KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s former Ambassador to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Audrey Marks, has been appointed to the Senate of Jamaica.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the appointment in a media statement on Thursday. He congratulated Marks on her appointment and said he looked forward to her continued contributions to nation-building through her service in the Senate.

“Ambassador Marks has the distinct honour of being Jamaica’s first female Ambassador to the USA and the only individual to have served in this role three times across two different administrations. 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,” the statement said.

It further described Marks as “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,” the statement continued.

Ambassador Marks holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of the West Indies, Mona, and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, USA.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to Jamaica’s economic and social development, Ambassador Marks was conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ). She has also been conferred with honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of the West Indies and the Northern Caribbean University.