Jennifer Okaima Piette [née Ehidiamen]

One foot in front of the other is the set order for this lifelong learner

Jennifer Okaima Piette née Ehidiamen is a tech‑savvy journalist‑turned‑communications professional keen about using the new media as a tool to disseminate information, foster collaboration, and influence positive development outcomes. She has more than a decade of experience shaping narratives across energy, education, climate change, entrepreneurship, women empowerment, digitization, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and other sectors. Her life’s passion is rooted in the intersection between human‑centered communications and global development. She is also a committed wife to a loving man and a devoted mother of two beautiful children.

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A snapshot of "what keeps her up at night"

Jennifer is a published author, award-winning journalist, and communications professional passionate about improving how information is shared and stories are told in the global development sector. She enjoys identifying clients’ needs and designing roadmaps and narratives for implementing strategic communications, messaging campaigns, and goal-oriented advocacy.

Her experience includes managing communications and external affairs engagement strategy for different global organizations, including the Sustainable Mobility for All, a global coalition of more than 50 public and private sector organizations – multilateral development banks, civil society associations, corporations, and United Nations agencies – serving as a premier advocacy platform for international cooperation on sustainable transport and mobility. Jennifer also served on the Leadership Circle of the WBG Women’s Network, facilitating collaboration with various Employee Resource Groups and initiating activities to promote career advancement and inclusive workplace culture for staff.  

Previously, Jennifer worked as a journalist. She covered development stories in Nigeria, Ethiopia, France, and the United States. She also worked as a consultant for UNAIDS, developing and implementing an online and offline engagement strategy alongside the youth program staff in Geneva, Switzerland. The project was instrumental in engaging more than 5,000 young people worldwide to successfully crowdsource the first-ever strategy document to redefine how the UN works with young people. Jennifer also has experience in corporate communications. She worked as an associate consultant at Africa Practice, a global strategic advisory firm operating at the nexus of industry and government. 

In 2009, as an early adopter of social media for development communication,  Jennifer served as the Communications and School Partnership Director for One World Youth Project, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. In that role, she worked with the OWYP team and partners across 26 countries to launch an active media liaison (be your own journalist) and social media strategy to tell stories and boost project impact and donor visibility. She also served as the pioneer online editor for Ventures Africa, where she developed and implemented a robust online editorial strategy for the media company.

What gets her out of bed in the morning…
 

Jennifer enjoys exploring new places with her children and husband, cooking, volunteering for social causes, and photography. She is the author of three books – In Days to Come (2004), Preserve My Saltiness (2011), and Half a Loaf and a Bakery (2014). In addition, Jennifer is an active member of Toastmasters International (U.S. Senate Club and Word Bankers), where she learns about and practices public speaking, active listening, and feedback and evaluation skills in a mutually supportive and positive learning environment. Since joining Toastmasters in 2016, Jennifer has served as Secretary, Vice President of Education, President, and Vice President of Membership. She collaborated with other club officers to help the U.S Senate Club achieve the President’s Distinguished status in the 2023-2024 program year and supported Word Bankers Club in earning the Smedley Distinguished status in the 2025-2026 program year. Jennifer volunteers as one of Toastmasters District 220 Area Directors, supporting the club leaders of four clubs (with 70+ members). Her focus is on helping each club build welcoming, energetic, and supportive environments where members feel motivated to advance in their Pathways education, grow as communicators and leaders, and translate their Toastmasters journey into real, meaningful impact in their personal and professional lives.

In 2018, UNICEF recruited her to develop and implement a communications and advocacy strategy for a national advocacy campaign in Nigeria. The campaign, “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet,” influenced the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to sign an executive order to prioritize Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Nigeria (the new administration sustained the commitment for continuity). In 2013, with a grant from the Gates Foundation through the International Reporting Project New Media Fellowship, Jennifer spent a year reporting on global health issues in rural communities. The many underreported issues she discovered during this fellowship, combined with some mainstream media editors’ reluctance to publish these stories due to their perceived lack of commercial value, inspired her to launch the Rural Reporters News Network, an online news and repository platform focused on amplifying rural issues as an integral part of the global development discourse. She led a team of reporters and writers across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and Zimbabwe to generate content from their communities for the platform. The RuralReporters News Network is a model for how today’s media can incorporate rural issues into everyday coverage.

Jennifer holds a Master of Arts degree in Business and Economics (with a focus on journalism) from Columbia University and graduated magna cum laude from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism with a degree in Mass Communication. She has received numerous awards, including the World Bank Group Vice Presidency (VPU) Award, the Foreign Press Association Award, the Innovative Young Journalist Award, and the Nigerian National Youth Leadership Award.   

The Science and Art of Public Speaking...

I joined Toastmasters in 2016 to improve my public speaking skills and have since served in multiple leadership roles, driving club excellence and member achievement across Washington, D.C. I've led and collaborated with teams to earn Toastmasters International President’s Distinguished and Smedley Distinguished status (the highest performance tier). Now, volunteering as one of the Area Directors for District 220, I oversee four clubs (with 70+ members), conducting twice‑yearly evaluations, identifying improvement opportunities, and strengthening outcomes through strategic guidance and relationship‑building—all in alignment with Toastmasters International’s mission.
2014 Social Media Week Lagos...Al Jazeera Presents: Global Health, Technology & Social Media moderated by Al Jazeera’s Femi Oke.
In this picture with Miss Chika Oduah (middle) and Miss Femi Oke (right). As a child, I used to watch Miss Oke on BBC and think, "I want to be a journalist just like her!" So you can only imagine how excited I was to sit on a panel she moderated during the 2014 Social Media Week Lagos (February 17-21) titled, "Al Jazeera Presents: Global Health, Technology & Social Media".
2016 FOREIGN PRESS ​SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
The 2016 Foreign Press Scholarship Award: Joint 3rd Place Award $2,500 right before graduating from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. I had the pleasure of attending the event with my mom.

Thank you Prof. John and Rosi Kline!

There are moments in life when you cross paths with individuals who profoundly alter your journey for good, steering you in directions you never anticipated. I feel an immense sense of gratitude toward Prof. John, Rosi (his wife), and their family, for believing in me and taking a chance on my potential. Their willingness to invest in my future has made an incredible difference, and for that, I am truly thankful. The big dream is to pay it forward!
I first met Prof. John and his wife, Rosi, in 2009 during the One World Youth Project (OWYP) event held at Georgetown University. This initiative, created by Jess Rimington, aimed to connect young people from diverse backgrounds who were passionate about driving positive change in their communities and embracing the responsibilities of empathetic global citizenship. That initial encounter with Prof. John and Rosi became a memorable one in a journey dedicated to making a meaningful impact alongside others who share a vision for a better world.
I had only about $1,000 in my account when I got the good news that I’d been offered admission into the prestigious Columbia University in the city of New York in 2015. The money was already accounted for — it was going to be the payment for an apartment closer to work so that I would not have to leave home at 5:00 AM for a job that starts at 9:00 AM (the story of many Lagosians). The week I was to pay was the same week the grad school letter dropped in my inbox. In fact, the only delay was because the renter wanted a few more days to think about the decision before releasing her keys. I am so grateful for that delay because if I had parted with that rent, even affording the initial fees to pay for my admission placement in CU would have been impossible. Next was the balance of the school fees. Where on earth would I get $60,000 from? Oh, a loan! I asked locally — Nigerian Bank and all — is there a place I can loan some money to pay for grad school? There were options abroad. The university sent a long list of individuals and financial institutions. The interest rate would have broken me financially. But the deadline for payment was around the corner. I remember turning back to God, the God of the sudden. Psalm 121 became my watchword. So when the Kline’s message came through — offering to be my financial sponsor without me asking — it was a miracle. The personal loan they offered and the repayment plan they created saved me that season, and their enduring kindness remained consistent throughout my study.
The #1 way to honor Prof. John Kline (and his family) is to emulate his principles: work hard, be ethical, stay humble, be kind to others without expecting anything in return, push boundaries, and travel. 
Celebrating with my mom (Mrs. Margaret Ehidiamen), Prof. John & Rosita, Juliana + her friend (you won't believe Juliana and I met on Yahoo Messenger in 2000s and she just happened to be in NYC!), during my 2016 Columbia University Graduation ceremony.

The best is yet to come, by God’s grace!

The 2011 World Press Freedom Day. I got to speak on "Digital Natives: The New Media Generation" by drawing examples from how the new media was turning news consumers into news producers In Nigeria.
In 2017, I was selected to participate in the Poynter Leadership Academy for Women in Digital Media. My cohort had the most amazing and resilient women leaders in the industry.
At the 2018 Adaptation Conference in South Africa. I love that the organizers provided childcare services on site to encourage working moms to participate.
Got to work with the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu, during the UNICEF WASH campaign to end open defecation in Nigeria. His passion for people and excellence did shine throughout my interaction with him and his office (2018-2020)
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is one of the most inspiring women that keeps setting a very high standard for every woman.
Mr. Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations, had a very kind demeanor at this event. It was an honor to provide photography coverage (2016).
I love how we can harness the power of photography to tell stories.
So many stories to tell from Rural Communities! Stories of bravery, innovation, wealth, resilience and hope.
Communicating Africa: Transcending Borders With Digital Media (2009). *L-R: Moderator - Jacqueline Sibanda , Discussants - Howard French, Rohit Bhargava, JP Singh and Jennifer Ehidiamen (Piette)
This was a profound experience - getting to work (as a blog editor and online curator) with a passionate team committed to influencing positive change. The UNAIDS/CrowdOutAIDS team worked in collaboration with 5,000 young people to change the way the UN work with young people - for the better. Here, we presented the crowdsourcing process and initial results at UNAIDS Board meeting (December 2011).
World Press Freedom Day 2011, DC- Youth Leaders Discuss the Digital Generation and Social Change. Panel for Breakout Session 1.5 "Digital Natives: The New Media Generation." On Screen: Adnan Hajizada, Emin Milli; L to R, Maria Sadovskaya, Jason Rzepka, Shiv Bhaskar Dravid and Jennifer Ehidiamen (Piette). Photo by: Allison Brennan
POETRY IN MOTION!
Trying something new: In 2015, at the age of 30 (almost 31), I transitioned from journalism into corporate communications/Public Relations. I brought my passion for storytelling, love for people, and creative thinking with me 🙂 But yeah, it was a tough career move! I am gateful for the open doors and the faith my employer had in me. Keep sharpening your skills, audit your transferrable skills, volunteer and love life.
Forty and two…
 

Life begins at 40,

but the world stays not the same

after you clock 40.

Did you change or did the world’s façades fade?

You sigh as you sign to the fact

that the 40s is extremely humbling.

You no longer see people—

You see stories and experiences.

No pimples, just ripples.

You hear what is not being said.

You become more discerning

in that ability to read the room.

You leave to the left the hope

that the villain will turn a new leaf.

You don’t become perfect— you just observe the world through a new lens.

When your life begins at 40,

the weight is more human,

less coded,

and very humbling.

 

(C) Jennifer Okaima Piette (née Ehidiamen)

Books, Networking, and Beyond...

"I am convinced that there is hope for Nigeria, especially when I am privileged to meet not just innovative and passionate young people but ones that are determined to blaze the trail. They are of such mettle that they are not deterred by the limiting socio-economic and political conditions of their country, but who against all odds, strive daily to carve their niche and impact their community." - Obiageli Oby Ezekwesili. Culled from her foreword for Half A Loaf & A Bakery by Jennifer Ehidiamen (Piette) and 'Funso Bukoye (2014)
Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS (2009-2019), was instrumental in the success of the CrowdOutAIDS (2011-2014). I had the honor of meeting him at a conference in Abuja long after we completed the project. His effortless recollection of me working with the UNAIDS Geneva team on the project was a moment I will always cherish. His non-dismissive leadership style is truly inspiring.
"In Preserve My Saltiness Jennifer addresses life's everyday experiences to our world's trends and shared challenges of the 21st century. Every poem embodies piercing insight and breathless passion. This is the work of a career poet." Jess Rimington, Spoken Word artist & Executive Director of One World Youth Project, USA
On reclaiming the power to make change happen -- "It is a myth that we cannot change the system that perpetuates violence and violent narratives." — Gov. Wes Moore, the 63rd Governor of Maryland and the first Black Governor (2023).
British Council's Our education, Our future, Our voice! Dinner at 11 Downing Street. I am grateful to God for everyone who created opportunities for youth engagement/participation and found me worthy to be counted (2004-2014) as a changemaker. My lifelong goal is to keep giving back (paying it forward) and making a positive impact.
"Jennifer is a remarkable young lady. Living in a country that she truly loves, yet recognizing the many problems as well. From her young mind she reaches out through her poetry hoping that her messages will reach out to educate, but even more so, to offer hope. Jennifer does not write in rhyming verse or strict form, preferring the freedom to express her innermost thoughts without restriction. Yet poetry it undoubtedly is. Many have struggled to define poetry, in the same way that many struggle to define art. Poetry paints with words and expressions and as such can be both art and craft. I believe that if Jennifer’s words move you, then she has expressed both her art and her craft. Finally, we have tried to avoid making changes to her writing, except perhaps for a few proof reading corrections. We hope by this you will capture not only the words, but (also) the essence of Jennifer’s culture that shines through her poetry." Philip G. Bell Editor, Young Poet Society
A group of us journalists covering the 2010 Rolex Awards programme for Young Laureates.
Graduating from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ)
Graduating from Columbia University New York (Graduate School of Journalism)

#WordsToLiveBy

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13