Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, will step down from her post at the end of this month, several highly placed government sources have told The Gleaner.
According to The Gleaner, an official announcement is expected in the coming days, though it remains unclear whether it will come from the Jamaican Embassy in Washington or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. The sources also indicated that a successor has already been identified, but they declined to disclose the individual’s name.
At a recent event in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Marks signaled her departure, telling attendees at the David “Wagga” Hunt Scholarship dinner that it would be her last appearance at the annual gathering.
A historic tenure for Ambassador Audrey Marks
Ambassador Marks made history as the first woman to serve as Jamaica’s envoy to the U.S. and remains the only individual to have held the position twice. She was first appointed in 2010, serving until 2012, before being reappointed in 2016. During her tenure, she also served as Jamaica’s permanent representative to the Organization of American States (OAS).
Born in Saint Mary, Jamaica, Marks is a noted entrepreneur and business leader. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of the West Indies, Mona, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
Before entering diplomatic service, Marks founded several businesses, most notably Paymaster (Jamaica) Limited in 1997, the Caribbean’s first multi-transaction online bill payment system. She has also been involved in real estate development, transportation, and venture capital.
Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including the Florida International University Business Leader of the Year Award in both 2003 and 2010. In 2024, she was awarded the Order of Jamaica (OJ) in recognition of her outstanding service to the nation. Marks has also served as the first female president of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica and as chair of the Central Wastewater Treatment Company Limited.
With her departure imminent, attention now turns to her successor, whose appointment is expected to shift the dynamics of Jamaica’s diplomatic engagement with Washington.
Ambassador Marks’ tenure has been marked by strengthened bilateral ties between Jamaica and the U.S., as well as increased collaboration on trade, security, and diaspora engagement. As she prepares to step down, she leaves behind a legacy of service, innovation, and leadership on the international stage.
