Ukeme Awakessien Jeter

Ukeme Awakessien Jeter currently serves as Mayor & Council President of the City of Upper Arlington, Ohio, and is the first person of color to hold this role in the city's 107-year history.

After living in 8 cities across 4 countries, in 2018 Ukeme chose Upper Arlington as the community to raise her children. Her commitment to the community led to service on the City’s Financial Review Taskforce and its inaugural Community Relations Committee, paving the way for her history-making election to City Council in 2021 and appointment as Mayor & Council President in 2024.

Professionally, Ukeme has over two decades of experience working within Fortune 500 companies, national law firms, universities, local governments, and specialized agencies of the United Nations. Born in Nigeria, she earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine, an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and a Juris Doctor (JD) from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. A recognized trailblazer, Ukeme has been named by Columbus CEO magazine as a Future 50 leader.

A thought-leader and sought-after speaker on topics of leadership, immigrant talent and globalization, Awakessien Jeter is the award-winning author of IMMIGRIT: How Immigrant Leadership Drives Business Success. Her writings have appeared in Forbes, Fast Company and HR Brew

An advocate for causes of access and opportunity, Ukeme serves as secretary on the board of Ohio Legal Help, an organization on a mission to use technology to reduce the justice gap by helping all Ohio residents gain access to the civil justice system. She is also a member of the Community Shelter Board, an organization leading a coordinated community effort to ensure everyone has a place to call home.

Beyond her professional endeavors and service to others, Ukeme is an active mother to two children and a dog. Her leadership philosophy is: Be the change you wish to see.