Jasmine Ljungberg recently joined Princeton in Africa as our Director of Development, bringing a deep commitment to global equity and strengthening organizations that serve vulnerable communities.
Growing up in Sweden as the daughter of a political refugee and the sister of a brother with autism, Jasmine developed an early awareness of human rights and the importance of supporting marginalized populations.
She began her career in the nonprofit sector, where she has worn many hats and developed a strong passion for fundraising as a tool to help organizations build impactful programs and partnerships.
At Princeton in Africa, Jasmine is excited to implement new development strategies and support PiAf’s unique, sustainable capacity-building model that connects global talent with African organizations and communities.
Deepening Partnerships Across Africa
This February and March, Princeton in Africa’s Executive Director, Sheila Agiti, and Deputy Director, Stephanie Leroy, traveled across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Angola, connecting with current host organizations, exploring new partnerships, and most importantly, experiencing firsthand the environments where Fellows live and work.
These visits reaffirmed how intentional engagement continues to strengthen our partnerships. Being on the ground allowed Sheila and Stephanie to meet supervisors, program staff, and partner organizations, gaining a fuller picture of each organization’s culture, leadership, and day-to-day realities. The visits also offered a deeper understanding of the professional and cultural contexts Fellows navigate daily. These insights are critical to ensuring that every fellowship placement is both meaningful and well supported.
Reflecting on the trip, Sheila shared that one of the most energizing moments was connecting with Fellows and alumni across the region. Seeing members of the PiAf community gather, both informally and in organized groups, was a powerful reminder of the PiAf network’s strength. Fostering more of these organic connections remains a key priority as we continue to grow our community.
PiAf Community Comes Together in Nairobi
On February 19, Princeton in Africa’s Deputy Director, Stephanie Leroy, hosted a PiAf community meetup in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together 20 members of the PiAf network, including 4 current Fellows and 16 alumni, for an energizing evening.
The gathering took place at Pickled Café and Bar, a local spot co-owned by Princeton in Africa alumna Grace Perkins (2014-15 Fellow at the Global Shea Alliance, Ghana). The setting made the event especially meaningful, as Grace now serves as an alumni mentor to Ben Oestericher, a 2025-26 Fellow at the International Rescue Committee in Nairobi. The evening reflected the enduring connections within the PiAf community and the many ways alumni continue to support and engage with Fellows long after their fellowship year.
Events like the Nairobi meetup serve as a reminder that the PiAf network extends far beyond the fellowship year. It is a community of individuals committed to collaboration, mentorship, and supporting one another as they continue working toward positive change across the continent.
Building Community, One Question at a Time
We are excited to keep our monthly trivia series going as a fun way to stay connected with the PiAf community. Each month, we will feature a question that spotlights Princeton in Africa, our Fellows, alumni, partners, and the broader African continent. Put your knowledge to the test and join the conversation!
The answer to last month’s trivia question: 131 Host Organizations have hosted Princeton in Africa Fellows.
Follow along on our social media accounts, and read next month's newsletter for the answer.
