The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) wishes to announce the appointment of Dr Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Dr Rodriguez- Moodie, whose experience spans the fields of environmental resource management, climate change adaptation and vulnerability and project management, assumed her new role as leader of the 30-year-old environmental NGO on July 1, 2021. 

Commenting on Dr Rodriguez-Moodie’s appointment, Chairman of JET, Douglas Stiebel said, “On behalf of the entire board, I am pleased to announce Theresa’s appointment. She has an impressive track record as an environmental consultant, and we are confident that she will achieve similar results in the NGO sector,”

“As we celebrate JET’s 30th anniversary this year, we are excited to be entering this new phase in the organization’s leadership and fully expect more great work from the JET team. While the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted JET’s operations and ability to recruit new leadership, I am proud of all that we have been able to accomplish this past year, in less-than-ideal circumstances,” Stiebel continued.

“The process of identifying a new JET CEO has been a long one, which started even before the onset of the pandemic. As a board, we knew we had to approach the task with great consideration to ensure we found someone who is the right fit. The JET Board is equipped with the experience and institutional knowledge to support Theresa as she transitions into her new role, and she is well-positioned to pick up the mantle,” he remarked further.

Dr Rodriguez- Moodie holds a BSc. and a PhD. in Geography from the University of the West Indies. 

Her career in environmental management spans a decade working on local and regional projects for the private sector, government and multilateral agencies including the Caribbean Development Bank, the World Bank Group and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Speaking on her new role as JET’s CEO Dr. Rodriguez-Moodie explained, “Growing up I always had a deep passion for the environment and its sustainability. As the activist Wangari Maathai once said – if we cannot sustain the environment, we cannot sustain ourselves. I have always admired JET’s work, and it is an honour to now be leading this amazing organization. I have a vision of a clean and healthy Jamaican environment, and I am looking forward to working with  JET’s staff, membership, and other stakeholders to achieve that. We intend to continue to build greater awareness and understanding, so others will be as concerned as we are, we need all hands on deck.” 

Dr Rodriguez-Moodie becomes the third CEO of JET since it was founded in 1991 by Diana McCaulay.

She succeeds Suzanne Stanley who took over from McCaulay in January 2018, and resigned in June 2020. JET has since been led by a management committee comprised of former JET staff, including McCaulay, with close oversight from its Board of Directors.

 JET is a non-profit, non-governmental membership organization based in Kingston, Jamaica working in the areas of environmental education and advocacy.

Often dubbed Jamaica’s environmental ‘watchdog’, JET has a solid track record of public education and advocacy campaigns and legal work, aimed at promoting the protection of Jamaica’s natural resources.

For over 20 years JET has also delivered a very successful environmental education programme in Jamaican schools, the Schools’ Environment Programme, and has been the national coordinator of International Coastal Cleanup Day in Jamaica since 2008.