There is a famous saying that goes: “a diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip”.

While Jamaican business investor and aspiring diplomat Ammoya Patrick may not agree with this dour assessment, she remains a firm believer in the power of diplomacy.

She has an intense passion for international relations and diplomacy, all of which led her to serve as a political coordinator and most recently, to represent Barbados at the Best Diplomats United Nations Simulation Conference in the United States. The all-conquering Ms Patrick copped the Most Outstanding Diplomat Award.

The event took place on October 16, 2025.

“My biggest takeaway from the event was a combination of learning how to handle diplomacy and gaining a richer understanding of the Caribbean and Caricom through a Barbadian lens,” she said.

The Best Diplomats Conference tasks delegates to create diplomatic stances with heightened negotiations and leadership skills being employed, focusing on the topic Business for Peace: Entrepreneurship in Post Conflict Recovery focusing on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), 16, 8 & 10.

She emerged victorious out of a pool of 70 competitors representing over 38 countries.

“Both cases had me deeply invested in representing how business for peace was and can be handled when linked with the sustainable development goals 16, 8 and 10,” she explained.

The SDG 16 promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions; SDG 8 focuses on decent work and economic growth; and SDG 10 aims to reduce inequality.

“I am deeply honored to have been recognized as the Most Outstanding Diplomat. This award holds significant meaning for me, as it not only reflects my dedication to the field but also reinforces my commitment to pursuing a career in international relations and diplomacy,” she said.

She hopes that this recognition “will open doors and create meaningful opportunities to serve my country”.

She represented Barbados and not Jamaica because she entered the contest too late.

“While I am deeply proud of my Jamaican heritage, I was equally excited by the opportunity to represent Barbados; another Caribbean nation with which we share strong historical, cultural, and regional ties,” Patrick said.

She noted the similarities between the two Caricom countries.

“Our nations are deeply interconnected, not just by geography, but by shared struggles, values, and goals within the wider Caribbean Community. Representing Barbados allowed me to explore these connections further and gain deeper insight into the unique contributions and perspectives of our sister nation. Ultimately, I saw this not as choosing one over the other, but as embracing the unity and diversity of the Caribbean as a whole, something that is crucial in international diplomacy,” Patrick said.

Patrick is a highly driven professional, investment enthusiast, and business owner.

Her leadership journey began early, winning debate and poetry competitions in school and later serving on student councils. She is committed to service and development, often volunteering and taking initiative in various academic and professional settings.

In her spare time, she conducts research, drafts investment proposals, diplomatic correspondences, and speeches, and writes poetry.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica on November 6, 1995, she now has over a decade of experience in the financial industry; spanning operations, accounting, and investment advisory.

She holds a BSc in International Relations from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean and is currently pursuing an MSc in Development Studies with a concentration in Governance and Public Policy at the University of the West Indies.

Patrick’s career began after earning a diploma in General Accounting from Stony Hill HEART Academy, which led to an internship with the Ministry of National Security’s Internal Audit Unit. In 2016, she joined Mayberry Investment Limited, rising from Junior Accountant to licensed Investment Advisor. While continuing to connect and engage in investment education independently, she expanded into insurance operations as a client service representative at Sagicor Life Jamaica.

She continues to pursue excellence in both diplomacy and finance, with a vision to serve as a diplomat for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean and the world at large.

She is determined to live her life by the mantra inspired by a famous quote from Oprah Winfrey- “You become what you believe”.

“I know I can become anything I want to be,” she said.