NCB Foundation

THALIA LYN, B.A.
Thalia Lyn is Chairman of the NCB Foundation, and a Director of Mustard Seed Communities, St. Patrick’s Foundation, United Way and the RC Archbishop’s Advisory Council. Mrs. Lyn holds a Bachelor’s Degree from ManhattanvilleCollege, Purchase, New York, U.S.A., taught at ICHS for a number of years and managed the Dealer Services Dept. for one of the largest Mutual Fund companies in Canada whilst licensed as a stockbroker.

Mrs. Lyn founded and is presently CEO of the Island Grill chain of quick service restaurants, which has earned her innumerable awards, including Business Leader of the year (twice) from the Florida International University Class of 2002 and Class of 2007. She was a finalist, Ernst & Young, Caribbean Entrepreneur of the Year 2001 and Observer Business Leader in 1999. Among the many awards earned by the company are Gleaner’s Best Fast Food (3 times) and Observer’s Award Recognizing Entrepreneurship and Professional Achievement Award for Excellence.

Mrs. Lyn is a Director of National Commercial Bank, Jamaica Trade & Invest (JAMPRO), Jamaica Macaroni Factory, Port Royal Patties, among others. In 2004 she was appointed Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Thailand and in 2005 awarded the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, Commander 3rd Class.

SHEREE MARTIN B.A., M.B.A.
Senior Assistant General Manager, Group Marketing and Communications Division
Mrs. Martin joined the National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited fifteen years ago, after working at PRO Communications Ltd. where she was first exposed to advertising and marketing communication. She joined NCB as a Management Trainee and gained experience in all areas of commercial banking and credit before being assigned various supervisory and management roles NCB's Marketing and Human Resource departments. She joined the Retail Banking Division as Manager, Personal Banking in 2001 and was later the Manager, Customer Service & Marketing in 2003. In July 2004, Mrs. Martin was promoted as the Head of the Group Corporate Communications Division. In June 2007, she was promoted to the post, Senior Assistant General Manager, Group Marketing & Communications.

She holds an MBA with Distinction in Banking & Finance and a B.A. Degree in Language & Literature from the University of the West Indies.

Mrs. Martin is the C.E.O. of the N.C.B. Foundation. She is also a Director of Universal Access Fund, as well as a Director of the Board of Spectrum Management Authority Ltd. and Chairman of its Audit and Finance Sub-Committee.

YVONNE CLARKE, F.C.C.A., M.B.A.
Group Chief Financial Officer
Yvonne Clarke is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience in audit and accounting. Prior to joining NCB in 2000, she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers where she gained experience in Assurance and Business Advisory Services.

Mrs. Clarke holds an MBA from the University of Manchester. She is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ) and a member of the Accounting Standards Committee of the Institute of Charted Accountants of Jamaica. Mrs. Clarke is also Chairperson for the Jamaica Bankers Association Anti-Fraud Subcommittee.

ANDREW PAIRMAIN, B. Sc., M.A.
Educated at Knox College, Meadowbrook High, University of the West Indies and Nova South Eastern University in Florida. Andrew Pairman holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and Management as well as a Masters in Administration.

Through the pursuit of his passion for high tech electronics Mr. Pairman has significantly impacted the area of information technology in a marked way and has contributed to the livelihood of many Jamaicans. Andrew’s exposure to business began when he worked in his family’s business where his management and leadership skills were developed. Shortly thereafter he decided to pursue his first love of information technology/ telecommunications and gave birth to Anbell Agencies Limited.

JOY CALLENDER, B. Sc., PhD
Dr. Callender holds a PhD from the University of the West Indies and is currently a Nutrition and Weight Management Specialist in private practice. She has been the recipient of an academic award from the Wellcome Trust(UK) as well as several fellowships from the Organization of American States (OAS) – Chile; International Diabetes Federation (IDF) – Florida; and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) – Panama. Joy is also a member of the National Food & Nutrition Coordinating Committee of Jamaica and was Chairman between 1997-2000. She has written 10 publications in peer reviewed journals.

LISA LAKHAN CHEN, B. Sc.
Lisa Lakhan Chen holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and Management from the University of the West Indies. She has attained over seven years of experience in Marketing and Sales in the Media industry. While working at Television Jamaica she captured several marketing opportunities and has used her strong leadership skills to implement sales and new development initiatives. Mrs. Chen is a result-driven oriented executive with comprehensive experience in business development and as a result has reaped tremendous sustainable revenue gains.

DIANNA THORBURN, PhD
Diana Thorburn is a lecturer in international relations in the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies, Mona (Jamaica). She holds a doctorate in international relations and international economics from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Thorburn is a director of the Development Bank of Jamaica, the Area Youth Foundation, as well as other charitable and private sector entities. She is married to Wayne Chen, and they have five children.

DIANA ODDI
For the past eleven years, Diana Oddi has progressed within the "Office of the Chairman" for Portland Holdings Inc.(the parent to AIC Limited) from executive and personal assistant to Michael Lee-Chin to currently Manager of Corporate Affairs for Portland Holdings Inc . In her current capacity, her responsibilities range from managing the financial affairs of a select clientele of high net-worth investors, to coordinating the development, construction and managing of an exclusive hotel in Port Antonio, Jamaica.

Diana's philanthropic activities roam from Jamaica to Canada. In Canada, she was awarded with the Ford Determination Award for 2006 and 2007 for her outstanding fund raising efforts for the CIBC Run for the Cure's fight against breast cancer. Diana is also on the Program Development committee for the Wellwood Centre at the Henderson Hospital, Wellwood provides information and supportive care services for those suffering and affected by cancer.

IRENE WALTERS, C.D., B.A., M.A.
Mrs. Walter, an educator, is the former Registrar of the Caribbean Examination Council. She was educated at Camperdown High School, Shortwood Teachers’ College, University of the West Indies and Teachers’ College, Columbia University.

She currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of the International University of the Caribbean, Chairs the Knox Board of Trustees and is a member of the Board of Camperdown High School and the Teachers’ Services Commission of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture. In 1998 Mrs. Walter was awarded the National Honour of the Order of Distinction, Commander Class and was named in that year as Distinguished Graduate of the University of the West Indies.