Empowering African Youth Through Education and Advancement to take That Next Step

J. Nwando Olayiwola (nee Onyejekwe), MD, MPH, FAAFP

Founder and CEO, That Next Step Africa Co-Chairman, PaNDiN Enterprises, Ibadan, Nigeria

Dr. Olayiwola is the Founder and CEO of That Next Step Africa and the co-Chairman of PaNDiN Enterprises. She has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable, and especially women and girls. She serves as the President of the Advocate National Center for Health Equity and Senior Vice President at Advocate Health, the 3rd largest non-profit health and hospital system in the United States. She is also an Adjunct Professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine & College of Public Health. She has previously served as the inaugural Chief Health Equity Officer and Senior Vice President for Humana, Inc., Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Chief of Family Health Services at The Ohio State University, where she founded the Center for Primary Care Innovation and Transformation. She is an internationally renowned Board-certified family physician, public health professional, health systems redesign leader, health equity pioneer, workforce diversity and inclusion champion and primary care transformation expert. An accomplished healthcare executive, Dr. Olayiwola is a respected innovator and expert in harnessing technology and creative solutions to increase access to healthcare and education for populations that have been underserved and disenfranchised, health and social equity, global health system strengthening and primary care redesign. She is a tireless advocate for the advancement of women and girls across the globe.

Dr. Olayiwola received her Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University, her Medical Doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Medicine/Cleveland Clinic Foundation, completed her residency in Family Medicine at Columbia/New York Presbyterian and her Masters of Public Health in Health Policy at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Mr. Paul Olayiwola, BSc

Founder and CEO, Divine Auto Exports, LLC CEO and Co-Chairman, PaNDiN Hotel & Events Place, Ibadan, Nigeria Chair, Operations and Logistics, That Next Step Africa

Mr. Paul Olayiwola serves as the Chair of Operations and Logistics for That Next Step Africa. Mr. Olayiwola is an economist by training, and currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Divine Auto Exports, LLC in the United States, which is a leading exporter of cars, machines and equipment for West African and European customers. He is also the CEO and Co-Chairman of PaNDiN Hotel and Events Place, a massive and well renowned complete hospitality experience in Ibadan, Nigeria, featuring a hotel, short-stay apartments, event and conference hall, upscale restaurant and lounge, workout facilities, a state-of-the-art swimming pool, and more. He is a successful entrepreneur and leader, employing over 100 Nigerians and developing Nigerian youth as business leaders.

Mr. Paul Olayiwola received his B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from University of Wageningen in The Netherlands and has additional certifications in online business management and economics. He is married and has two school aged children.

Maame Dankwah MD, MPH

Co-Founder and Vice President, That Next Step Africa

Dr. Maame Dankwah is the co-Founder and Vice President of That Next Step Africa, providing key strategic guidance on the development of the program in Ghana and the supportive programming resources for That Next Step. She also serves as an Assistant Professor and Neuro-Hospitalist at Saint Vincent Medical Center in the Department of Medicine of the Frank H. Netter, MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University. She is attended St. Louis’ school in Ghana and completed her Bachelor’s degree, Medical Doctorate and Master’s in Public Health at The Ohio State University. She is actively engaged in the medical ministries of Lighthouse Chapel International and has used her God-given blessings to advance the lives and experiences of women and girls all over Africa.

Mr. Darius Olayiwola

Vice President, Youth Programs, That Next Step Africa Co-Chairman, PaNDiN Enterprises, Ibadan, Nigeria

Mr. Darius Olayiwola serves as the Vice President of Youth Programs for That Next Step Africa along with his sister, Nissi Olayiwola. Darius is a college student at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, where he is a Morrill Distinction Scholar, one of the most prestigious scholarships at the University. He is also a University Honors Student in the College of Engineering. Darius graduated as one of the top students in his high school class at New Albany High School, where he received the Citizenship Award, graduated Magna Cum Laude and with Honors, received the College Board National African-American Recognition Award, Advanced Placement Scholars award, varsity letters for basketball and track, and 5 advanced graduation seals from the school and the county. He is a member of the African Youth League, Black Student Association and the National Society of Black Engineers. He believes strongly that all youth in the world should have access to high quality education and is deeply motivated to achieve educational equity across the world.

Miss Nissi Olayiwola

Vice President, Youth Programs, That Next Step Africa Co-Chairman, PaNDiN Enterprises, Ibadan, Nigeria

Miss Nissi Olayiwola serves as the Vice President of Youth Programs for That Next Step Africa along with her brother, Darius Olayiwola. Nissi is a high school student at New Albany High School, where she is involved in many student activities and a leader. She served as a peer role model in the Sources of Strength program at New Albany Middle School, where she was also selected as the 8th grade volleyball captain and was part of the state championship qualifying girls track team. She is a caring and compassionate young lady who wants every girl to have access to the educational advantages she enjoys. She is committed to advancing educational programs and bringing creative ideas to That Next Step scholars.

Dr. Enaam Adanu

Director, School Relations, That Next Step Africa (Ghana)

Dr. Enaam Adanu is a Director of School Relations for That Next Step Africa, Ghana division, where she serves as a primary liaison between local schools and the TNS program. She is responsible for ensuring strong relationships with schools and universities to grow That Next Step in Ghana.

Dr. Adanu is a medical officer at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. She received her MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and BSc. Medical Sciences from the University of Ghana. Dr. Adanu is interested in public health and implementation science and is passionate about translating research into policies and programs that improve patient outcomes. She currently belongs to a research consortium that looks at researching topics of public health importance and drawing up guidelines that improve patient outcomes. She believes that education is the key to empowerment.

Mr. Emmanuel Ogunola is a Director of School Relations for That Next Step Africa, Nigeria division, where he serves as a primary liaison between local schools in Nigeria, the PaNDiN Foundation and the That Next Step program. He is responsible for curating and maintaining strong relationships with schools and universities to grow That Next Step in Nigeria.

Emmanuel is a graduate of Osun State University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Public Health.

He serves as the Managing Director of the PaNDiN Enterprises Hotels and Events place, where he oversees all hospitality related services for the enterprise, leading a staff of nearly 50 employees. He is also passionate about developing youth into leaders and gainfully employed citizens, and wants every child in Africa to have access to the same educational opportunities he has been blessed with.

Mr. Emmanuel Ogunola

Director, School Relations, That Next Step Africa (Nigeria) Managing Director, PaNDiN Hotels and Events Place, Ibadan, Nigeria

Mrs. Amaris Mohammed

Director, Educational Outreach & Programming, That Next Step Africa

Mrs. Amaris Mohammed (nee Ifedi) is the Director of Educational Outreach and Programming for That Next Step Africa, where she is responsible for developing and advancing additional education and training opportunities for the TNS scholars such as skill building, professional development, tutoring, external resources, exchange programs, mentoring and more.

Amaris is an international development professional with a focus on global education, youth development and cultural exchanges. She has professional experience in Ghana, Nigeria, Ecuador, and South Africa. As a Senior Program Officer at IREX, she manages a portfolio of global exchanges across North America, Latin America, West African, the Middle East and North Africa. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education at Ohio University and her Masters in International Educational Development from Columbia University Teachers College.

Mr. Josh Bernadel, BSBA

Head of Board Operations, That Next Step Africa

Josh Bernadel serves as the Head of Board Operations for That Next Step Africa, ensuring that the organization's administrative and logistics operations run smoothly and are in compliance with charitable giving organization guidelines. From an early age, Josh was captivated by the world of transportation and logistics. His childhood curiosity evolved into a lifelong passion that guided his educational journey. Josh holds a BSBA in Logistics Management from The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business. He works for Microsoft within the Devices Supply Chain organization, where he has held roles spanning reverse logistics, fulfillment & logistics, and currently, product lifecycle management for Xbox. Josh is committed to servant leadership and accountability, values that he has honed through years of hands-on experience and mentorship. He believes in giving back and empowering youth through mentoring programs.