KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican government has announced the strategic appointment of Kedesha Campbell Rochester as the new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport. This decision places a seasoned governance expert at the helm of a critical ministry overseeing key national infrastructure sectors.
Campbell Rochester ascends to this pivotal role equipped with an extensive 15-year track record in progressive leadership, institutional reform, and policy implementation. The ministry’s official announcement highlighted her exceptional qualifications to steer the agency’s strategic directives, emphasizing her reputation as a transformational leader. She is particularly acclaimed for her proven capabilities in modernizing operational systems, reinforcing accountability frameworks, and achieving tangible, measurable outcomes that contribute directly to national development goals.
Her professional portfolio includes an eight-year tenure as director of a major national development program. In this capacity, she was credited with demonstrating significant vision and innovation by pioneering the integration of advanced monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. She successfully embedded results-based management methodologies throughout the organization, fundamentally establishing a corporate culture dedicated to performance excellence.
Further underscoring her appointment, the ministry cited her demonstrated proficiency in navigating complex organizational hierarchies, orchestrating multi-stakeholder initiatives, and ensuring that all operational activities are precisely aligned with overarching strategic objectives. Her expertise encompasses comprehensive program oversight, rigorous fiscal management, institutional capacity building, and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration.
Academically, Campbell Rochester is fortified by a Master of Science in Project Management from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from The University of the West Indies, Mona. Her formal education is further enhanced by specialized advanced training in Corporate Governance and General Management.
Beyond her executive roles, she has contributed to national policy shaping through service on the boards of several prominent public bodies, including the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). In recognition of her distinguished service to the nation, she has been conferred with the honor of Officer of the Order of Distinction. Campbell Rochester also serves her community as a justice of the peace.