SHE is a woman of faith, a fighter, and a giver at the very core. Her testimonies and stories are as profound as they are many and they have served to inspire those with whom she comes in contact.

Monique Munroe is a powerful persona in her own right. She may have wavered facing the challenges life tossed her way, but she has never fallen or given up on anything her heart desired.

The 29-year-old income auditor at Sandals Negril and the hotel’s reigning Diamond Team Member of the Year was born and bred in the lush environs of Church Lincoln, Grange Hill, Westmoreland. Hailing from a community plagued by violence is another tale on its own, but, with all the challenges, she has never been late or absent from work without notice, in her over seven-year tenure at Sandals.

The Mannings School and Montego Bay Community College alumna is the younger of her mother’s two children and also the proud mom of two. Munroe’s introduction to motherhood came as she matriculated to the second year of community college. Many would have taken a break because of how difficult it would be to juggle pregnancy and the demands of school, but she was adamant that she would complete an associate’s degree in business administration.

She finished her final semester of school before giving birth to her baby girl. Not to be deterred, Munroe enrolled for another two years and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human resources, with honours. And, as with work, she never missed a school day.

Before her début in the hotel industry, she joined the National Youth Service, where she worked for little over a year. On her quest to find a job matching her qualifications she learnt of Sandals’ Hospitality Training Programme (HTP). She applied and was later informed that there was no vacancy in human resources. Nonetheless, Munroe indicated that she was there to learn and develop so she would be willing to consider another department. Accounting beckoned and she joined the Sandals Negril family as an accounting hospitality trainee in 2014. Following her six-week training stint through the HTP, the financial controller offered her the post of accounting clerk. Her hunger for knowledge and exposure in every aspect of accounting had her receiving training in multiple areas of the department.

“I have trained as a general cashier, in payroll, payables, and income audit. I am who one would call an all-rounder in accounts,” she said.

In 2017 Munroe was promoted to income auditor. Throughout her tenure, she has been awarded 31 times at the company’s monthly and annual Prestige Awards — a testament to the importance she places on her work and getting it done properly.

“I would never say my experience has been a smooth one, but I can tell you it has been rewarding. I love my job and I love the people I work with. Sometimes the demands of the job can be overwhelming but whenever I get to that stage I always reflect on the encouraging words of my former manager Shiline Deair-Graham who instilled in me some solid lessons that have followed me throughout my tenure with this amazing company,” she explained.

Munroe is an excellent income auditor and her colleagues had nothing but glowing words about working with her.

“She is one of the most patient and helpful persons I know. Weddings and Romance is a revenue area and we work closely with her as the income auditor. She has never missed an error made in any of our documents and she effortlessly guides us in correcting them. I have learnt so much from her and have so much respect and admiration for her,” shared wedding planner Crystal Tennant.

Munroe has the spirit of kindness flowing through her veins and it is no surprise that she plays a major role in the company’s corporate social responsibility mandate. Through the Sandals Foundation, Earth Guard, and Community Relations portfolios at Sandals Negril, she has given over 120 voluntary hours to major projects impacting the community, environment, and education, benefiting thousands of lives in the western communities, including her own.

“I love giving back and Sandals gives me the opportunity to make an impact. From planting herb gardens, painting schools, donating blood, serving as a fire warden, packing school bags and toys for treats to dressing up as Santa’s helper or the Easter Bunny, I am always happy to help,” said Munroe.

It was natural for her to gravitate towards all things philanthropic as she was raised to always give without thinking of getting anything in return. With her mother, known as one of the most kind-hearted people in the community, it was second nature for her to be serving those in need from an early age. In addition to her work with the Sandals philanthropic arm, Munroe is also a member of the Grange Hill Community Youth Club and has always donated clothing items, food, lunch money, and volunteered her time providing accounting assistance to those in need.

When asked about her future plans with Sandals, she promptly shared plans not only for herself but others.

“I don’t believe in ever leaving anyone behind, and neither am I staying behind. My aim is to always move and grow, and I never want to do it alone. I want this for myself, for my department, and I want to be on the growth trajectory with my company.”