The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) has confirmed the appointment of Leesha Delatie-Budair as director general (DG), effective September 1, 2025, following an extended recruitment process that saw the position reopened earlier this year.

Statin’s board of directors, chaired by Robert Stennett, said Delatie-Budair’s selection signals continuity and stability at the agency, noting her two decades of experience in official statistics and her role in modernising the institute’s systems to meet international standards.

Delatie-Budair, who previously served as deputy director general and director of research design and evaluation, has acted as the Institute’s top technical lead since the departure of long-serving Director General Carol Coy in 2023. She has also represented Jamaica internationally, serving as national focal point on Sustainable Development Goal indicators and as a member of several UN expert groups.

Her appointment comes after Statin first advertised the DG role in late 2023 with applications closing in November that year. The search was reopened in April 2025 with a revised cut-off date of May 9, 2025, signalling the board’s determination to secure the strongest possible candidate for the role.

Stennett said the board is confident Delatie-Budair will “elevate Jamaica’s statistical capacity to meet evolving global standards” while strengthening partnerships and stakeholder engagement.

“The board is confident that under her stewardship, Statin will continue to transform and innovate, strengthening partnership and collaborative engagement with stakeholders as we work together in delivering high-quality, timely data that empowers evidence-based decision-making,” he said.

Delatie-Budair holds a Master of Science in Economic Development Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Statistics from the University of the West Indies, Mona. She also earned a postgraduate certificate in survey sampling from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and is a member of the International Association of Survey Statisticians.

Statin, which is tasked with producing official statistics for Jamaica’s Government and business community, has in recent years pushed to improve data timeliness, quality, and compliance with international reporting frameworks. The appointment of a permanent DG is expected to accelerate those reforms, while reinforcing confidence in the institute’s independence and technical competence.

— Karena Bennett