“NEVER doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This quote from cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead aptly describes the passion that drives Tracey-Ann Creary.

Creary is the corporate development manager with responsibility for the management of JMMB Group’s land and property holdings and the execution of its real estate development projects. The seasoned real estate development professional, with over 20 years of experience in the public and private sector, gets excited about the challenge of tackling new development projects in an environmentally sustainable way, knowing fully well that she has a part to play in helping to shape the landscape of Jamaica.

Creary told All Woman that her path to being a development professional was not a linear one and happened quite by accident.

“I actually wanted to be an aeronautical engineer, but the funds were not available to pursue this path,” she said. Subsequently, she instead pursued a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine. On entering the field of development at Alcoa Minerals (Jamalco), Creary realised there was more to civil engineering and that is where the love affair began.

The defining moment that served to open her eyes and made her aware of the need to undertake development in a responsible and sustainable way came when she pursued a Masters of Science in Environment and Development at University of Reading in England on a British Chevening scholarship. Her thesis focused on the impact of urban regeneration on the Greenwich Peninsula, one of the fastest-growing areas in South-East London, which has managed to incorporate many green and sustainable concepts during its redevelopment.

Armed with her new-found passion and knowledge, Creary was determined to put all the lessons she learnt into practice and do her part in being the change agent she wanted to see in the development space. This led her to the National Housing Trust (NHT), which she saw as a major agency responsible for transforming the physical landscape of Jamaica in providing housing solutions for Jamaica.

Creary said, “I was always moved when I saw the joy people get from owning their own homes because it stood for more than just a house, but security.”

She, therefore, wanted to be a part of Jamaica’s development by bringing joy to people’s lives and building communities in an environmentally sustainable way.

“One of my proudest projects is working on the Clarendon New Town project, which was a detailed plan to build a new town based on sustainable principles, and used as a model for future developments across Jamaica.”

Her only disappointment was not seeing it come to reality. Other notable projects undertaken by Creary while at the NHT are the multi-storey car park in New Kingston and the NHT’s St Catherine branch office.

Creary went on to get her hands in the mix of building from the ground up as a consultant and later general manager at West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON). This stint served to deepen her development knowledge and competency in construction. Sharing that, as a woman in a male-dominated field, she enjoys her work in construction, noting that respect for each person and the role they play has been key for her success in navigating the space.

Excited by a new adventure and an opportunity to bring her skills, expertise, and passion to real estate development, Creary joined the JMMB Group team in 2021 to strategically lead the real estate development efforts for the company. She now spends most of her days overseeing the planning, design, and execution of commercial real estate projects, which is a new area for JMMB Group.

Creary admits she is eager to complete one of her current projects in downtown Kingston, as this is a part of Jamaica’s urban renewal and will complement the vision of Urban Development Corporation (UDC) to return the old capital to its former glory days, coming full circle to what sparked her interest in sustainable development.

“My experience in the UK really showed me that you can achieve development without sacrificing the environment.”

Being a part of the JMMB Group team means that she will be able to live true to her values and manifest the vision of the late co-founder “to build a socially consciousness company that is actively concerned with the conservation, preservation, and sustenance of the natural environment in order to ensure sustainable development”.

Sharing more, she said, “For me the area of real estate development is about paying it forward to the next generation, ensuring that we all take the best care of the natural resources that has been given to us.”

Although Jamaica remains plagued by unplanned settlements and gaps in its urban planning process resulting in many environmental and social ills, Creary is not daunted by these setbacks as she still believes and hopes that her vision for Jamaica’s development landscape will become a reality.

“I want to see more cohesive planning, with all the relevant agencies working more closely together to develop Jamaica, with the necessary reporting and monitoring, so that we can develop the physical space based on solid environmentally sustainable principles.”

When she is not busy donning her hat as a sustainable real estate development profession, Tracey takes care of her mind, body, and spirit by exercising, taking road trips, enjoying audio books as an avid reader, and spending quality time with her parents and friends.