Building a Beyond-Your-Wildest Dreams International Career

For Foreign Service Officer and ExchangeAlumni Heather Joy Thompson, it never entered her mind that she could have an international career -- until she had to return home to the United States for routine dental work during her Peace Corps service in Burkina Faso. It was then that one of her Spelman College sisters put her in touch with the woman who changed Heather Joy’s career trajectory. 

On this episode of MentorTalks, hear how Heather Joy went from law school to working for American singer, actor, and rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, and on to the Foreign Service for the U.S. Department of State. An international lifestyle blogger, Heather Joy seems to do it all – she says it’s a commitment to staying true to herself that keeps her motivated. 

Heather Joy also shares why having a coalition of sisterhood and like-minded people is important, and how she has drawn on her experiences interacting with people of different beliefs and perspectives to succeed in her career. In light of Black History Month, Heather Joy also discusses how we can continue to support and encourage diversity in international exchange. 

“Your ideas matter, and it’s your duty to carry them forward,” Heather Joy said.

Want to learn more about joining the Foreign Service, studying abroad, or the Peace Corps? Or, seizing a moment? Tune into the episode on @VoicesofExchange to hear more about Heather Joy’s experiences, where she sought mentorship and inspiration, and why it’s important to help and raise up the next generation.  

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY

Heather Joy Thompson, Esq., is a lawyer and an award-winning career diplomat at the United States Department of State. She learned to cook at her mother’s knee while preparing treasured family meals. Heather Joy later developed both her culinary skills and a talent for elevating food and lifestyle experiences through the deep appreciation for cultures she gained while traveling the globe. Heather Joy served as a representative to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and was an International Career Advancement Program Fellow at the Aspen Institute. She was previously the State Department’s Diplomat-in-Residence and a Senior Fellow at UCLA. She also has served in Washington, D.C., Mexico City, and Johannesburg.

While living in Johannesburg, Heather Joy co-founded Abafazi Ambassadors, a leadership development program for students from The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, in Henley-Upon-Klip, South Africa. Heather Joy started her career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Her travels and studies have taken her to more than 40 countries in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, and Australia.

Heather Joy grew up in Southfield, Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from Spelman College and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School.

Prior to joining the State Department, Heather Joy was Sean “Diddy” Combs’ personal assistant and went on to lead his “Vote or Die” voter education campaign. Heather Joy currently stars in a national television advertisement campaign for ‘Dove Amplified Textures.’ She has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Where Are They Now, and in the pages of the New York Times, Town & Country Magazine, Ebony, Essence, JET, and on PEOPLE.com