Joan-Marie Powell bids GraceKennedy farewell

After 22 years with GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS), its former managing director, Joan-Marie Powell, said farewell.

A subsidiary of GraceKennedy Limited, Powell's leadership, technical insight and operational expertise have strengthened the GKMS culture of innovation; expanded the company into new markets, and extended its service portfolio and reach in eight other markets in the Caribbean. In 2007, Powell co-led the acquisition by Western Union of 25 per cent equity stake in the company.

Prior to her appointment as managing director in December of 2006, Powell was directly responsible for the company's international expansion and relationship building with key stakeholders.

Powell's professional career began at Citibank after graduating from Immaculate Conception High School.

She joined GKMS as operations manager in 1991. During the embryonic stage of the newly formed alliance between GraceKennedy Limited and Western Union, she assisted in building the company, which resulted in her becoming its general manager with direct responsibilities for its money transfer services in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.

Under her stewardship, GKMS has copped many top Western Union awards including Agent of the Region and Outstanding Customer Service Award.

Although Powell attributes the success of the company to teamwork, her track record is well known. In 2000, she was asked by the dean of the Western Union University to assist in setting up a training unit aimed at improving the product offering and the service quality delivery of the brand worldwide. In 2001, she became a member of the board of directors of GKMS.

A former netballer, she enjoys football, cricket, and track and field. Powell is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston and has a passion for assisting needy children.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies and an MBA, specialising in technology management, from the University of the West Indies.