SINCE joining United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) in June 2024, Kerry Lee Lynch has been focused on one central ambition: Ensuring that more Jamaicans understand what United Way is and how they can benefit from its support.

Lynch’s journey with UWJ began with her role as a project manager after being approached by her predecessor, who had previously worked with her at another non-governmental organisation. Lynch’s experience on the ground quickly convinced her to remain with the organisation.

Now seated at the helm of the organisation serving as CEO, Lynch sees visibility as one of the organisation’s greatest opportunities for growth. She says UWJ has already established trust through accountability, integrity and transparency, and has established local and international partnerships needed to deliver impact. She believes more Jamaicans stand to benefit from knowing about the organisation, as well as more companies benefiting from partnering with the organisation.

“United Way of Jamaica has been around for over 40 years. It has built its trust, established its accountability and developed great partnerships with corporate Jamaica and international Jamaica. What I saw was an opportunity to improve our visibility and let the everyday Jamaican know what United Way of Jamaica does,” she said.

Lynch’s tenure has coincided with one of UWJ’s most significant resource mobilisation efforts. Following Hurricane Melissa, the organisation established the Hurricane Melissa Restoration & Rehabilitation Fund with a target of $200 million. The fund has since raised just over $220 million, exceeding its target by 12 per cent. Of that amount, $117 million has already been put to work across six affected parishes.

The fund has supported 646 farmers, 190 fisherfolk and repairs at six schools, alongside investments in housing, health care, agricultural livelihoods and direct community assistance.

For Lynch, leading UWJ through the recovery effort has been a defining period in her development as a leader.

“Coming into this leadership role at such a crucial time, in the middle of devastation and recovery, really helped in my development. I had to develop my communication skills, my accountability and, most importantly, my integrity,” she said.

Despite the challenging circumstances that have marked her tenure, the University of the West Indies alumna sees the empowerment of UWJ’s team as her most significant personal contribution to the organisation.

“We are a core team of seven women, supported by volunteers, and the work that we do is truly remarkable. I take pride in having a team that is happy, empowered and knows that there is no limit to what they can achieve,” she said.

As she looks ahead, Lynch wants to build on UWJ’s established reputation while giving the organisation a stronger public profile.

“My legacy is really the rebranding of United Way of Jamaica. And when I say rebranding, I don’t mean changing the work that we do. I want to work on our visibility and our branding. We do great work here, and I think we deserve to be known.”

Lynch says her ultimate goal is for United Way of Jamaica to become a name that Jamaicans immediately associate with trusted community support and social development through resource mobilisation.

“I want United Way of Jamaica to be known across the tongues of Jamaicans. I want Jamaicans to know that they can come to United Way when they need help and that we have been here before, during and after disasters and social issues.”

UWJ currently focuses its work across four core impact areas: youth opportunity, healthy communities, income stability and community resilience. The organisation works with corporate partners, donors and community-based organisations to mobilise resources and support communities across Jamaica.

For Lynch, the work is ultimately bigger than any individual leader.

“The organisation doesn’t end with me and it didn’t start with me. United Way of Jamaica has seen multiple leaders and has built a great track record for itself. I want to build on that and leave an impact as a CEO, not just for me, but for the organisation,” she said.