Directors

Thalia Lyn

Thalia Lyn is the Chairman of the N.C.B. Foundation; Director of Mustard Seed Communities, St. Patrick’s Foundation, United Way ;RC Archbishop’s Advisory Council; Director of Respect Jamaica and Co- Patron of the CB Group/ UWI 5K.

Mrs. Lyn holds a Bachelor’s Degree from ManhattanvilleCollege, Purchase, New York, U.S.A., taught at ICHS for a number of years and managed the Dealer Services Dept. for one of the largest Mutual Fund companies in Canada whilst licensed as a stockbroker.

Mrs. Lyn founded and is presently CEO of the Island Grill chain of quick service restaurants, which has earned her innumerable awards, including Business Leader of the year (twice) from the Florida International University Class of 2002 and Class of 2007. She was a finalist, Ernst & Young, Caribbean Entrepreneur of the Year 2001 and Observer Business Leader in 1999. Among the many awards earned by the company are Gleaner’s Best Fast Food (3 times) and Observer’s Award Recognizing Entrepreneurship and Professional Achievement Award for Excellence. Mrs. Lyn is a Director of National Commercial Bank, Jamaica Trade & Invest (JAMPRO), Jamaica Macaroni Factory, Port Royal Patties, among others. In 2004 she was appointed Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Thailand and in 2005 awarded the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, Commander 3rd Class.

Andrew Pairman

Andrew Pairman is the Vice Chairman of the N.C.B. Foundation; V.P. American Chamber of Commerce; Board member at Ken Casa Development Company; Global Board of the International Reciprocal Trade Association and past President of the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica.

Educated at Knox College, Meadowbrook High, University of the West Indies and Nova South Eastern University in Florida. Andrew Pairman holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and Management as well as a Masters in Administration.

Through the pursuit of his passion for high tech electronics Mr. Pairman has significantly impacted the area of information technology in a marked way and has contributed to the livelihood of many Jamaicans. Andrew’s exposure to business began when he worked in his family’s business where his management and leadership skills were developed. Shortly thereafter he decided to pursue his first love of information technology/ telecommunications and gave birth to Anbell Agencies Limited. Andrew Pairman is now Founder of the Anbell Group- Anbell Telecommunications Limited, Anbell Media Limited, Anbell Trade Exchange Limited and the Anbell Foundation.

Sheree Martin

Sheree has spent the last fifteen years as an Executive driving business value in the Financial Services and Energy sectors. Known as an inspiring and strategic leader with the proven ability to establish effective teams and deliver results, she has a track record of achievements in the areas of Business Strategy, Marketing, Sales and Organizational Transformation.

Sheree spent most of her professional career at the NCB Group where held executive positions in Marketing,
Service Delivery and Non-Branch Channels (ATM, Online & Customer Care). In 2013, Sheree led the Innovation Strategy for Digitization before leaving NCB to join the Energy sector at JPS Company Limited. During her time at JPS, she led Human Resources, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Revenue Management, Customer Service and Energy Delivery (Transmission & Distribution Grid Operations). The company recorded significant improvements in its survey ratings for Employee Engagement and Customer Satisfaction while she headed those portfolios. Sheree then established the new Business Development arm of JPS and initiated the process for the setting up of a new JPS subsidiary focused on alternative energy solutions, before starting a new executive role at New Fortress Energy (NFE), a US based global energy infrastructure and LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) company in January 2019. At NFE, Sheree grew the company’s client footprint in Jamaica by over 50%, providing energy solutions which have helped commercial and industrial entities to achieve lower operating costs and reduced carbon emissions.

In July 2020, she returned to NCB to drive the Group’s Client Experience and Organizational Health strategies as part of a wider Transformation Program which has been initiated. In April 2021, she was appointed as Head of Retail Banking & Group Client Experience and now leads that business line which serves all personal and SME clients of NCB.

In 2016, Sheree was named as Jamaica’s representative in the IWF Global Fellows Program for women leaders. She is a regular speaker on personal empowerment and a leadership development strategist who has worked with Executives and Entrepreneurs across the region. She serves on the boards of several entities including Allied Insurance Brokers and the Planning Institute of Jamaica, and was a former Director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

Sharon Williams

Sharon is a career banker with extensive experience in the areas of sales leadership, customer experience strategy development and execution and people development. She currently holds the position of Head – Group Client Experience and Chairs the Group’s Customer Advocacy Council.

Her passion for people and commitment to excellence are qualities evident in her personal and professional life. Sharon is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Speaker and Trainer and uses her skills to support various activities across the NCB Financial Group, to include: developing and facilitating sales and service courses for the Corporate Learning Campus; being a Coach/Mentor and host for events. Sharon lives by the mantra – “Treat People the way you want to be treated”.

Sharon is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston and holds the title of Distinguished Lieutenant Governor of Excellence. Her roles within the movement include having responsibility for membership growth and retention and being an Advisor to Club Presidents and the Division’s Lieutenant Governor. Sharon has also served in several leadership roles within the Eastern Canada and Caribbean District of Kiwanis International. She also gives back to her alma mater, the St. Andrew High School for Girls, where she serves as the Vice President for School Affairs, on the St. Andrew Old Girls’ Association. Additionally, she is an active member of the Kingston Open Bible Church, as well as a Director of the Jamaica Customer Service Association (JaCSA).

In 2018 Sharon was the recipient of the Governor General’s Achievement Award of Excellence, for the Parish of St. Andrew.

Katherine Abrikian

Katherine Abrikian brings a passion for data-driven impact and deep experience in education, crime and violence prevention, and social development to her service as a Director of the N.C.B. foundation. She is a professional data wrangler, with over a decade of experience working on international and local development projects as a specialist in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning and as a program implementer. Her lifelong love of technology is underpinned by her training and work experience in software programming, data science and the use of automated processes in development projects. Prior to her transition to work on broader economic and social development initiatives, she began her career as a high school English teacher; she credits that experience with giving her a deeper understanding of the realities of the education sector and supporting her training and facilitation skills with an understanding of pedagogy, curriculum development and classroom management.

Mrs. Abrikian holds a Masters of Science in Economic Development Policy from the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College, with a double major in English and Political Science. She completed a year-long training program in full-stack software development from Ada Developers Academy in 2023.

David Wilson

Kanhai Skeen

Kanhai Skeen is the current Branch Manager of the NCB Ocho Rios branch, and brings to the Board of Directors, 22 years of experience at various levels of retail banking. He is driven by his will to succeed and sustained by the knowledge that success is a journey of consistency and commitment. As such, he readily embraces opportunities to participate in targeted, collaborative efforts resulting in development for person, peers, organisation and community.

As a manager, Mr. Skeen is keen on encouraging those in his remit to maximise on their potential, a desire that extends to everyone with whom he interacts. For him, success is measured by how well one is able to ignite confidence, as well as empower others towards continued growth.

This graduate of the Munro College and the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance. He enjoys reading, researching Caribbean and European history, as well as listening to good old school jams. It is his philosophy that there can never be too much knowledge.

Melissa Hendrickson McGrane

Melissa Ann Hendrickson McGrane has maintained a professional life of seeking to contribute her abilities to a dynamic philanthropic organisation, with a goal to build brand Jamaica, especially in the fields of education, health, and entrepreneurship.

As the holder of a Bachelor of Science in Education, majoring in Human Social Development with a minor in Elementary Education from the University of Miami, Mrs. Hendrickson McGrane served as tutor and assistant teacher across three institutions. Also, with years of experience in project management and strategy development, she brings well-honed skill sets, adding to the operational value of the Board of Directors.

Since 2012, several corporate entities in the services industry, including The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, The Knutsford Court Hotel, Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, among others, have benefitted from the operational guidance, Mrs. Hendrickson McGrane has to offer. This is complemented by active volunteerism which is a visible thread throughout her work in Jamaica. Prior to joining the N.C.B. Foundation, she has served as Operations Board Member for Junior Achievement Jamaica. 

Emprezz Golding

Emprezz Golding is a confident and experienced professional with over 12 years under her belt as a media and television personality, both locally and internationally. Over the years, she has taken on diverse roles that combine her performance and communication talents with her passion for helping others. It is her altruistic nature and devotion to today’s youth, women and our country’s most vulnerable that align perfectly with the Foundation’s mandate. 

Currently, Emprezz hosts a daily radio show and podcast called ‘Every Woman’ on Nationwide 90fm where she inspires, educates and highlights humans who are making a positive impact in the world. She is also host of Jamaica’s #1 morning television show, Smile Jamaica, where each morning, she helps wake up the nation with dynamic interviews and meaningful, insightful and inspiring conversations. Her communication skills and youth advocacy are further highlighted through her initiative ‘Talk Up Yout’ - a television show dedicated to highlighting issues facing young people, which, over the last 10 years has been transformative for Jamaica’s media landscape for the younger generation. 

Kenia Mattis

Kenia Mattis is a young, dynamic creative entrepreneur focused on providing opportunities and platforms to enhance education, creativity and entrepreneurship for Jamaica’s youth. It is this drive that has resulted in her appointment to the N.C.B. Foundation Board of Directors.