Ezinne Ezeani

Ezinne Ezeani She Can Nigeria Ezinne is the Founder of She Can Nigeria, an empowerment movement for today’s Nigerian women to realize and build her potential irrespective of her background. She is also the current MD, ZK Signature Limited a Corporate Tour & Event Management company. She holds a Master’s Degree in Managerial Psychology from the University of Lagos, along … Read More

Ezenwa Okoro

Ezenwa Okoro Street Project Foundation Ezenwa Okoro has fourteen years’ experience working in the youth and community development sector. He is a Mandela Washington Fellow of the Young African Leaders Initiative. He is the Program Manager of Street Project Foundation, a Social Enterprise that uses Creative Arts as a tool to facilitate opportunities for youth employment and engagement. Ezenwa is … Read More

Ekpo “Gift” GodsGift

Ekpo “Gift” GodsGift Improved Sexual Health and Rights Advocacy Initiative (ISHRAI) Gift is a Program Officer with ISHRAI, a community-led organization working to reduce discrimination and violence against adolescent girls and other vulnerable youth. His background as a paralegal along with his work with ISHRAI has built his expertise in community development and mobilization, human rights, and advocacy. Gift is also … Read More

Ebele Okoye

Ebele Okoye Women’s Board Educational Corporation Society Ebele is the Director of Education in Women’s Board Educational Cooperation Society, an organization based in Lagos, Nigeria focusing on the provision of vocational training in catering and hospitality management, leadership training, literacy, education for the rights of women and families, and running out-of-school programmes for teenagers. In addition, she heads a leadership … Read More

Biola Ibiefo Ogunyemi

Biola Ibiefo Ogunyemi Good Women Association Biola is the Executive Director of Good Women Association and serves as a local implementation partner for the Heartland Alliance International in Nigeria. She is a human rights activist fighting for the rights of women and young girls in Nigeria, with over 15 years’ experience working with communities to implement programs in the field … Read More

Betty Abah

Betty Abah Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) With 10 years of experience in the NGO sector, Betty is the Founder and Executive Director of CEE-HOPE which works with at-risk girls in slum communities across Nigeria, including Makoko in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest urban slum settlement. CEE-HOPE’s programs focus on increasing girl leadership, mentorship and developing their skills … Read More

Amaka Narah Enemo

Amaka Narah Enemo Passion and Concern for Women Welfare and Empowerment Initiative (PACOWWEI) Amaka is the national coordinator of Nigeria Sex Workers Association (NSWA) and the Executive Director of PACOWWEI, a female sex-worker community-based organization. As a passionate advocate, Amaka advocates on a number of key issues, including for the inclusion of Pre-Exposure Prophalaxis (PrEP) in Nigeria’s National treatment guidelines … Read More

Live, Leap, Learn: Lessons from My Mother

By Denise Raquel Dunning, Founder + Executive Director Having children has given me a completely different perspective on motherhood and a much deeper appreciation for my own mom. As I struggle along with so many women to balance family and work, I have increasing gratitude for my mom’s priorities, choices, and sacrifices. And as I learn from the many Rise Up leaders … Read More

Inspirations from USOW 2018

by Loretta Stagnitto, Rise Up Leadership Council member This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the United State of Women (USOW) summit in Los Angeles as a member of the leadership council of Rise Up. Not only was I open to the invitation to attend because I was curious and interested after my great experience at the United Nations … Read More

Reflections from USOW 2018

by April Benavidez King, Rise Up Leadership Council member I have to admit that when I first received Rise Up’s invitation to the United State of Women (USOW) summit–other than the draw of seeing Michelle Obama and Jane Fonda speak–I really had no idea what was in store for me. I made the trek down to Los Angeles with great anticipation of … Read More