Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) members; mentees; representatives of the Child Protection & Family Services Agency (CPFSA) and GraceKennedy Group at the WLI Speed Mentorship Event on Saturday, August 30, 2025.  The event is designed to empower and equip youth beneficiaries with essential skills for personal and professional growth.

Women’s Leadership Initiative Hosts Speed Mentorship Event Empowering COJO Scholars 

Kingston, Jamaica – September 3, 2025

The Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), in collaboration with Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO), hosted a dynamic Speed Mentorship Event on Saturday, August 30, designed to empower and equip youth beneficiaries with essential skills for personal and professional growth.

The seven mentees, most of whom are 2024 COJO scholars, were recruited through the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA). This collaboration between COJO and WLI was inspired by the late Marcia Erskine, who was beloved by both organizations and actively involved in their missions before passing.  Her legacy of mentorship and empowerment continues today, with Marcia Erskine and Associates, led by her son Machel Erskine, also partnering with WLI and COJO to provide public relations services for the programme.

The 2025 mentees included: David Bernard, Rayon Davis, Nicola Campbell, Rianna Bryan, Kendra McFarlane, Marisha Peddie, and Damion James. The event brought together a distinguished group of WLI mentors: Sharon Lake, Mellissa McHargh, Grace Burnett, Marjorie Kennedy, Renee Menzies McCallum, Roxann Linton, and Machel Erskine.

The mentorship programme focused on four interactive themes—Career Navigation and Planning, Workplace Readiness, Skills and Development, and Corporate Culture Dynamics—with mentees rotating through stations for tailored discussions. They were also provided with note sheets on mentorship, podcast recommendations for continued learning, and were encouraged to share their knowledge with peers to create a ripple effect of improvement in their communities.

GK Capital Retail Wealth Advisor, Oshane Allen (2nd left) in discussion with WLI mentees (l-r) Kendra McFarlane; David Bernard and Rayon Davis at the WLI Speed Mentorship Event on Saturday, August 30, designed to empower and equip youth beneficiaries with essential skills for personal and professional growth.

In addition to receiving mentoring, each mentee was presented with the Future Leaders Award, valued at $20,000 and funded by both the DaCosta family in honour of the late WLI member, Jacqueline DaCosta and the WLI .

Roxann Linton, Chair of WLI, praised the partnerships that made the event possible:

“This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration. Together with COJO, CPFSA, and our sponsors, we are not only investing in individuals but in the future of Jamaica.”

Grace Burnett, Mentorship Committee Chair, reflected on the value of the work done by the Mentorship Committee:

“At WLI, we believe in mentorship as a tool for transformation. By investing in young people today, we are preparing leaders who will shape Jamaica’s tomorrow.”

Mellissa McHargh, Deputy Chair of WLI and the Mentorship Committee, explained the structure of the initiative:

“Our aim was to create a safe and impactful space where mentees could explore career paths, build readiness for the workplace, strengthen their skill sets, and understand the dynamics of corporate culture.”

Sandrina Davis, General Manager of the Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation, and GK Capital’s Retail Wealth Advisor, Oshane Allen were guest speakers at the event. Davis highlighted that “Mentorship is about building trust, setting expectations, and creating sustainable relationships between mentor and mentee. This foundation is what allows real growth to happen.”

From left: Sandrina Davis, General Manager of the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation; WLI’s Mellissa McHargh, Deputy Chair; Roxann Linton, Chair, Grace Burnett, Mentorship Chair and Oshane Allen (right), GK Capital Retail Wealth Advisor with mentees at the WLI Speed Mentorship Event on Saturday, August 30, designed to empower and equip youth beneficiaries with essential skills for personal and professional growth.

Allen provided financial guidance: “Mentorship and financial literacy go hand-in-hand. Early guidance and investment can make the difference between surviving and thriving.”

Rayon Davis, a 2024 COJO Scholarship recipient and mentee, shared his perspective:

“The mentorship programme gave me clarity on how to prepare for the workplace and make the right choices for my future. I feel better equipped, and I plan to share what I’ve learned with others so they too can benefit.”

Sponsors and partners played a vital role in ensuring the event’s success. The Lake Group and the Restaurants Associates Limited generously hosted the sessions at their corporate headquarters, providing refreshments, venue support, and meal vouchers for the mentees valid across Popeye’s, Little Caesars, and Burger King.  In addition, $10,000 book vouchers were provided by GK Capital for use at Kingston Bookshop, enhancing access to educational resources.   In addition, WLI also expressed gratitude to CPFSA for its role in identifying the deserving students,

Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) members (seated right) Renee Menzies McCallum and Roxann Linton, Chair and Oshane Allen (standing), GK Capital Retail Wealth Advisor conducting one of the speed mentorship sessions with mentees at the WLI Speed Mentorship Event on Saturday, August 30, 2025.  The event is designed to empower and equip youth beneficiaries with essential skills for personal and professional growth.

The event celebrated the leadership potential of the 2024 COJO Scholarship recipients, highlighting their strengths and commitment to excellence and underscoring WLI’s continued focus on supporting the growth and development of young people who require guidance and opportunities to realize their full potential.

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