Nobody has been more instrumental to jhr’s growth and development over the last four years than Nikki Whaites.
Nikki, playing in the jungle of the Congo
A few years into jhr, we got lucky with a couple of grants and finally had enough money to hire someone full-time. Nikki was the only candidate I gave a second thought to. It was clear from the moment she walked into jhr’s office that she was the perfect fit–passionate about media development, ambitious, intelligent and tackled adventure head on.
She took what jhr was–a young and disorganized organization–and turned it into a professional NGO. She took our programming from its base in Ghana and expanded it into some of the most difficult environments on earth, including the Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
She hired, fired and fought with the best of them to make sure that jhr’s programs were affecting as many people’s lives for the better. She got the job done.
Like the time when I sent her to the Congo alone. We had just received funding from the US government (thanks to a grant proposal largely written by Nikki) to work there, but we had no base of operations. Nikki dove in head first and navigated the country solo, setting up partnerships, hiring staff and getting getting our project up and running–all in about three weeks.
Last week Nikki told me she’s leaving jhr, heading off to a new adventure. She’ll be taking a top job at Leprosy Mission Canada, which will take her to new parts of the world and give her new challenges. I just hope they realize what type of gold they have in their hands.
Nikki will be impossible to replace, but we have to move on. We’re hiring a new International Programs Director as we speak (details here). Whoever we find would do well to learn from her. If we can find someone that can take jhr, once again, to the next level, I’ll be a happy man.
Goodbye Nikki–I’ll miss you.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Nikki’s been a great colleague and friend - jhr definitely wouldn’t be the same without her. Good luck with your new challenges!
Aww Ben, that’s very nice of you, thank you. Is there a reason why getting tear gassed in Athens is left out of here?!
I’ve had a great time this past 4 years at jhr and have had the incredible opportunity to meet and work with some wonderful people, both in Canada and overseas. Sincerely, thank you to everyone.
It’s amazing how 4 years can go by in the blink of an eye.
Yes, Nikki, I do remember when you got me tear gassed in Athens and left me for dead!
For video of the tear gassing - including Ben RUNNING away from me email nikki@jhr.ca
That’s right, I have video.