The Ornaments of Grace and Virtue (OGAV) Board of Trustees is comprised of leaders in the fields of international and social development, legal and human resources expertise, and seasoned educators.
Olubusola Kolade studied at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria from where she graduated with an Honor’s degree in Food Science and Technology. She later proceeded to Reading University, England for her Master’s degree in Food Quality Control. She went back for second Master’s Degree at Brunel University London, England for Masters in Environmental Pollution Science with Project Management. Shortly after, she immigrated to Canada and took up an appointment with Ryerson Polytechnic University as an Asst. Professor in the Science department. Olubusola has been an educator in the secondary sector in the last fifteen years with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Her passion for the youth and the need to “catch them young” as she says, made her to go back to Teachers College at Brock University, Hamilton, Canada and since then, has been an employee of TDSB as a teacher. Her passion for the young ones to succeed motivates her to chair/co-chair different initiatives, such as Character Education, the Student Recognition award, the Outstanding Student of the Month Award and the Equity Committee. Olubusola is a firm believer in mentoring youth. She thinks that no youth should be left behind but equipped to achieve success and that good virtues and values are learned and not a coincidence. She is the founder and President of a Charitable Organization, Ornaments of Grace and Virtue Organization (OGAV), which goal is, to promote the advancement of girls’ education with a focus on career guidance, character education and leadership. OGAV is working in partnership with girls in secondary schools within the community Busola is an author of a newly published book “Share it” by Westbow publishers. She loves her heritage and is actively involved in the Nigerian Community in Toronto, where she lives. Her outgoing personality in combination with her involvement with different community organizations has allowed her to serve as part of the executive officers – Secretary, Social Secretary and Board of Director. Olubusola has been recognized and given awards for her various commitments to service and leadership within her community by the Toronto School Board, Toronto Police and Nigerian Canadian Association. Her passion for nurturing and mentoring girls also made her to be recognized and given the Distinguished Old Girls award by Queen’s School Old Girls Association Nigeria. In 2018 she was among the women recognized for the prestigious award 100 Accomplished Black Women of Canada. She is a woman of strength, great courage and absolute faith in the Lord.. She believes in making success through commitment and persistence out of daunting situations in life. Her quest and passion for life is infectious and she positively impacts others that come across her path. She is married with two children.
Franca Elvis-Isi is a highly renowned and avid member of the prestigious Institute of the Chartered Accountants of Nigeria for the past 11 years. She worked at several top influential banks in Nigeria for about 12 years and briefly pursued that journey here in Canada for about 2 years before pursuing a new dreams in Project Management. Franca is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a successful Business Analyst and a Scrum Master and currently work with a financial institution as project manager.
Barbara Sowah-Collins is a Public Health Nurse with strong passion to make a different in her community.
Barbara holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ryerson University; with an initial Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology from University of Toronto
As a Public Health Nurse, Barbara’s focus has been in the investigation of the Social Determinants of Health amongst the people of the Haldimand Norfolk County area. Her passion include promoting equal opportunities amongst young girls regardless of their backgrounds.
Judith holds a B.Sc. in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Benin and has worked within the Canadian Insurance Industry for over 12 years. She is a Chartered Insurance Professional and a Business Systems Analyst. Judith has a passion for helping people and motivating them to be their best. Ardent at encouraging people to strive for success, she draws inspiration from her faith and the fulfillment in seeing others succeed. She strongly believes that each person has within themselves, an innate potential to excel at something and loves the challenge of guiding them towards achieving that potential. This is at the heart of her interest in girls’ education and access to opportunities that will enable them be successful, independent and contributing members of their communities. In her free time, Judith enjoys nature, reading and photography.
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves “- William Shakespeare.
Dr. Otoide received her B.Sc. from the University of Winnipeg. She continued her studies at Brock University where she obtained her M.Ed. in Educational Administration. Dr. Otoide subsequently completed her Ph.D. in Science Education at York University. She has 15 years of diverse professional experience in K-12 education and undergraduate teaching as a Course Director in the Faculty of Education, York University. She is a Center for Refugee Studies Scholar. Her research interests are interdisciplinary, and current interests include teaching and learning in Science, Mathematics and Technology education within an international and comparative education framework. Dr. Otoide has presented her research at various national and international conferences.
Adeola is a seasoned educationist. She graduated from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria where she obtained B.Ed., M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees in education. She started her teaching career 37 years ago in Nigeria. After teaching for a few years she was transferred to the Mass Education Agency under the ministry of education in Oyo and Osun states of Nigeria. During her tenure with the agencies, she was the focal person for the UNICEF mass literacy program and also the program manager for the United Nations mass literacy development program in Osun – state from 1996 to 2000. Adeola is passionate about education for all, especially for girls and women. Her doctoral thesis focused more on literacy and income generation for women in rural areas of Oyo state. She has represented Nigeria at various conferences in Germany, the United States, Paris and other parts of the world before she relocated to Canada 20 years ago. She has a special passion for teenagers and youths and that is why she is involved in many activities that pertain to their education and well - being in the church and the community both in Nigeria and Canada. Adeola is an Ontario Certified teacher. She currently works as a teacher with the Peel Board in Ontario, Canada. She is also a member of the Climate Committee and girls group at the school where she works. Adeola is married and blessed with children and grandchildren.
Non-Executive Director- Access Bank PLC
Mrs. Ogunmefun is a Barrister and Solicitor, who is member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, as well as a member of the Nigerian Bar.
She obtained her LL.B (Honours) from the University Lagos in 1974 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1975. She was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2004.
She has a certificate in Dispute Resolution from York University (Ontario) and has completed the Canadian Securities Course with the Canadian Securities Institute (Mutual Funds Licensing).
She has over three decades of experience in Corporate/Commercial and Banking Law, having begun her career at Chase Merchant Bank Nigeria. Following her admission to the Law Society of Upper Canada, Mrs. Ogunmefun practiced in the areas of Family Law and Immigration Law.
She also has extensive experience as a Board member, having served of on the Board of Credite Bank Nigeria and more recently she served as Board Member of Kinark Child and Family Services (Ontario, Canada), where she was the Chairman of the Governance Committee.
She has attended several courses on Corporate Governance and Risk Management.
Folusho is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) with over 20 years of teaching experience in Canada and internationally. She is passionate about social and economic justice for children and youth. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and is committed to giving back to her community through mentoring and empowerment of young women. Folusho is a member of the Board of Trustee and currently serving as OGAV’s General Secretary.