The enduring legacy of the late Mrs Joan Duncan, a pioneer in entrepreneurship and national development, will once again be honoured through the 13th Annual Joan Duncan Memorial Lecture, a nationally televised event designed to inspire values‑driven leadership and entrepreneurial thinking across Jamaica.

The lecture will air on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Television Jamaica (TVJ) and is presented by the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.), through the Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL), with sponsorship from the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, marking its 13th consecutive year of support for the initiative.

This year’s lecture, themed “What’s Love Got to Do With It: How Family Values Drive Entrepreneurial Success,” takes a deeply personal and timely approach. For the first time, Mrs. Duncan’s children will serve as featured speakers, sharing first-hand reflections on how her values, leadership and lived example shaped their entrepreneurial journeys and professional outlook.

The discussion will explore how principles such as integrity, discipline, accountability, empathy and resilience — often first learned within the family — can influence sustainable business success and ethical leadership.

Speaking on the significance of the lecture,  Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, said “The University of Technology, Jamaica is honoured to once again partner with the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation in hosting this distinguished lecture, a relationship spanning more than two decades and rooted in a shared commitment to entrepreneurship, ethical leadership, and national development,” noting that the annual event aligns closely with JDSEEL’s mission to promote ethical decision‑making and values‑based leadership among students and the wider society.

“Mrs. Duncan’s impact goes far beyond her professional accomplishments. Her legacy lives on through the principles she instilled: resilience, discipline, innovation and integrity,” Dr Brown stated. “This year’s lecture offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from her children who knew her best and who were most profoundly shaped by her guidance, and to reflect on how strong values can influence leadership and entrepreneurial success.”

Commenting on the importance and timeliness of this year’s theme, Kim Mair, CEO of the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, noted that the lecture speaks directly to the realities facing today’s entrepreneurs and business leaders. “At a time when many entrepreneurs, professionals and students are navigating uncertainty, rapid change and increasing pressures, this lecture serves as an important reminder that values still matter,” Mair said. “Mrs Joan Duncan believed deeply in the power of strong family foundations, ethical leadership and people‑centred decision‑making. These are lessons that remain just as relevant today.”

She added that the discussion is expected to offer meaningful insight for a wide audience. “Whether you are an entrepreneur building a business, a professional leading a team, or a tertiary‑level student preparing for the world of work, this lecture encourages reflection on the values that shape not only success, but the kind of impact we have on others and on our society.”

Through personal reflections and real‑world experiences, the featured speakers are expected to provide practical insight into how foundational values learned at home can translate into meaningful success in business and beyond. The conversation is expected to resonate with entrepreneurs, business leaders, educators, students and members of the wider public.

The Joan Duncan Memorial Lecture remains a cornerstone event on Jamaica’s intellectual and entrepreneurial calendar, reinforcing the importance of values‑based leadership as a driver of growth, empowerment and national development.

Members of the public are invited to tune in to the nationally televised broadcast and be part of this inspiring celebration of legacy, family and entrepreneurial spirit.