Meet our founder

Mr. Gary Robinson

After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BA degree and High Honors in Finance in 1972, Gary Robinson took over his father's produce brokerage business, Ruby Robinson Co, Inc., at the young age of 23. Despite facing various challenges, Gary managed to grow the business into a nationwide enterprise.

In 1991, Gary retired and spent his time trading his retirement portfolio and investing in other businesses and real estate. However, in 2011, while celebrating his 60th birthday, Gary found his true calling. Instead of accepting personal gifts, he asked his friends to help him build a climate-controlled computer lab at the Little Bay All Age and Infant School in Westmoreland Parish, in partnership with the Rockhouse Foundation. This project was completed in just a few short months and inspired Gary to create our nonprofit organization, Cornerstone Jamaica.

In collaboration with social media influencer Alexandra Ostrow Beach, Gary's first project with Cornerstone Jamaica was to supply high-quality garments to the Negril community, primarily children. However, they soon realized the need for more sustainable solutions and shifted their focus to empowerment rather than handouts. In July 2013, at the NAJASO Conference in Montego Bay, Gary met accomplished business executives Cassandra Chase, Ryan Davy, Rawl Banton, and Sheldon Dyer, who agreed to join forces with him to create a new platform. Winthrope Wellington, Managing Director of the Traveller's Beach Resort, was also part of the mix.

With a passion for creating systematic and sustainable impact-oriented programs and initiatives, for over 11 years, Gary lead his team at Cornerstone Jamaica to empower communities in Jamaica and raise awareness of how others can help. Today, we carry on Gary’s passion and love for Jamaica as we continue to create positive change in the West.