GoodHeart | Winsome Callum honoured with Woman in Energy Award

Winsome Callum, director of corporate communications at the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), has been honoured with the 2026 Woman in Energy Award by the Canadian High Commission, recognising her 29 years of service to Jamaica’s energy sector. Callum received the award on Thursday, October 15, during a recognition luncheon at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew. The award celebrates women whose contributions have helped advance the energy sector through leadership, resilience and a commitment to overcoming traditional barriers.

Reflecting on the honour, Callum welcomed the recognition of professionals whose contributions extend beyond the technical aspects of energy.

“I have had the extraordinary privilege of a front-row seat to the transformation of Jamaica’s energy sector, and the honour of helping to tell that story,” she said.

Her recognition highlights the importance of communication, stakeholder engagement and community relations in an industry often defined by technical and infrastructural advancements.

Since joining JPS in May 1997, Callum has played a key role in strengthening the relationship between the electricity provider and its customers while communicating major developments in the sector, including the transition from government to private ownership, fuel diversification and grid modernisation.

Stronger customer relationships

A significant part of that journey has been engaging directly with Jamaicans. When she joined the company, her mandate was to build stronger customer relationships. This took her beyond traditional corporate communication channels and into communities across the island, where she engaged customers through radio talk shows, meetings at business places, rural shopfronts, buses and bus parks.

“I wanted to hear our customers, understand their concerns, help them find answers, and, above all, ensure they felt seen, heard and valued,” she recalled.

Her nearly three decades at JPS have also involved navigating hurricanes, electricity outages, public protests and difficult customer relations, often requiring her to balance the company’s interests with the expectations of the people it serves.

“Balancing the interests of the company with the expectations of customers has not always been easy. But it has been both my responsibility and my privilege,” Callum said. “Through it all, I have held firmly to one belief: even in the most difficult moments, we must never lose sight of the people we serve.”

The Woman in Energy Award forms part of Canada’s commitment to advancing gender equality and inclusion, recognising women who have made significant contributions to clean energy and sustainable development. This year’s recognition included professionals from Jamaica, The Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.

goodheart@gleanerjm.com