KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) has elected Emile Leiba, managing partner at DunnCox, as its new president for the 2025/2026 year, marking a leadership transition after two terms under outgoing president Phillip Ramson.

Leiba, an attorney with more than two decades of experience in corporate and commercial law, brings to the role a blend of legal expertise and business acumen.

His practice has spanned financial regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and governance skills that align closely with the chamber’s advocacy and policy-driven agenda.

“As Mr Leiba is the only nominee, it is incumbent on me to announce that Mr Emile Leiba has been duly elected as president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce for the ensuing year 2025/2026,” chair and director of elections Warren McDonald told the members during the annual general meeting earlier this week.

The chamber also confirmed a fresh slate of vice presidents, each of whom stood unopposed.

Martha Miller, chief executive officer (CEO) of National Rums of Jamaica, will serve as first vice-president, while Jonathan Swire, deputy chairman of Delta Supply Company, takes on the role of second vice-president. Colonel (Retired) Jamie Ogilvie, vice-president at Jamaica Broilers, was elected third vice-president and Janine Chin, a senior pharmaceutical executive, now holds the position of fourth vice-president.

Financial oversight will be led by John Butler, executive director at EY Jamaica, who was appointed honorary treasurer.

“As the only nominee to the position of honorary treasurer, John Butler has been duly elected for the ensuing year 2025/2026,” members were told.

Eight directors were also named to the board. They are Steven Bell, regional vice-president at Seaboard Maritime Limited; Olive Downer-Walsh, special advisor for government and industrial affairs, Hardware & Lumber Limited; Andre Gooden, group business development manager at the Jamaica Stock Exchange; Wesley Hughes, development economist and partner at HighStar Consulting Limited; Alexander Marston, group project manager at Musson Group; Shaniel May Brown, partner at Myers Fletcher & Gordon; Morris Nelson, senior vice-president corporate and commercial banking at Scotiabank Jamaica; and Marcia Woon Choy, co-founder and CEO, Action Coach Jamaica.

Outgoing president Ramson described his two-term stewardship as a period of growth and collaboration, pointing to achievements in advocacy, trade facilitation and small and medium-sized enterprises support.

“It has been a true honour to serve as president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce…This has been a journey of collaboration, resilience and shared vision,” he told members.

In his final remarks, Ramson expressed confidence that the chamber was “positioned for even greater impact” as he passed the baton.

The leadership shift comes at a time when the chamber continues to press for reforms in taxation, public procurement access for small and medium-sized enterprises, and stronger support for businesses navigating digital transformation.

— Karena Bennett