Scotiabank staff, clients, competitors and friends last Friday joined in wishing outgoing Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica executive vice-president and deputy CEO Minna Israel a fond farewell and continued success in the Bahamas where she will take up her new posting as managing director of Scotiabank Bahamas.

The appointment makes Israel the only woman Scotiabank CEO in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

The Blue Mountain Suite of Kingston’s Knutsford Court Hotel provided the setting for a convivial evening, with many of her colleagues offering encouragement and advice. Israel was also the subject of a video feature, entitled “Pacesetter”, with recorded testimonials from fellow executives, clients and staff members.

ScotiaBank Jamaica CEO Bill Clarke used the opportunity to mildly “roast” his former number two. Declaring himself to be a fixture, Clarke said his role was to oversee the training and development of individuals to the very highest level. The CEO also joked that he joined the bank as a Clarke (clerk) and would remain a Clarke, adding that since it was unlikely that Israel would be returning to Jamaica, she would have to do well for Scotia in the Bahamas.

In her reply, Israel described her departure as emotional, in light not only of her accomplishments, but of the relationships forged and the experience gained.

Israel joined Scotiabank Jamaica in 1991 and rapidly worked her way through the management ranks into senior management and to the executive and senior executive levels. She is known for having sharpened the bank’s customer relationship focus, as well as for launching the Women’s Network, an in-house group focused on advancing the upward mobility of women in the bank.