Don Wehby, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Limited and a respected Jamaican business leader, has died. Wehby passed away last week following a period of illness.

His death ends a transformative force in private businesses in Jamaica. Wehby retired from GraceKennedy in February 2025 after over a decade as top leadership at the century-old conglomerate. During his tenure, the century-old conglomerate experienced unprecedented growth, with revenues more than doubling from JD$58 billion to JD$155 billion. His strategic focus on mergers and acquisitions redefined GraceKennedy’s regional and international presence, expanding its operations through the Caribbean, North and Central America, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

Wehby’s corporate journey began in 1995 when he joined GraceKennedy as a chartered accountant. Over the three decades he spent at GraceKennedy, he rose in several executive roles across the company’s food and financial divisions. In 2011, he was appointed Group CEO, and Wehby became synonymous with a modernized, globally focused GraceKennedy anchored in Jamaican values but looking to a broader scope.

Wehby brought his experience to the public sector when he began serving as a government senator and minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Service from 2007 to 2009. The late GraceKennedy Executive returned to the senate in 2016 and served until his resignation in 2024. He was widely respected for bridging the gap between business and government with integrity and policy acumen.

His contribution to national life was recognized with some of Jamaica’s highest honors. In 2017, he was conferred with the Order of Distinction (Commander Class), and in 2024, he received the Order of Jamaica — an honor reserved for exemplary national service. In April 2025, the Private Sector organization of Jamaica named him its 31st Hall of Fame Inductee, with the official ceremony scheduled for October 2025.

Wehby’s legacy also includes his steady leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, for which GraceKennedy received the RJRGleaner Honor Award for Business in 2021. The citation praised the company’s resilience, expansion, and principled governance amid global uncertainty.

Born July 14, 1963, Don Wehby was more than a corporate executive. He was a devoted husband to Hilary, a loving father to their three children, and a proud Jamaican who believed in building institutions that outlast individuals. His enduring impact on Jamaica’s business landscape and commitment to ethical leadership will be remembered for generations.