Meet Jen…


I am a Diplomat…

I joined the Department of State in 2011. I am a Public Diplomacy Coned Officer who served in Brazil, Belize, Cuba, Jordan and Tel Aviv. I currently work in Islamabad, Pakistan, managing the largest alumni portfolio in the world. I will join US Embassy Warsaw as the Cultural Attache in 2022, after a year of Polish language training. I speak Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew and Arabic.

jennifer santiago journalist


An Emmy-Award Winning Journalist…

I won two Emmys for my reporting on child trafficking in Cambodia, and a public affairs show I produced with ABC News correspondent Gio Benitez. I covered Barack Obama’s inauguration in Chicago, 9/11 from Ground Zero and more hurricanes than I can count.


A Lawyer…

I graduated Cum Laude from Villanova University School of Law and was published in the school’s Law Review Journal. I am a member of the Pennsylvania Bar.

jennifer santiago journalist


I am Writing a Memoir…

I just completed my 80,000 word memoir with the working title “American Grief,” and am seeking literary representation.
In this clip, from my interview on The Grief Coach Podcast, I share more about the manuscript and my writer’s journey. I also share short passages from my book on my Instagram feed


I Love Yoga…

I recently completed the first 100/200 hours of Teacher Training for Ashtanga Yoga at Kranti Yoga Shala in Goa, India. Here is a video of the very first class I ever taught. Looking forward to continuing my studies.


Travel…

I have traveled to more than 50 countries and have lived in the UK, France, Brazil, Belize, Cuba, Jordan and Israel.


And Dogs…

This is my roommate Rhi. She has more stamps in her passport than most people. She volunteers as a therapy dog for PAL, visiting veteran’s homes and listening to children read over Zoom. I also ran the NYC Marathon for Team Paws, raising money for the Midwest’s largest no-kill animal shelter.