JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation Champions Mindset Renewal in Education

In a powerful demonstration of its commitment to national development through education, the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the JMMB Group, proudly sponsored the Ministry of Education’s Region 7 School Leadership Conference 2025, held from July 14–17 at the Grand Bahia Principe Hotel in Runaway Bay, St. Ann. The Foundation contributed $750,000 to the initiative and played an active role by enrolling participants in its Conversations for Greatness transformational programme.

The four-day conference convened over 230 school leaders from 107 schools across Region 7, including principals, vice-principals, senior teachers, and department heads. Under the theme “Operationalizing Curriculum-Based Imperatives for Enhanced Teaching, Learning, and Student Performance,” the event focused on equipping educators with the tools, strategies, and mindset to lead with purpose and impact.

Yvette Gillispie Lewis, Education Officer, Secondary Schools and Marlene Shim, Programme Coordinator, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation engage in conversation at the recently held Region 7 School Leadership Conference hosted by the Ministry of Education at the Bahia Principe Hotel.

 

A key highlight of the conference was the integration of Conversations for Greatness, the signature programme of the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation. Delivered through an interactive presentation, the initiative fostered mindset renewal, self-belief, and purpose-driven leadership. Post-conference engagements will continue into the 2025–2026 academic year, extending the programme’s reach to schools within the region for deeper school-level impact.

Kim Mair, CEO of the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership, “We believe that transformational leadership begins with a transformed mindset. By investing in our educators through Conversations for Greatness, we are planting seeds of purpose, resilience, and excellence that will bear fruit in classrooms across Jamaica. This sponsorship is not just financial—it’s a commitment to the future of our children and our nation.”

The Foundation’s alignment with the Ministry of Education stems from a shared vision of empowerment, equity, and innovation in education. The Region 7 School Leadership Conference provided a strategic platform to operationalize national curriculum goals and foster collaborative, data-driven leadership.

Patricia Sutherland, Chairman of the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, emphasized the broader impact: “Education is the cornerstone of national progress. By supporting Region 7’s leadership development, we are helping to build a Jamaica where every child has access to quality learning, and every educator is equipped to lead with love, integrity, and vision. This is the heart of our mission.”

The conference also featured wellness services, breakout workshops, and a prestigious School Awards Ceremony, celebrating excellence in academic achievement, innovation, and school culture. The Foundation’s presence and support were instrumental in creating a holistic, empowering experience for all participants.

Through this initiative, the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation continues to live out its core values—love, purpose, and transformation—while honouring the legacy of Joan Duncan, co-founder of the JMMB Group and a trailblazer in Jamaica’s financial and social landscape.