Onome Ako

ONOME AKO: is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Action Against Hunger Canada, an international humanitarian organization that fights hunger and its root causes worldwide.

She brings her passion for community-led approaches to address one of the most fundamental and basic human rights—the right to food—through fighting hunger and malnutrition.

Ako has led initiatives in more than 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 the Obafemi Awolowo University Nigeria, an M.A in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University Nigeria, and an M.Sc. in Management of NGOs and Social Policy from the London School of Economics.

She is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) and is a member of the advisory committee for the Centennial College International Development program.

She was named to the 2020 Canadian Women in Global Health list. She was recognized as one of 2021 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award, which spans the private, public and not-for-profit sectors and recognizes outstanding women across Canada for their accomplishments as agents of change and for their ability to inspire and engage future leaders.

Most recently, (2022) Ako was named a Hero for Children by World Vision Canada andwas the recipient of their “Voice of the Children” Award.