Sips, strategy and sisterhood at Proven Women’s Day brunch
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From left: Toni-Ann Hibbert, Aisha Campbell, Janelle Pantry-Coke and Jodi-Anne Paul.
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The Spaces Jamaica team: Jodi-Ann Paul (left), assistant store manager and Jamelle Pantry-Coke, founder and creative director.
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From left: Francine Cameron, programme coordinator at Proven Properties; Ruth-Ann Lacey, senior manager of business development and marketing, and Philippa Wilson, marketing and customer service officer.
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Aisha Campbell (left), chief executive officer of Proven Properties and Latoya Williams, assistant vice president, Lending Solutions and Business Services, VM Group.
Celebrating the wonders of womanhood and all that it encompasses, Proven Properties hosted a special International Women’s Day brunch on the terrace of its Gladstone Drive headquarters on Sunday, inviting women from diverse career backgrounds to sip and savour the afternoon.
Dubbed Sips & Strategies, the brunch was the entity’s way of gathering female entrepreneurs and leaders in one space to share techniques for growing their businesses while offering tips on personal development.
In keeping with the woman-centred theme, the décor was all pink, from the place settings and napkins to the table runners. Ruth-Ann Lacey, senior manager of business development and marketing, said that Proven was happy to play host on International Women’s Day as the real estate company had approximately 60 per cent female leadership, which is practically unheard of in a construction-based industry.
According to Proven’s CEO, Aisha Campbell, the event was about celebrating women, particularly the diverse group invited to the function. “It is also a forum and a space for them to speak and give insights about lessons learned, to lift up and inspire each other, because that is what we need to do as women. And that is really the genesis of this. Putting together a group of people from different career backgrounds, different walks of life, different stages in their careers to cross-learn because the theme is about giving to gain, and that’s what we hope to achieve today.”
Music and laughter accompanied sips and small talk as guests were invited to sip their mint mojitos and sit beside at least one woman they did not previously know and learn her name and a little about her business or philanthropic endeavour. To sweeten the process of networking, a spot prize was announced to better incentivise guests. The gathering was soon invited to partake of the buffet spread provided by Chef Jacqui Tyson, during which the strategy portion of the day unfolded through a series of mini conversations, including discussions about their personal investment plans for 2026.
Speaking about how career women often prioritise everything else before their own needs, Campbell shared that at the start of the year, she made the conscious decision to examine her own personal needs going forward into 2026 and beyond. “There is a saying that the shoemaker’s children never have any shoes. Typically, we put ourselves on a back burner because we are so used to going, going, going, because sometimes life takes over. So this year, I made a conscious decision to really set out and make a financial plan for 2026. I have a lot of other plans for [my] children, and for my vacation, but where do I see myself financially by the end of 2026, and what does that look like? I set out some very clear goals, just like the strategies we do at Proven Properties. I kinda did that for my life and wellness.”
nicola.cunningham@gleanerjm.com