Facilitate mentorship opportunities for young people especially women pursuing STEM careers
Throughout her life, Ogochi believed in the power of great mentorship. Some of her most enduring relationships were with her mentors, both private and professional. She received excellent mentorship from senior colleagues and was always willing to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with anyone who could benefit from it. This foundation is committed to continuing this noble objective by bringing together mentors and mentees in a safe space to exchange ideas and experiences and impact each other in meaningful ways..
Enabling professional skill development through scholarships
One of Ogochi’s favorite books was “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson, about the inevitability of change and our obligation to prepare for it. Although applicable to all aspects of life, she often spoke about this in the context of one’s career and being ready for the next big change that will happen to your industry or profession. She was an avid learner. She always sought to stay one step ahead of the times by taking advantage of all the professional development opportunities her employment, professional affiliations, or other means gave her. At a time when in-demand professional skills are evolving at a breakneck pace, and working professionals often need to invest in skill development as a matter of survival, we recognize that numerous young and advanced professionals may be looking for opportunities to up-skill but might not have the resources to do so. Providing small-dollar need-based scholarships (sub $100) can ensure more people are ready to look for “new cheese” when the time comes.
Advocating for the unborn.
Ogochi was a proud pro-lifer throughout her life. She believed in the sacrosanctity of life and was always involved with groups and initiatives working to protect the unborn. We wish to continue her work by partnering with groups and institutions that seek solutions that advocate for the unborn. Areas of collaboration include providing early counseling to those in vulnerable situations, looking for alternate solutions like adoption for those in desperate situations, and promoting the message around the absolute sanctity of life.
Early breast cancer screening for women particularly those not identified as “at risk” based on family history
Breast cancer occurs in every part of the world in women of all ages after attaining puberty. Family history of breast cancer increases the risk of breast cancer, but most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a known family history of the disease. Ogochi fell into this category. However, the story of the final years of her life reinforced the importance of early screening, especially for those without this often proclaimed high-risk factor. By increasing awareness and access to early screening, the foundation aims to contribute to this important endeavor and significantly increase the chances of survival for diagnosed women.