
Michael spent several years in Banking during which he held several key roles across the Scotiabank Group, including Accounting Manager, Assistant General Manager - Operations, Assistant General Manager- HR, Senior Vice President - Human Resources Scotiabank Group Jamaica, Belize and Haiti, and more recently regional head of Human Resources for the Scotiabank English Caribbean operations. He retired from Scotiabank in January 2017, and is currently engaged in part time HR consulting and pastoral ministry.
Michael is the Vice President of the Jamaica Institute of Financial Services.
Michael also serves as a Director on the board of the Nature Preservation Foundation/Hope Botanical Gardens, and is currently Deputy Chairman of the UTECH council. He also serves on the UWI Career and Placement Board.
Dr. Lois Parkes
Director
PR & Advocacy Committee Member
DR. LOIS PARKES is currently the Leadership Development and Institutional Strengthening Specialist with the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration. Between 2016 and 2019, she was engaged as the Regional Project Manager for the highly successful Caribbean Leadership Project. She served for over twenty (20) years in the Public Service in Jamaica, in varying capacities, in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Office of the Cabinet and the Office of the Services Commissions. Some of the key positions she has held include that of Chief Technical Director with responsibility for the development of the Strategic HR capacity of the public sector, and Chief Personnel Officer in the Office of the Services Commissions.
She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, where she earned the M.Sc. in Human Resource Development with Distinction, and of the first cohort of the Caribbean Leadership Project. In 2007, she was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship tenable in New Zealand, where she completed her doctoral studies in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations at the Victoria University of Wellington.
She has lectured in the field of HR and Public Sector Management for the past 20 years, at the post graduate levels, and have presented and facilitated numerous workshops and conferences across the Caribbean and in Australasia. She is also a Leadership Coach, having worked with leaders across the Caribbean and globally, in both public and private sectors.
Our Strategic Goal
Through initiatives in human capital development, accreditation, continuing education and public and private sector partnerships, we strive to facilitate the development of a cadre of HR professionals, as we increase public awareness and influence policies to support human resource development.
In addition, our goal is to empower Jamaican communities and enterprises to increase workforce productivity, job creation and competitiveness in the global marketplace in order to sustain Jamaica
Through initiatives in human capital development, accreditation, continuing education and public and private sector partnerships, we strive to facilitate the development of a cadre of HR professionals, as we increase public awareness and influence policies to support human resource development.
In addition, our goal is to empower Jamaican communities and enterprises to increase workforce productivity, job creation and competitiveness in the global marketplace in order to sustain Jamaica