ITS TOVA!
TPDConnect is pleased to share with you an exclusive interview with our new Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Tova Hamilton.
Where did you grow up?
I hail from the sugarcane parish of Trelawny and grew up in the communities of Martha Brae and Hague until I was shipped off to boarding school in Stewart Town to further my personal development.
Paint a Christmas scene from your childhood
It’ s Christmas Eve and the clock in the living room of my freshly spring cleaned house is just about to strike midnight; Instead of being in bed like most other 9 year olds, I am up waiting, not only to spy when exactly these yearly gifts would mysteriously make their way under the well decorated pepper string light tree, but to also be front and centre when my mom decides to carefully rub together the Christmas cake ingredients, so the minute she fills the last baking tin, I can partake in the most delectable rum filled batter of a meal that I was told year on year would‘ bind’ me. With my adventurous spirit, I delve into the batter. I am doing quite well, actually because I am convinced my mom does not have to even wash this mixing bowl when I am done with it. The bowl is now clean, and slowly clarity returns to my thoughts. Why would my mom caution me every year about this cake batter habit yet refuse to prohibit my indulgence? Anyway, what was I supposed to be thinking about again? Wait..... where am I? What is happening? Why are my eyes getting dark?
If I could Grant you one wish, what would you wish for? I would wish for a 2 bedroom apartment on“ The World”, the largest privately owned residential yacht.
Where would we most likely find you on Christmas eve? Overseas, somewhere
Complete the sentence.“ Man shall not live by bread alone” But by Escargot cooked in Coriander and Thai Basil butter.
What have you done that you are most proud of?
While at the Attorney General’ s Chambers, I was tasked with the responsibility of initiating a claim in Maritime Law, which was the first of its kind in Jamaica. No jurisprudence existed in that field of law locally prior to that case. The matter involved a ship, sailing around Rackham’ s Cay and destroying the coral reef. I obtained judgment in favor of the Government of Jamaica and damages assessed in the region of US $ 300,000.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
If I could be any animal, I would be an eagle. Eagles fly alone at high altitudes and not with other small birds. Eagles fly only with other Eagles. They have the ability to remain focused. They use storm winds to rise to greater heights and the Eagle tests before it trusts.
The last book you read.
I am an avid Audible listener and so I tend to listen to more than one book at a time. My last two books were“ The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli and“ I Cant Make This Up: Life Lessons” By Neil Strauss, contributor, Kevin Hart.
Which four individuals, living or dead, would you like to eat dinner with the most?
Fidel Castro, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Adidja Azim“ Vybz Kartel” Palmer, Niccolo Machiavelli
Who would you swap places with for a day? Why that person?
If I had the opportunity to swap places with someone for a day, I would choose the Prime Minister Andrew Michael Holness. I would most like to gain insight into how he manages competing priorities in government; how he maneuvers the challenges he faces on a daily basis; and to be influenced by his effective decision making skills.