Athinia Campbell - photo by peta-gaye clachar

Athinia Campbell is not a cliché. She really enjoys her job, co-exists with a supportive family unit and is happy simply overcoming whatever professional challenges are thrown her way.

"I've never aspired to be a chief executive officer. I've just aspired to do well at whatever I do and whatever opportunities come by, I'll capitalise on them," said Campbell, who is the newly appointed general manager of Paymaster Jamaica Limited.

She moved up to the post from branch network and operations manager in September.

Having been in various capacities in the island's first bill-payment company for the last eight years, she is prepared for her new post. She began in project management, moved on to accounts, then operations and back to project management.

"At different times in the company's life I've been in various departments, so that gives me a good hands-on experience in terms of the various issues," she said.

Campbell is ready to implement her short-term plans in her new post. She hopes "to maximise internal efficiencies so that we can get tighter, leaner, more efficient and to position us to take access of the emerging opportunities to provide additional products and services to the market, without having to balloon".

In the long term, the company hopes to expand its products and services.

"Suffice to say we are positioning ourselves not to just be a bill payment agency, but a multi-transactional agency," Campbell said.

Striking a balance

But that's just one facet of Campbell's life. As a mother, wife and Christian, she works at striking a balance.

"I've always been very clear that whatever opportunities I access, I want it to accommodate a balanced life, so I can still accommodate my family and my church. So I'm not that overcareer focused at all cost, " she said.

Campbell, 40, has been married for 14 years and has a four-year-old daughter. She is also actively involved with her church, the Church of the Transfiguration.

She said spending time with her family and friends is an essential part of her life.

"We just love to have fun," she said. With a group of close friends, they often have cookouts, beach trips and sleepovers, often involving their children.

She also enjoys cooking with her husband and attending music-related events.

Looking forward to the challenges, she's confident she'll be successful.

"I have a supportive husband, and that's not cliché," she said.