She is first runner-up in regional awards

After more than four decades of quietly transforming lives through healthcare, education and community service, Brenda Scarlett-Miller has been named Jamaica’s 2026 CIBC Caribbean Unsung Hero and selected to represent the country at the regional CIBC Caribbean Unsung Heroes Awards in Barbados.

Over the weekend, Miller, an 82-year-old retired nursing educator and administrator, was named first runner-up at the regional awards ceremony in Barbados, where she received her prize of USD$7 000.00 from Mark St. Hill, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the CIBC Caribbean ComTrust Foundation, which runs the programme.

Veteran foster caregiver, Ann Haven of the Cayman Islands, was named the Regional Unsung Hero, and Catherine Edmund of St. Lucia was second runner-up.

Miller was recognised alongside Ivaline Nickie, founder and director of the Annie Dawson Home for Children, who was named Jamaica’s runner-up. The two women were honoured for their sustained commitment to serving vulnerable Jamaicans, demonstrating that leadership can be expressed through compassion, consistency and action.

“The CIBC Caribbean Unsung Heroes Programme has provided an opportunity to shine a light on people whose service often happens away from the public spotlight. They are people who do not serve because they expect recognition. They serve because they see a need and they choose to respond. That spirit of service is something worth celebrating,” said Annique Dawkins, Head of Country, CIBC Caribbean Jamaica.

Miller’s own story reflects that spirit. Although she retired from nursing education and administration in 2009, she has continued to serve through the Lions Club of St Andrew Central and her church community. Twice each month, she volunteers at Bethel Baptist Church, where she provides free vision screening, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, BMI checks, health education and counselling, often using her own resources. She also trains fellow Lions in health and vision screening and supports initiatives benefiting cancer patients, children, persons with mental health challenges and young nurses.

“I retired in 2009, but sometimes I wonder if I have retired,” Miller said, reflecting on her continued commitment to service.

Her recognition came as a surprise. “I just started crying because I just could not believe it,” she said of learning that she had been shortlisted.

Nickie, meanwhile, has dedicated more than 13 years to the care and development of children at the Annie Dawson Home for Children. As founder and director, she remains closely involved in their education, welfare and medical needs, often using her own resources to fill gaps where State support is limited. She has also advocated for a safer environment for the children and worked to secure their relocation.

“I think CIBC Caribbean is doing a wonderful job to have a programme like this to recognise people who are not looking for recognition,” Nickie said.

She added: “God expects this from us and those we do it for are counting on us to do it… But it will encourage others who probably didn’t even think about it to say, ‘Hey, I can get involved, I can do things and give back to my community.’”

First launched in 2003 and running for ten years before being put on hiatus, the CIBC Caribbean Unsung Heroes Programme was relaunched last year again aimed at showcasing people whose service often happens away from the public spotlight, celebrating individuals whose quiet acts of generosity, compassion and commitment create meaningful change in the lives of others.

The regional awards include US$10,000 for the regional winner, US$7,000 for the first runner-up and US$5,000 for the second runner-up.

At the national level, Miller receives the equivalent of US$5,000, while Nickie receives US$2,500 as Jamaica’s runner-up.

For CIBC Caribbean, the programme is about more than recognition. It is an opportunity to celebrate the people who continue to give their time, skills and resources to others, while encouraging a culture of service that can inspire the next generation.