Jamaican Embassy staff bid farewell to Ambassador Antony Anderson

Staff members at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C., gathered on Thursday to bid farewell to outgoing Ambassador Antony Anderson, celebrating a tenure marked by leadership, mentorship and service.

The farewell ceremony, held at the embassy's conference room, featured tributes, reflections and expressions of appreciation from staff members who described Anderson's impact on both the mission and its personnel during his year-long posting in the U.S. capital.

During his tenure, Anderson oversaw the mission during a period of active engagement with the Jamaican diaspora, strengthened bilateral relations, consular service initiatives and Jamaica's advocacy on regional and international matters.

Master of Ceremonies Derrick Scott described the occasion as one filled with mixed emotions, balancing gratitude for Anderson's service with sadness at his departure.

"Although Ambassador Anderson's posting was relatively brief, his influence on the Embassy and the Jamaican diaspora throughout the United States had been profound," Scott said.

Deputy Chief of Mission Lishann Salmon delivered a tribute in the form of a poem she wrote for the occasion, highlighting leadership lessons she said Anderson imparted during his tenure, including the values of discipline, integrity, preparation and excellence.

She described him as a calm and thoughtful leader whose example demonstrated that effective leadership is often expressed through steady guidance and sound judgment rather than grand gestures.

Staff members from across the mission shared personal reflections on Anderson's leadership, noting his commitment to professional development, accessibility and encouragement of continuous growth.

Executive Assistant Melissa Baker described the ambassador as "more than a boss," saying he had become a mentor who inspired confidence and encouraged staff to embrace new opportunities.

Trade Officer Aliecia Taylor praised Anderson's professionalism, humility and dedication to Jamaica, while Mission Accountant Ruth Benbow reflected on lessons learned from his emphasis on consistency, discipline and attention to detail.

Throughout the ceremony, speakers highlighted Anderson's belief in excellence and his conviction that every member of the team had the potential to achieve more.

Responding to the tributes, Anderson thanked staff for their support and friendship during his time in Washington.

"What I cherish about the year is really you guys," he said. "Meeting you, working with you and watching you grow."

He encouraged staff members to continue pursuing personal and professional development and urged them to approach challenges with courage and determination.

"You don't have to accept anything as it is," Anderson said. "You don't have to be stuck anywhere. You can move on and move up, always. It takes courage, but everything you want is on the other side of fear."

The ambassador also urged Jamaicans to reject cynicism and remain confident in the country's ability to achieve progress through innovation, hard work and commitment.

"We have a country that can do great things in the world," he said. "The mission is always to leave people behind who can do better than you and better than they were doing before."

Anderson officially assumed his new role as chief executive officer of Jamaica's National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority on June 1.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of farewell gifts, photographs and final expressions of appreciation from staff members.

Scott thanked Anderson for his contribution to the mission and his service to Jamaica, noting that he arrived in Washington with an already distinguished record of public service and leaves having further strengthened that legacy.

Anderson departs Washington with the admiration and respect of embassy staff, who wished him continued success in his new national assignment.