Duncan Siblings Reflect on Joan Duncan’s Legacy of Love, Family Values and Nation-Building at 13th Joan Duncan Memorial Lecture

The children of Joan Duncan participate in a discussion during the 13th Annual Joan Duncan Memorial Lecture aired on Sunday, May 17, 2026, on Television Jamaica (TVJ).  From left are Keith Duncan, OJ, CD, CEO, JMMB Group, Patricia Duncan Sutherland, Chairman, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, Donna Duncan Scott, Chief Culture and Human Development Officer, JMMB Group and David Duncan, CEO, Optimum Distributors.  Moderator is George Davis (centre), Deputy CEO, Nationwide News Network.

The enduring philosophy of love, integrity and family-centred leadership that helped to shape the JMMB Group, one of the country’s leading financial institutions, took centre stage at the 13th Annual Joan Duncan Memorial Lecture as the four children of the late Joan Duncan offered personal reflections on the values that shaped both their family and the successful company co-founded by their mother in 1992. 

The nationally televised lecture, hosted by the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) through its Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL) and the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, was aired on Sunday, May 17, 2026 on Television Jamaica (TVJ) under the theme, “What’s Love Got to Do With It: How Family Values Drive Entrepreneurial Success.”

In a historic first for the lecture series, Joan Duncan’s children: Patricia Duncan Sutherland, Chairman, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation; Keith Duncan, CEO, JMMB Group; Donna Duncan Scott, Executive Director and Chief Culture and Human Development Officer, JMMB Group; and David Duncan, CEO, Optimum Distributors, jointly led the discussion, sharing personal reflections on their mother’s unwavering belief in how love, openness, fairness and human development became the foundation of both family life and business success. 

Throughout the discussion, the siblings described Joan Duncan’s philosophy as a radical departure from the traditional profit-driven business culture of the time, instead placing people, relationships and shared prosperity at the centre of decision-making. 

Reflecting on the company’s enduring “vision of love,” Keith Duncan highlighted how the philosophy fuelled the company’s growth, noting that “most importantly about the vision of love is that it’s a win-win-win and as my mother used to say, ‘once you take care of the client, money will come, profits will come.’” 

Donna Duncan Scott, similarly, emphasized that the philosophy extends beyond business strategy to human development. She explained that the organization focuses on “teaching our team members how to really understand that they have greatness within them and how to manifest that greatness… how they stand for love for themselves and love for others,” while affirming that the vision of love “is not something we do, it’s who we are.” 

The Duncan siblings also reflected on how these values were first cultivated within their own home. Patricia Duncan Sutherland described her mother as authentic, emotionally open and deeply intentional about creating an environment where honest communication and mutual respect could flourish. Keith Duncan recalled experiencing what he described as his mother’s “unconditional love,” which gave her children the confidence to pursue their ambitions while remaining grounded in strong moral values. 

David Duncan emphasized that Joan Duncan’s philosophy also shaped her approach to financial inclusion and economic empowerment. He explained that she believed “anybody could walk in with a very small sum of money and be able to have that money work for them,” challenging the traditional notion that wealth-building opportunities should be reserved for the privileged. 

Supporting these reflections, several JMMB team members shared personal experiences illustrating how the company’s culture continues to embody Joan Duncan’s values. 

Rayon Stewart, Training and Administrative Officer, JMMB Group described the organization as one that “has mastered the delicate art of ensuring team members own their portfolio and by extension own their part of the company,” noting that this culture of ownership naturally fosters accountability, care and shared purpose among employees. Similarly, Security Officer Henry Muir recalled an early act of kindness that left a lasting impression, helping to shape his loyalty to the organization for nearly 30 years. 

Gifford Rankine, Deputy Chief Transformation Officer, JMMB Group also reflected on his own introduction to JMMB, noting that being warmly welcomed by senior leaders as an equal, created an environment that fostered a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose, making team members feel like part of a family and inspiring them to give their best in support of the organization’s success. 

Addressing the balance between compassion and performance, Diana Burgess, Head, Culture and Human Development, Trinidad and Tobago, JMMB dispelled the perception that a culture rooted in love diminishes accountability or discipline. Instead, she emphasized that love and accountability work hand in hand, creating an environment where individuals are both supported and held responsible for their contributions. 

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica underscored the relevance of Joan Duncan’s values to national development. He noted that “as Jamaica’s national STEM university, UTech, Jamaica remains committed to preparing the workforce of the future, not only with technical expertise, but with the ethical grounding and entrepreneurial mindset essential for nation-building.” 

Dr. Brown further emphasized that the lecture remains an important platform for preserving and advancing Joan Duncan’s legacy, noting that “her legacy as a trailblazer in corporate leadership, and a passionate and pioneering visionary was grounded in the core values of love, care, integrity, honesty and openness,” adding that “her commitment to financial inclusion and human development continues to inspire.” 

Highlighting key messages from the discussion, moderator George Davis urged Jamaicans to adopt a “vision of love” in their own lives, workplaces and communities, emphasizing that love, when intentionally applied, is not just a personal value but a powerful driver of sustainable success. 

Dr. Kevin Brown (centre), President, UTech, Jamaica shares a photo with (from left) Keith Duncan, OJ, CEO, JMMB Group,  Patricia Duncan Sutherland, Chairman, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, Kim Mair, CEO, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, George Davis, Moderator and Deputy CEO, Nationwide News Network, Donna Duncan Scott, Chief Culture and Human Development Officer, JMMB Group and David Duncan, CEO, Optimum Distributors during the 13th Annual Joan Duncan Memorial Lecture aired on Sunday, May 17, 2026, on Television Jamaica (TVJ). 

Leaders from the University of Technology, the JMMB group and the children of Joan Duncan share a photo during the 13th Annual Joan Duncan Memorial Lecture aired on Sunday, May 17, 2026, on Television Jamaica (TVJ).  Standing from left are Keith Duncan, OJ, CD, CEO, JMMB Group, Patricia Duncan Sutherland, Chairman, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, Kim Mair, CEO of the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, George Davis, Moderator and Deputy CEO, Nationwide News Network,  Donna Duncan Scott, Chief Culture and Human Development Officer, JMMB Group and  David Duncan, CEO, Optimum Distributors.  Seated from left are Georgia Robinson, Acting Head, Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL), Professor Shermaine Barrett, Deputy President and Provost, UTech, Jamaica, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, UTech, Jamaica, Olubusola Akinladejo, Acting Dean, College of Business and Management, UTech, Ja. 

Link to 13th Annual Joan Duncan Memorial Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqpuv2YrRN8

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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 970-5299
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