About Ukeme Awakessien Jeter

UKEME AWAKESSIEN JETER is a trailblazing executive and thought leader who has made significant contributions to the fields of immigration and business leadership. With over two decades of experience within Fortune 500 companies, national law firms, universities, local governments, and specialized agencies of the United Nations, Ukeme is an accomplished leadership-development consultant. With a mission to help organizations harness the untapped potential of global talent, Ukeme uses her deep understanding of diverse cultures gained from living and working in eight cities across four countries to provide invaluable insights and strategies that help companies cultivate diverse leadership teams.

Ukeme’s expertise is backed by an impressive educational background, which includes a JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine. She has been featured in various media outlets, including NBC4 Columbus, Columbus CEO, Spectrum News, and Upper Arlington Living Magazine. In 2021, Ukeme made history by becoming the first person of color elected to the Upper Arlington City Council in its 103-year history. In January of 2024, she proudly became the first person of color to be selected by her peers on the council to serve as council president and mayor of the city for a two-year term.

Born in Nigeria, Ukeme now calls Upper Arlington, Ohio, home, where she resides with her two children. When she’s not advocating for inclusion or advising businesses on how to leverage immigrant talent, Ukeme enjoys staying active and spending quality time with her family.