FOR Sherry-Ann Coke-Brown, life has been a delicate balance of dedication to her career and devotion to her family. With a remarkable 25-year tenure at Sandals Resorts, Coke-Brown’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and an extraordinary work-life balance.

“I’ve always had my eyes on Sandals, I can recall being a little girl from Grange Hill, Westmoreland, seeing the Sandals employees going to and from work and I was in awe. I admired how they carried themselves with so much grace, how respectful they were to others and how uniformed they were — it felt like an elite club,” she noted.

“When the time came for me at 18 to gain work experience in hospitality, there was no question in my mind that I wanted to go to a Sandals. I then landed a two-week work experience at Sandals Negril, which turned into over 20 years of doing what I love.”

She said she opted to work in the kitchen, and was stationed by the buffet which allowed her to interact with guests and other managers on the resort.

“I must’ve done a good job there, because, soon after I was asked to join the front-of-house team,” she shared.

Coke-Brown’s enthusiasm for her work led to a series of promotions, ultimately moving her to more guest-interactive roles where she truly shined. Her exceptional ability to connect with guests led to her transfer to Beaches Negril upon its opening, where she continued to impress with her diligence and people skills.

Ultimately, Beaches offered her a full-ride scholarship to Hocking College in the United States to further her studies in hospitality management; however, she graciously declined to pursue her dream of studying in England independently.

She enrolled at the Hackney Community College where she received her entrance certificate then furthered her studies at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College in the United Kingdom from 2000 to 2003, followed by a stint with Virgin Atlantic. However, her admiration for Sandals’ culture brought her back to Jamaica in 2004, where she continued to excel in several departments, ultimately transitioning to butler services 15 years ago.

“My first day in the butler uniform was a moment of immense pride. It felt like everything I had done led to that moment and that feeling is indescribable,” noted Coke-Brown.

Balancing her professional achievements with her personal life, Coke-Brown is a devoted mother and wife. She married her husband Chez in 2009, and together they have four children, Chez Jr, 13; 11-year-old Victoria; Lavender, seven; and four-year-old Ky-mani. Coke-Brown worked throughout all four pregnancies, demonstrating her incredible commitment to excellence.

Additionally, Coke-Brown has been a farmer and beekeeper since 2012, adding another layer of responsibility to her already busy life. At home, her children have picked up on her professional demeanour, often treating her to a turn-down service complete with a glass of water by her bed each night.

Her exceptional work ethic was further acknowledged when she was recruited to work at Sandals Royal Barbados in 2018 to train the new butler team.

Coke-Brown has been with the Sandals Royal Caribbean team for the past 12 years where she has continued to thrive as a department trainer, resort tour specialist and has received countless coveted awards.

She was the Platinum Team Member of the Year in 2021, and the resort’s first-ever Founder’s Circle Awardee in 2022, an honour bestowed to the team member that best embodies Sandals’ late founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart’s spirit of excellence in hospitality. She has also been a frequent winner of the resort’s Monthly Prestige Awards, copping top prizes as the People’s Choice awardee and Diamond Team Member awardee on several occasions.

Her commitment to excellence has never wavered, and she treats every guest with the same enthusiasm she did all those years ago.

“Sherry-Ann is a beautiful embodiment of a true Sandals team member. She gives the best care not only to her guests but her fellow team members. Her infectious smile, her positive outlook on life and her charismatic spirit are an inspiration to what we all aspire to be,” noted Dawn Smith, general manager.

Further adding to her list of responsibilities and achievements, Coke-Brown was recently certified as a geriatric nurse, having received her local certification at City & Guilds and then her ABE in 2024, actualising a goal she recently made of taking care of the elderly.

Her motto, “no matter how guests come in, they will leave happy,” drives her to ensure every guest has a memorable stay. She credits Sandals for providing numerous opportunities for growth, including courses at Sandals Corporate University. Her proudest moments are when returning guests specifically request her as their butler, a testament to the outstanding service she provides.

Coke-Brown’s story is a shining example of dedication, hard work, and the extraordinary impact one person can have in the world of hospitality, all while maintaining a rich and fulfilling personal life.