Aug. 27, 2026

#54 - Jennifer Erie

Show Notes

"When you learn, teach. When you get, give." - Maya Angelou

Growing up in a Haitian-American family in Queens, NY, Jennifer Erie hoped the Peace Corps might send her to West Africa to learn more about her ancestors' origins. Instead, she ended up in South Africa, the first of many places — along with her time at USAID — where she found countless new people to champion, collaborate with, and befriend. Far from her original expat community, she became a part of countless others. Flash forward and "the world is in her bones."

Jennifer Erie is a seasoned international development leader, diplomat, published author and storyteller, and creative entrepreneur whose global career spans more than two decades and reflects an unwavering commitment to equity, dignity, and cross- cultural understanding. These core values have guided her work across Africa, Asia, and
the United States. Born and raised in New York, Jennifer most recently built a distinguished 15-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where she held senior leadership roles overseeing major global health, humanitarian, and community development initiatives. Her assignments took her to South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, the Philippines, and South Africa, where she consistently amplified marginalized voices, especially of the youth, and championed inclusive, trauma-informed, community-driven approaches. Prior to
USAID, she worked with international non-governmental organizations Africare and JSI, and was a Peace Corps volunteer. Jennifer recently published her memoir, The World In My Bones: The Diplomat Queens Made, and is conducting book talks and speaking engagements. She is a Board Member with the Museum of the Peace Corps
Experience and a Core Member of Friends of South Africa. Currently residing in Maryland, Jennifer holds a Master’s degree from American University and a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. More information is available HERE.