Women in Leadership Conference 2026

As the founder of Elevate Africa, Olorì Atuwatsé III leads a strategic platform that connects African leaders, innovators, and changemakers across the continent and diaspora. Her work actively reshapes the African narrative through high-level convenings, fellowships, and media initiatives.

"Africa's greatness is not a distant dream-it is here, now, waiting to be unlocked by those who dare to see it, embrace it, and act on it."

Her commitment to development is further demonstrated through her role as co-founder of the Royal Iwere Foundation, which operates place-based initiatives including EstablishHER, AriseNOW, Love Gardens, the Teachers' Training Programme, and the STEM and Innovation Lab. These programmes provide comprehensive education, skills training, and economic empowerment opportunities to underserved children and women across the Warri area, advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

"We build our people so they can build their communities."

A passionate advocate for girls' education and women's empowerment, Her Royal Majesty pioneered the Women Allying Women initiative, creating a network of leaders and allies committed to collective empowerment. Her extensive coaching background drives her mentorship approach as she equips young people with practical skills for meaningful economic and social participation.

An accomplished entrepreneur and board member across various enterprises, Olorì Atuwatsé III combines business acumen with her advocacy for the arts and culture, leveraging Africa's rich heritage as a form of soft power to promote the continent's advancement and reshape global narratives.

She is also the author of Redemption, a memoir of identity rebuilt, purpose revealed, and the quiet faithfulness that carries one through unexpected seasons.

"Seeming failure does not disqualify you. It is just an indication that you're going in the wrong direction, and that it's time to learn something new."

Beyond her philanthropic endeavours, Olorì Atuwatsé III serves on the High-Level Advisory Committee on the Nigerian Federal Government's Women's Economic Empowerment and Gender. She holds an LLB from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science, and she is called to the Nigerian Bar.

She is a sought-after thought leader and speaker who has addressed prestigious platforms including the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, the Global Reputation Forum, the African Achievers Awards, a joint session of the Georgia State House of Representatives and Senate (2025), the Lagos State Teachers Education Summit, and the Warri Legislative Arm-House Committee on Education.

Her exceptional contributions to society have earned her international recognition, including the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Council Award for Youth Impact, the 2025 MIPAD Woman of the Year Award, a 2025 Recognition by the Georgia State House of Representatives, the 2024 Banda Leadership Award, the 2024 Leadership Newspaper Social Impact Person of the Year Award, Freedom of the City of London, the US President's Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2024 Most Influential 100 Hall of Fame Award, and Avance Media's 2024 100 Most Influential African Women, among many others.

Olorì Atuwatsé III is happily married to His Royal Majesty, the Olu of Warri, Ogiamę Atuwatsé III CFR, and they are blessed with three children.

Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson operates at the intersection of global diplomacy and transformative storytelling. In 2026, her commitment to elevating the African diaspora and amplifying marginalized voices has reached a new zenith. Currently serving as an Advisor to the Ghana Tourism Federation, Dr. Polote-Williamson leverages her visionary leadership to bridge cultural and economic gaps across the globe. This high-level appointment follows her historic contribution to the inauguration of the Federation's President, where her words served as a catalyst for international partnership.

The current year stands as a powerful validation of Dr. Polote-Williamson's reach across media platforms. Her ability to foster raw, essential dialogue earned her a 2026 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Podcast for her show, Ageless, Fearless & Unscripted. Simultaneously, her status as a pioneer in the business sector was solidified as a 2026 Bow Collective Trailblazer Award recipient and an honoree of the US Black Chamber for her contributions to the global media landscape.

Dr. Polote-Williamson does not merely create content; she builds platforms that empower. This mission is most evident in her recent recognition:

• Media Mogul Status: Awarded the Tony Davis Media Mogul Award (2025 Dallas Weekly), she is recognized for an intentional career dedicated to amplifying Black voices.

• Literary Advocacy: With 19 best-selling titles to her credit—including The Art of Influence—she recently entered a landmark partnership with Storehouse Voices/Crown Publishing to ensure Black narratives receive the global stage they deserve.

• Cinematic Excellence: Her work as an Executive Producer earned an HBO Max Award for the documentary Twenty Pearls, providing a definitive look at the history of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., alongside her contributions to The Invitation, a cinematic tribute to The Links, Incorporated.

Whether sitting on a panel with former First Lady Michelle Obama to discuss The Light We Carry or serving as the Global Ambassador for She Empowerment Global, Dr. Polote-Williamson's presence is a masterclass in purposeful leadership. As the Editor-in-Chief of Cheryl Magazine, she curates a "love letter" to Black women that was recently honored with a Gold MarCom Award for international marketing excellence.

Her insights are sought after by the world's most prestigious stages, including Essence, Black Enterprise, and the National Urban League—and her journey has been chronicled by Forbes, People, Yahoo, and Ebony.

At the heart of her global enterprise is a profound dedication to "women helping women." This lifelong commitment was formally recognized with the Maura Award from the Texas Women's Foundation and the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. From the halls of government in Qatar and Ghana to the forefront of American media, Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson continues to prove that when influence is paired with intention, the impact is limitless.

Joelle Richa is a leadership strategist, investor, executive coach and NLP Practitioner dedicated to developing people, building businesses and creating impact across Africa and internationally.

Alongside her husband, she invests in and develops ventures across Africa and London, particularly in agriculture, housing and education, with a vision to create sustainable growth and opportunity.

Joelle is also the founder of Awaken Platform, where she works with entrepreneurs, executives and emerging leaders to unlock their potential, clarify their purpose and step confidently into their next level of leadership. Her work focuses on personal leadership, purpose, mindset and inner transformation, helping clients recognise the beliefs and patterns that may be limiting them and develop the clarity, confidence and capacity to lead with greater impact.

With over 15 years of experience in business and leadership, Joelle brings together strategic thinking, personal transformation and practical leadership to help people move from potential to purposeful impact.

Dr. Toni Yvonne Luck is an International Transformation Specialist, educator, entrepreneur, Hebrew Bible scholar and global thought leader whose work has empowered women, leaders and communities across the world.

Across more than seven decades of purposeful living, she has advised heads of state and kings on Godly leadership, righteousness and responsible governance. She is the author of seventeen books and training manuals and the founder of WELL—Women Empowered for Life and Living.

She is also Co-founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum—the only Embassy for the African Diaspora—where she serves as Chief of Staff to H.E. Ambassador Erieka Bennett, Founder and Head of Mission.

Known affectionately as “Mama T,” Dr. Luck combines scholarship, spiritual wisdom and lived experience to awaken purpose, strengthen leadership and inspire people to live with courage, sovereignty and intention.

Stephanie Busari is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning British-Nigerian journalist, media strategist, and entrepreneur[cite: 8]. She is widely recognized for her 16-year career at CNN, where she served as the Senior Editor for Africa and pioneered the network's first digital and multi-platform bureau in Lagos, Nigeria[cite: 8].

After leaving CNN, Busari transitioned into strategic communication and entrepreneurship as the Founder and CEO of SBB Media, a public relations and strategic communications agency based in Lagos and London focused on amplifying African voices and leadership[cite: 8].

Amb Abena Busia is a Ghanaian writer, poet, feminist, lecturer and diplomat[cite: 9, 10]. She is a daughter of the former prime minister of Ghana, Kofi Abrefa Busia, and is the sister of actress Akosua Busia[cite: 9, 10].

Busia is an associate professor of Literature in English, and of women's and gender studies at Rutgers University[cite: 9, 10]. She served as Ghana's ambassador to Brazil from 2017 to October 2025 with accreditation to the other 12 republics of South America[cite: 9, 10].