Ambassador Audrey Marks has been appointed to the Jamaican Senate, the Office of the Prime Minister announced in a media release on Thursday.
In a statement, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that Audrey Marks brings a wealth of experience in diplomacy, business, and public service to her new role.
“Her extensive experience in strengthening Jamaica-USA bilateral relations and advocating for Jamaica’s interests at the OAS will be invaluable in her new role in national policy and legislative development,” said Holness.
“Beyond her diplomatic achievements, Ambassador Marks has an exemplary record as an entrepreneur and business leader. As the founder of Paymaster (Jamaica) Limited, she revolutionised Jamaica’s financial services sector by introducing one of the world’s first internet-based multi-payment systems. Her success in business, including ventures in agriculture, transportation, and real estate, has earned her numerous awards and recognitions both locally and internationally,” he added.
Holness said he looks forward to her continued contributions to nation-building through her service in the Senate.
Marks, who has served as Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) since 2016, is set to transition into her new role after a historic tenure in diplomatic service. She 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—first from 2010 to 2012 and then again from 2016.
Earlier in the day, reports indicated that Ambassador Marks would step down from her diplomatic post at the end of this month. The publication also noted that a successor has been identified, but no name has been disclosed.
At a recent event in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Marks alluded to her departure, telling attendees at the David “Wagga” Hunt Scholarship Dinner that it would be her final appearance at the annual gathering.
A distinguished career as a Jamaican diplomat
Born in Saint Mary, Jamaica, Marks has long been recognized for her contributions to business and public service. 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 Paymaster (Jamaica) Limited in 1997, establishing the Caribbean’s first multi-transaction online bill payment system. Over the years, she expanded her business portfolio into real estate development, transportation, and venture capital. She has also served as the first female president of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica and chaired the Central Wastewater Treatment Company Limited.
Her outstanding service has earned her 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), one of the nation’s highest honors.
While her next steps in the Senate remain to be outlined, Audrey Marks’ appointment signals a new chapter in her storied career, one that is expected to further shape Jamaica’s political and economic landscape. It is not yet clear who will succeed her as Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States.
