SOME careers begin with a dream. Others start with a decision.

For Andrew Dunkley, the newly appointed assistant general manager (AGM) at Key Insurance Company Limited, it started with a choice: to take a chance on a GraceKennedy company.

In 2010, when he first walked through the doors of the then Jamaica International Insurance Company (JIIC) (now rebranded GK General Insurance), Dunkley was unsure of where his career might lead. He wasn’t thinking about titles; he simply needed a job.

Initially hired as a risk and reinsurance associate, he was encouraged by his father to “go with Grace”. The junior Dunkley could not have imagined that a simple decision would lead to a fulfilling career of growth, challenge, and leadership within the GraceKennedy Financial Group (GKFG).

“I had just graduated,” he recalls. “So nothing was drawing me to the company at the time, but my father encouraged me to choose JIIC because it was part of GraceKennedy. That was enough for me.”

From a technical powerhouse to leading teams

Job in hand, Dunkley distinguished himself not only by his technical competence but by a deep curiosity for both systems and improvement. His drive for excellence stood out, offering both opportunities and rewards. In 2012, proving to be an asset for the insurance giant, he was selected as the only GK employee to join a coveted Accelerated Development Programme, a leadership initiative designed to identify and nurture emerging talent within the group. He fondly remembers how this changed his life.

“That experience changed everything,” he says. “It gave me exposure to different sides of the business and opened my eyes to the many opportunities within GraceKennedy.”

From helping design a new insurance rating framework to leading the launch of GKG Online, and later supporting the turnaround of Key Insurance, each milestone shaped his leadership philosophy, one grounded in collaboration, resilience, and growth.

Innovation was his mission

“I realised during that time that this wasn’t just a job anymore,” he says. “GraceKennedy became a place I wanted to grow.”

He credits much of his growth to mentorship and leadership lessons learned from those who led before him. In speaking of those who have had a solid impact, he shared, “I’ve had life lessons from my father, my first team at JIIC, and my current manager, Mrs Hucey.

“They have all been instrumental,” he reflects. “I’ve had one formal mentor, but really, I’ve been fortunate to have several people I can call on for advice and guidance.”

Dunkley was quick to point out that, in leadership, he has learned it is less about technical expertise and more about people. “One piece of advice that changed how I lead was that your technical competence becomes less important as you rise. It’s more about how you mentor, guide, and inspire others.”

Like others before him, he carefully reflected on times when he faced uncertainty. “Each challenge required determination and an open mindset. Every hurdle presented a lesson.”

To manage self-doubt, he leaned on his values: authenticity, integrity, consistency, and a trusted inner circle. “That helped me stay grounded,” he says.

In his latest accomplishment, becoming AGM marks more than a career milestone; it represents a deepened sense of purpose. “It’s both exciting and daunting,” he admits, “but I’m optimistic about all the opportunities that exist in the insurance business. I see this as a chance to mentor the next generation, foster innovation, and strengthen the culture of excellence that GraceKennedy is known for.”

What he wants to accomplish

He’s particularly focused on building teams that thrive on collaboration and accountability.

“For my team, I want to create an environment where people grow in confidence and leadership capacity. For our customers, I want to improve the experience at every touchpoint.”

His days now start around 6:00 am and often end by 8:00 pm, a reflection not of burnout, but of balance through purpose. “It’s not that the hours have changed,” he says, smiling. “It’s just the responsibility that has.”

Motivation, he adds, comes easily when the work aligns with one’s principles. “I’m highly self-motivated and driven by a sense of accountability. Recently, my daughter has become my greatest source of motivation.”

When asked what advice he would give to other young professionals hoping to follow a similar path, his answer is simple but firm: “Be authentic in all that you do. Put in the work. True success comes from consistency, integrity, and the willingness to persevere.”

And to his younger self, the one nervously starting his first day at JIIC, he’d offer this: “Be patient and stay grounded. Everything unfolds when it’s meant to.”