Angella Grandison-Wander masters lessons in life, education and success
Published:Sunday | July 2, 2023 | 12:34 AMKeisha Hill - Senior Gleaner Writer
Angella Grandison-Wander is the epitome of strength, determination and perseverance. From her humble beginnings in Clarendon, she knew from an early age that she was destined for greatness. A Clarendon College alumna, she was known as a hard-working student, and her teachers, seeing her potential, encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
A trained teacher, Grandison-Wander joined the GraceKennedy Group as promotions coordinator in 2006, and within one year, she was appointed as the promotions manager and a trainee manager for the Consumer Services Division. In 2015, she was appointed consumer services manager at GraceKennedy, the successor to the affable Maizie Miller, who retired from the company in March of that year.
“As the name suggests it means all things consumer in a holistic way. As a company we do sell products but its more than just products. Our service includes after sales support, product usages and feedback. We do several programmes to include ones geared towards healthier lifestyles and health fairs, general nutrition and sports nutrition advice especially as the title sponsor for the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships,” Grandison-Wander said.
“We also provide assistance with planning recipes and meals utilising our products. We conduct sensory [tests] on new and existing products to ensure the consumers’ needs are met and exceeded,” she added.
Perhaps, Grandison-Wander’s journey with GraceKennedy began when she was 19 years old. In her second year at the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST), now the University of Technology (UTech), she received a scholarship from GraceKennedy while pursuing studies in institutional and catering management.
“I came in as a former teacher and instructor of food and nutrition and food preparation at the technical level. The subjects taught hinged heavily on consumerism, so I was no stranger. This helped well in my transition from education to marketing and I was able to marry both skills,” she said.
“During my tenure I have had a chance to gain exposure on and off the job locally and overseas. Having worked on several committees including CARICOM (Caribbean Community) on nutrition has helped to hone my skills and competencies. I have also benefited from several relatable conferences and workshops,” she added.
Grandison-Wander also attended the Mico Teachers’ College, where it was further affirmed that she was destined for greatness. During her teaching career, she taught home economics management and food and nutrition at Vere Technical High School and the Lennon High School in Clarendon. So successful were her efforts that she was seconded to the Ebony Park Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Academy.
Since joining the GraceKennedy Group, Grandison-Wander has continued to upgrade qualifications. As an avid reader, she has participated in numerous developmental programmes including a joint course between the Culinary Institute of America and the Harvard University School of Public Health and Nutrition and her master’s degree (MBA) in business administration from the Commonwealth of Learning and the University College of the Caribbean.
“I believe that excellence must be a habit as we are what we repeatedly do. No matter how small the task put your best foot forward. Do not settle for below standard or mediocrity. Always aim for that A, our only limitations are the fear we have. Feed your faith, and not your fears and watch how God works,” she said.
Grandison-Wander said she owes her current success in marketing to former marketing manager, Gabrielle Leiba-Sang. Her other mentors include former Grace Kitchens managers, the late Dr Heather Little White, Pauline Chin-Sue and Chef Mazie Miller.
Her short-term goals include completing her post-doctoral studies within the next three years. She also wants to ensure that the GraceKennedy Group maintains its loyal consumer base and remains relevant to them also.
“As we continue to evolve and grow especially in the digital space it is the hope that we leverage technology to reach our consumers anywhere they are in the world. We must ensure that whatever solution for meals that we innovate that the consumers are front and centre in all we do. And, as we navigate the next 100 years, we must continue to be the standard bearer,” she said.
An all-rounder, Grandison-Wander, does motivational talks for schools and other community interest groups. She also love being creative, and it plays out in her landscaping and curb appeal projects. She also loves collecting plants, art, and artefacts.
“I love helping persons especially concerning educational projects. I love to write and I have assisted in authoring two cookbooks, one in association with the Organisation of American States and The University of the West Indies for their 75th anniversary this year,” she said.
She is also an avid reader. The books she has enjoyed reading include the Bible and Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.