Governor Sharon Williams Smith: The woman who sends the elevator back down

LONG before Sharon Williams Smith became governor of Kiwanis International’s Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District, she was a little girl growing up in Duhaney Park, learning early that difficult circumstances do not have to define the limits of a life. She grew up with her mother, sister, and two brothers, with three other brothers on her father’s side. Her mother worked as an office attendant, and there were times when money was scarce. Yet Williams Smith remembers her mother “always found a way” to provide for her children. There was plenty of childhood fun, too. Young Sharon loved playing dandy shandy and hide-and-seek after school. At George Headley Primary School, she admits she occasionally got into trouble, but her academic performance was strong. Rather than simply punish her, the principal kept her after school to help mark papers for other students — an early example of the young girl’s energy being redirected into responsibility. When she earned a place at St Andrew High School for Girls, her mother faced another financial challenge. With Denise, Sharon’s sister, already attending the school, some suggested that Sharon attend a less expensive institution. Her mother refused. She borrowed the money to pay the tuition, determined that her daughter should have the opportunity she had earned. Sharon made the opportunity count. She became a Student Council representative, joined Girl Guides and Key Club and, in sixth form, became a senior prefect. It was also at St Andrew High that she discovered the value of service — lessons in kindness, teamwork, and leadership that would eventually shape her life far beyond the classroom. Her first dream, however, was to become a medical doctor. That ambition changed when Williams Smith considered the financial reality of university. Rather than place an additional burden on her mother, she chose business subjects so she could enter the workforce after sixth form. Her sister Denise, then working at National Commercial Bank, helped her secure an interview for an entry-level customer service representative position. She got the job and excelled, eventually becoming Customer Service Representative of the Year before moving into roles as a teller, personal banker, manager of the private banking centre, manager of the New Kingston branch, and head of group client experience. Banking became a career, but people became her passion. “I really enjoyed interacting with customers and helping them to solve problems and attain their goals,” she said. Today, Williams Smith is a seasoned banking professional with extensive experience in sales leadership, customer experience, and people development. She is a director of the NCB Foundation, a pension trustee, and chair of the group’s Customer Advocacy Council. She holds degrees in banking and finance and human resource development and is a Maxwell Leadership certified speaker and trainer. But it was her early experience with Key Club that eventually led Williams Smith to Kiwanis. When she was later invited to join the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston, the decision was easy. More than two decades later, that “yes” has culminated in her becoming governor of the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District, responsible for 25 divisions, more than 290 clubs, and approximately 7,600 members. For Williams Smith, however, leadership has never been about collecting titles. Her philosophy is captured in a phrase she uses often: Treat people the way you want to be treated and send the elevator back down. As vice-governor, she established a mentorship programme connecting Kiwanians with Circle K International members and introduced Leadership Month to encourage members to share practical lessons about effective leadership and building engaged teams. The same instinct to reach back is evident in her continued service to St Andrew High, where she recently served as president of the Old Girls’ Association. She remains involved in mentoring students, participating in devotions, and supporting initiatives such as the Care-for-a-Sister Drive, which provides food and personal care packages to students in need. Her commitment to service is also deeply personal. With both her mother and grandmother having had breast cancer, Williams Smith chose to undergo a double mastectomy after doctors discovered microcalcification in her right breast. She did not yet have cancer, but was told that without intervention she was likely to develop it. Today, she uses her experience to encourage other women, drawing strength from her Christian faith and the belief that adversity does not have to have the final word. Her contribution to service has earned numerous honours, including Mel Osborne Award, Walter Zeller Fellow Award, Frank Melhado Award, Award of Excellence from Circle K Caribbean District, Godfrey Dyer Award from Key Club Jamaica District, Spirit of Service Award, Distinguished Kiwanis Advisor, Ruby K Award as well as the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Service. She is deeply involved in the Kiwanis movement, to which she has contributed her skills and leadership across various capacities for over 20 years. Her leadership roles within the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston and the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District have been instrumental in driving impactful projects and fostering community development. Yet Williams Smith describes herself in much simpler terms: caring, thoughtful, creative, responsive, a problem-solver, service-oriented, and results-oriented. Perhaps that is the clearest picture of the woman behind the governor’s pin. She is the little girl whose mother stretched limited resources to give her a chance. The young woman who sacrificed one dream to help her family. The banker who discovered that helping people was at the heart of her work. The Key Clubber who became a lifelong servant leader. And now, standing at one of the highest levels of the Kiwanis movement, Sharon Williams Smith remains committed to the principle that has guided her journey: When you rise, reach back.