Q&A | Leading with Authenticity, Global Vision & Purpose-Driven Strategy
A Conversation with Onome Ako
Hosted by Daniel Francavilla, The Good Growth Company
In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with award-winning leader Onome Ako to explore what it means to lead with authenticity, resilience, and global perspective in today’s nonprofit and social impact landscape.
With two decades of experience in international development and humanitarian work—spanning health, climate, gender equality, and human rights—Onome brings a rare combination of operational leadership, strategic foresight, and deep values alignment to every space she enters. Whether in the boardroom, the field, or the pages of her empowering children’s book I Am Cherished, Onome is committed to advancing equity and creating space for underrepresented voices.
From navigating complex global partnerships to writing about Black women in leadership, Onome’s story is one of courage, clarity, and impact—and one that will resonate with nonprofit professionals and leaders at every stage.
In this session, we’ll explore:
• What it means to lead authentically in high-stakes environments
• How to stay rooted in purpose while navigating organizational change
• Lessons from international development that apply to local nonprofits and community work
• How to champion gender equality and human rights in your day-to-day leadership
• Why representation matters—and how to create more inclusive leadership pipelines
• The power of storytelling, identity, and cultural affirmation in social impact work
• How to align your personal mission with your organization’s broader vision
This conversation is perfect for nonprofit and social purpose leaders who want to deepen their leadership practice, build resilient teams, and scale their impact—without losing sight of their values.
About the Speaker
Onome Ako is the Chief Executive Officer of Action Against Hunger Canada. She brings her passion for community-led approaches to address one of the most fundamental human rights—the right to food—by tackling hunger and malnutrition globally. Onome has led initiatives in over 20 countries with organizations including Amref Health Africa, World Vision Canada, AfricaRecruit (a program of the Commonwealth), and UNESCO–Regional Bureau for Education.
She holds a B.A. in English from Obafemi Awolowo University, an M.A. in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, and an M.Sc. in Management of NGOs and Social Policy from the London School of Economics. She also holds the ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Business, Toronto.
Onome serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) and sits on the advisory committee for the International Development program at Centennial College. She was named to the 2020 Canadian Women in Global Health list and recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 in 2021. In 2022, she was named a Hero for Children by World Vision Canada and received their “Voice of the Children” award. Most recently, in 2023, she received the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award for her impact in Social Change.
Onome is also a published author. Her children’s book, I Am Cherished / Mon nom est Kikelomo, celebrates identity, belonging, and cultural pride. She is a co-author of Embracing Ambition, a leadership collaborative amplifying women’s voices in leadership.
About the Series
This online event is part of a complimentary series of talks and Q&A sessions hosted by The Good Growth Company in partnership with the Centre for Social Innovation. Each session features an expert from the community sharing 10 things social purpose organizations need to know about a given topic. The series is designed for leaders and within nonprofits, charities and social ventures.
Format: 10 Tips Presentation + Question & Answer Session (Total 1 Hour)
About the Host
The Good Growth Company is an up-skilling company for non-profit organizations and purpose-driven businesses seeking to invest in their people to help scale their mission. Boost your social impact and level up your team with targeted workshops and more. Get started here.
A Membership with More
Watch the recording from this session and all past sessions through our Training Library. Created for individuals working in social good, The Good Growth Company's individual membership level is the perfect way to catch up on all past sessions from our 10 Things series, including expert tips and recorded audience questions. Find out more or signup for instant access for only $9 here: https://thegoodgrowth.company/membership