CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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.