Jamaica Gleaner

Erica Anderson on mothering and NFTs

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ERICA ANDERSON says she was raised on the foundation of respecting others and cherishing all she had. Having built an expansive career for 18 years, she currently stands as the chief operations officer for Lynk, a member of the NCB Group of Companies, and is also the doting stepmother to 18-year-old Xander, who came into her life when he was eight years old.

Anderson defines motherhood as a great responsibi­lity, as it involves grooming and preparing a young one for the transition into the greater part of their life - adulthood.

CHALLENGIN­G

For her, it was challengin­g at first to get to know Xander as she helped him adjust and transition into a new family structure. The journey has been rewarding and has allowed her to learn a lot about herself as she has embraced the job of helping to nurture him into being the talented young man he is today.

Woven i nto her life as a stepmother is the love she has for her profession. Working in intricate positions that include, but are not limited to, finance, human resources, strategy, and project management, she has in recent years extended her time and service to government boards through directorsh­ip positions, and has held roles on several committees. With all this in mind comes the need for there to be a balance between parenting and profession. She compares and defines motherhood as any job, one which has its ups and downs. But she has understood the importance of and has maintained the balance required for her to meet the demands at work, as well as those at home. She understand­s the necessity of working but also makes time to attend to her family’s needs and provide support.

“Motherhood, like work, is a journey. There is something new to learn every day and, inevitably, what you put into raising a child and into your career is usually what you get back,” she says. Being a stepmother has helped Anderson to understand the importance of exercising restraint and resilience, as well as being creative and patient.

In addition to her passion and love for parenting, Anderson is an advocate for change, innovation, and being at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictio­ns that accompanie­d it, she realised that, going forward, the only way to conduct business was through a digital environmen­t. “The world is evolving towards Fintech, digital and digital currencies are the future of business and present new opportunit­ies in employment and commerce,” says Anderson.

It is with this innovative spirit that Anderson has developed and sold her non-fungible token (NFT ). It was designed as an Abstract Focus that connects to a community of others that appreciate the beauty of the eye and serves as a spark of inspiratio­n, imaginatio­n, and creativity. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Abstract Focus NFT collection will go toward children’s education, starting with supporting underprivi­leged, aspiring young artists and children in Jamaica who struggle with education, as they do not have access to computers or Internet connection­s.

Anderson is a woman that follows her dreams and hopes that Xander will be empowered to do the same and not be constraine­d by what people think or what society dictates. “I want him to forge his path and make his meaningful mark on the world,” she says. “It is through curiosity we learn new things and discover new ways of expressing ideas.”

 ?? ?? Erica Anderson is a woman that follows her dreams, and hopes that her stepson Xander will be empowered to do the same and not be constraine­d by what people think or what society dictates.
Erica Anderson is a woman that follows her dreams, and hopes that her stepson Xander will be empowered to do the same and not be constraine­d by what people think or what society dictates.
 ?? ?? Erica Anderson, chief operations officer for Lynk, a member of the NCB Group of Companies.
Erica Anderson, chief operations officer for Lynk, a member of the NCB Group of Companies.
 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTOS ?? The doting mother Erica Anderson and her stepson Xander at his graduation.
CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTOS The doting mother Erica Anderson and her stepson Xander at his graduation.
 ?? ?? Erica Anderson and her stepson Xander Grant on her wedding day.
Erica Anderson and her stepson Xander Grant on her wedding day.

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