Dr Velma Ricketts Walker, CEO and commissioner of the Jamaica Customs Agency, was officially inducted as an Honorary Member of the Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean (WiMAC) during the organisation’s 10th anniversary gala held on Monday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
The induction puts her among an elite group of women, helping to shape the future of maritime affairs in the region, and marks strong support for her work in trade, border security, and the maritime space. In accepting the honour, Ricketts Walker described the moment as “not just symbolic”, but “a sacred charge to continue building bridges between customs and maritime stakeholders, to mentor the next generation of women leaders, and to speak boldly where silence once reigned”.
Commending WiMAC for its decade of impact, she hailed the association as “a beacon for what is possible when women unite to shape the future of maritime” and praised its work in “shattering silos, opening doors, and lifting voices” in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
She also lauded the Jamaican Chapter, led by its president, Valrie Campbell, for building a strong local legacy that has helped to position Jamaica as a regional leader in maritime excellence.
She used the opportunity to call for greater inclusion, leadership, and innovation across the industry.
“WiMAC dares to ask – and answer – the important questions: What if more women led vessels, port terminals, logistics hubs, and regulatory agencies? What if boardrooms reflected the diversity of those who keep global trade moving?” she said. “Let us be clear: women are already shaping the future of maritime. We are not just participating – we are pioneering it.”
The newly inducted member has a long and distinguished history in the Customs and maritime sectors. A seasoned public servant, Ricketts Walker began her career in Customs in 1999 and rose through the ranks to become CEO and commissioner of Customs in 2017. Her contributions to public service have earned her the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) and an honorary Doctor of Laws from the Caribbean Maritime University.
A ROLE MODEL
During his address, Dean Roy Bernard, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, commended Ricketts Walker on her induction, highlighting her long-standing contribution to the field of Customs and border security. He acknowledged her leadership as a vital force in shaping regional trade and enforcement standards and hailed her as a role model for women aspiring to excel in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
Meanwhile, guest speaker Corah-Ann Robertson Sylvester, president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), lauded Ricketts Walker on her achievements and challenged women not to conform but to transform the spaces they occupy.
“My lesson to women here today is: Don’t shrink to fit the space. Redefine it,” she said. The maritime sector doesn’t need us to blend in. It needs us to stand out. It needs innovation, not imitation.”
Robertson Sylvester also shared that meaningful leadership is not about personal advancement but about paving the way for others.
“Leadership is not about being first. It’s about making sure you’re not the last,” she stated, urging established leaders to continue opening doors for the next generation of women in the sector.
The WiMAC is a regional network established in 2015 under the support of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica. WiMAC is dedicated to promoting the advancement, visibility, and equal participation of women in the maritime and related industries across the Caribbean. Other notable members include Chief of Defence Staff Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman; Denise Lynn Fatt, the first female president of the SAJ; and Valeria Campbell, the first woman to head terminal operations at Kingston Wharves Limited and current Chapter Chair.
