Jennifer Griffith’s contributions to Jamaican tourism span long-term destination planning, investment in the sector’s development and retirement security for its workers. This December, the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) will recognize that record of public service at its 2026 Leadership Awards and Fundraiser.
Griffith, permanent secretary in Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, will be honored on Sunday, Dec. 6, at Loews Coral Gables Hotel in South Florida, alongside fellow leaders whose work has advanced tourism, media and community development across the Caribbean.
Serving as permanent secretary since 2006, Griffith is the ministry’s chief administrator, overseeing policy development and programs that support Jamaica’s tourism industry. Her leadership combines analytical rigor with a commitment to strengthening the sector and its contribution to national development.
Her ministry career began in 1997 as a tourism planner. She later became senior director of strategic planning and evaluation before assuming her current role.
Over that time, Griffith has helped advance some of Jamaica’s most significant tourism initiatives. She co-coordinated preparation of the country’s Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development and played a pivotal role in developing legislation to establish the Tourism Enhancement Fund. She was also instrumental in establishing the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme, extending her contribution beyond destination development to the welfare of the people who sustain the industry.
Before joining the ministry, Griffith spent nine years at the University of Technology, Jamaica, serving as projects coordinator, senior lecturer and acting head of the Physical Planning Division. She holds a bachelor’s degree with honors and a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University, along with a diploma in physical planning from the University of Technology.
In 2018, Jamaica recognized her contribution to tourism with the Order of Distinction, Commander Class.
Her recognition as a CMEx laureate celebrates a career dedicated to translating planning and policy into lasting foundations for tourism development.
The 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser is powered by platinum sponsor the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism with gold sponsors the Anguilla Tourist Board, Carnival Corporation and Tropical Shipping.
Major sponsors include the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission, Marketplace Excellence Corporation, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Additional sponsors supporting the cause include Coco Palm (St. Lucia), Comfort Suites Paradise Island (Bahamas), Fond Doux Eco Resort (St. Lucia), Jade Mountain (St. Lucia), Ladera Resort (St. Lucia), Mount Cinnamon Beach & Wellness Resort (Grenada), Grupo Puntacana (The Westin Puntacana Resort), Round Hill Hotel and Villas (Jamaica), Secret Bay (Dominica), The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Tortuga Rum Company, Tropical Attractions and Vanessa James Media.
Proceeds support educational programs, youth development initiatives and professional training designed to empower the next generation of Caribbean tourism and media leaders.
For more details, visit cmexmedia.org.
