Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

Natalie Neita-Headley

She is no stranger to the microphone, both as a politician and singer, this lady is most comfortable onstage.

"Wherever there is good karaoke, you'll find me there. I love to sing," said Natalie Neita-Headley, the People's National Party (PNP) candidate for East Central St. Catherine.

Based on this enthusiasm, there is little irony in the fact that her love for music was one of her stepping stones into politics.

When her grandfather Sydney Douglas took her to her first political meeting and the song Young Gifted and Black, heralded the entrance of the candidate for the area, her fate was sealed.

"I knew I would be on that platform some day," Neita-Headley said was her reaction, hearing the song for the first time.

The 39-year-old is a human resource consultant for Omni Industries Limited with nine years experience in the field. With a bachelor's degree in social sciences with a minor in economics and a Master's degree in labour relations from the State University of New York, Neita-Headley has honed her people skills. A past student of St. Hilda's and St. Jago High schools, she received her basic education in Jamaica.

She resides in her childhood hometown, Brown's Hall, St. Catherine, where she met her husband of 11 years, businessman Alvin Headley, at primary school. Both are parents to two daughters, Morgan, 11 and Sydney, 17.

Balancing politics and family life results from effective time management and some help from her extended family.

She takes her daughters to school every morning in Spanish Town and they utilise the time to chat.

While she said she might have to relocate soon, as the commute is taxing, she will not be leaving the parish.

She visits churches of different denominations but she practises the Presbyterian faith.

She admits that being in politics can be demanding. "I have less time for relaxation," she said, but when the time is available, she attends football matches. "I don't feel that it is really a sacrifice."