Jennifer Yador (Ghana)

Master in Public Policy (2006)

Who I am:

I am a Ghanaian born in Harlem, New York and raised in Houston. I did my undergrad in California, so I have an affinity for the West Coast. Both of my parents are Ewe, from the southern Volta. I spent two and a half years before coming to KSG working in Ghana. The work, as all Africans know, was rewarding, challenging, and fulfilling. I worked to start the first Anglophone call center in West Africa. The firm that I worked for, Rising Data Solutions, recently received an award from Scientific American for being the "2004 Business Leader in Economic Development".

Why I chose Harvard KSG:

One of my career advisors told me that it had the resources and the academic rigor to help me achieve my professional goals. He gave me this advice even though he earned a Masters at a different institution.

My needs as an African:

Coming to KSG have forced me to leave my comfort zone. There are few (1-2) professors that focus on issues concerning Africa. KSG professors rarely mention the continent without focusing on AIDS/HIV and civil unrest. KSG is a wonderful program, but this is a glaring weakness.

To My Fellow Africans:

Yes, I would tell an African to attend school here. The African community here, and through out Harvard University, is very cohesive. Come with a clear career goals and a mission on how you will serve Africa in the future. Due to the wealth of opportunities at KSG, it is easy to be distracted. Always take the time to meet your classmates; they are your most valuable resource.