When Ukeme moved to Upper Arlington in the fall of 2018, she could not have foreseen how her daughter’s experiences as a new member of the community would inspire her deep involvement in the City she fondly refers to as the “Community of Choice” for her family.
In 2021, Ukeme made history, becoming the first person of color to be elected to Upper Arlington City Council in its 103-year history, and in January of 2024, she proudly became the first person of color to be selected by her peers on Council to serve as President and Mayor for a two-year term.
Professionally, Ukeme is a partner at Taft Law. Her practice focuses on helping her clients bring innovative products and services to market through negotiating and structuring intellectual property licenses, options, and related agreements. She thrives on tackling intricate challenges in the realm of product development and is a true catalyst for innovation.
Beyond her career, Ukeme is a devoted mother to two wonderful children and a dog. She resides in the Greensview neighborhood of Upper Arlington, where she and her family relish in the city’s vibrant culture. They are often found at city events, exploring the parks, indulging in bike rides, engaging in spirited rounds of UNO and Charades, and even belting out tunes from the Hamilton soundtrack.
Ukeme received a J.D from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, an MBA from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell and a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine where she was a college athlete in track and field.
Ukeme lives by the mantra, ‘Be the change you wish to see,’ embodying this in her leadership and advocacy.
