Caron Chung

Caron Chung was born in Jamaica and spent her early childhood there before moving to Northern California with her family and eventually going on to college to study marketing at New York University in bustling Manhattan. Caron was drawn to philanthropy as early as age 13 when she taught at an adult church-affiliated learning center (JAMAL) on weekends.  Since 2010, she has been able to fulfill a personal mission to help improve the lives of Jamaicans and raise the country’s economic profile through the dedicated non-profit American Friends of Jamaica, Inc. (AFJ). Putting her professional marketing skills and extensive networking and relationship-building talents to work on behalf of a cause she holds dear, she has been a major influence in engaging corporate and political leaders, high net-worth interests, and charitable organizations to advance the good works of the AFJ. She is proud to be the Executive Director of this resource which has raised and distributed nearly US $20 million in Jamaica to benefit education, healthcare, and economic development. Caron began her career with a sound business foundation, working first in Human Resources and then as a Marketing Manager for The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation in New York City. She honed her brand-building skills over 7 years with D&B when she relocated to Jamaica to take a retail marketing role with Couples Resort Group.

Caron then spent another 7 years in the hospitality industry, promoting Jamaica’s tourism product, creating concepts to elevate awareness with travelers to the island, and directing retail operations for this growing resort collection. As an influencer and active contributor in the Diaspora Community, she finds the work important and fulfilling, a true labor of love in which she devotes her energy and strategic skills wholeheartedly to help build the nation, facilitate business opportunities, and benefit schools, hospitals and clinics, community resources, and worthy charitable projects.  In 2016, Caron was honored with the United States Congressional Award for Distinguished Leadership and contributions impacting the lives of Jamaicans.  The Society of Foreign Consuls in New York presented her with the Outstanding Achievements and Contribution to Community Empowerment Award in 2019.