Jamaica is reflecting on the life of one of its most influential architects of progress, following the death of Don Wehby — a man whose impact rippled far beyond boardrooms and Cabinet chambers.
Known for steering GraceKennedy into global prominence while grounding the company in nation-building, Wehby was more than a CEO. He was a strategist with soul — equally comfortable navigating high finance as he was championing youth sports, public service, and ethical leadership.
The business community, civic leaders, and athletes alike are united in their reverence. While many knew him as the Group CEO of GraceKennedy, those closest to him speak of a leader whose most powerful currency was trust. His tenure saw not only exponential growth of the company’s global footprint, but also a deepening of its commitment to social development — particularly through initiatives that empowered the next generation.
Don Wehby’s boardroom influence extended into the public arena. A former Minister and respected Senator, his contributions to national policy carried the same precision and moral clarity that marked his corporate decisions. He was, by all accounts, a technocrat who remained grounded in service.
Olympian Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, among the many who counted him as mentor, reflected on his passing with both gratitude and grief: “He was a standard-bearer. A leader who challenged you not to chase success, but to earn it — through discipline, integrity, and the pursuit of something greater than yourself.”
Wehby’s death leaves a void not easily filled. But his legacy — from the transformation of a Jamaican company into a multinational, to the quiet encouragement he gave to athletes, youth, and emerging professionals — is woven into the very fabric of the nation.
He wasn’t always the loudest voice in the room, but he was often the most listened to. Jamaica didn’t just lose a businessman. It lost a compass.
Condolences continue to pour in for his family, the GraceKennedy team, and all those touched by his remarkable journey.
