Jamaica Information Service (JIS) family members recently bade farewell to their former CEO, Enthrose Campbell, who retired on December 31, 2024.

Team members gathered at the agency’s head office in St Andrew to celebrate the respected journalist and dedicated civil servant, who spent almost 30 years at the Government’s news agency, serving as CEO for the last two years.

Campbell’s illustrious career stands as a testament to dedicated public service and transformative leadership in Government communication.

“It was a really good 29 years,” said Campbell, reflecting on her time at the agency.

“It was good for me because I moved from radio to TV, to production, to deputy CEO, and then to CEO. It was a good experience.

“I am really delighted to have worked with all of you. It has been a journey, and I am grateful and thankful. Thank you for your support, you made my work so easy… because you all did so well,” added Campbell who started her tenure at JIS as a temporary editor in 1995, rising through the ranks and making impactful contributions before being ultimately appointed to head the agency in October 2023.

Among her notable appointments was as senior editor and radio manager, where she played a pivotal role in modernising broadcast operations, and as director of electronic productions, where she oversaw the agency’s multimedia content strategy.

As deputy CEO, she was instrumental in driving the agency’s digital transformation.

Campbell’s leadership was exemplified by her skilful media management of critical national events, including State visits and disaster-response efforts.

Another of Campbell’s key achievements was transforming the agency’s Get the Facts television programme into Jamaica’s premier platform for articulating Government policies and programmes, which, at its peak, directly reached more than 300,000 weekly viewers.

She also spearheaded the establishment of the JIS regional office in St Thomas in 2023 to enhance community outreach.

Beyond her roles at JIS, Campbell made significant contributions to public service, particularly through diplomatic translation.

Leveraging her master’s degree in Spanish translation, she provided critical interpretation services for numerous international summits, State visits, and Caribbean Community (Caricom) delegations at United Nations assemblies.

Throughout her career, Campbell pursued specialised training across five continents, honing her skills in media management, disaster communications, and digital journalism.

Her impact and excellence were widely recognised through myriad accolades and awards. These include the prestigious Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) Veterans Award in 2019, the 2013 Civil Servant of the Year Award, and annual commendations for crisis communications leadership from successive Cabinet secretaries between 2005 and 2016.

Aside from her professional achievements, Campbell dedicated 25 years to volunteering as a Sunday school teacher, positively impacting more than 1,500 children through youth programmes.

Acting CEO of JIS, Celia Lindsay, commended Campbell for her impactful leadership.

“[You] never faltered in providing strong and visionary leadership through the celebrations as well as the challenges, ensuring that optimum levels of performance would have been maintained,” said Lindsay.

“Ms Campbell, your leadership of the Jamaica Information Service and your many years of dedicated contribution have been sterling and a source of inspiration to many of us. Thank you for being a remarkable leader; your legacy will continue to motivate us,” added Lindsay.

In the meantime, manager of JIS Radio Department, Vaughn Davis, noted that Campbell was an instrumental part of his entry into radio production.

Davis joined JIS as a research officer in the Research and Publications Department in 2009 and made the switch to radio three years later.

Despite having no prior experience in radio production, Davis seized the opportunity and, 15 years later, credits Campbell for her unwavering support in shaping his success.

“Throughout my time in radio, Ms Campbell has always been very supportive and had words of encouragement and advice to help me grow and develop,” said Davis.

He added that Campbell “has always been a source of good professional and personal advice, and her cheerful and pleasant disposition has also been much appreciated. I wish her well in her retirement and hope she finds happiness and fulfilment in her second act”.

— JIS