Influential Women spotlights Madam Ola Kukoyi’s work on health equity and New American communities

Influential Women has featured Madam Ola Kukoyi, founder and executive director of Denver nonprofit Good Shepherd Organization, for her work advancing health equity, cultural competency and support for immigrants and refugees. Her profile highlights years of government service, public health training and community leadership across Colorado and beyond.

Why it matters: - Ola Kukoyi’s work sits at the intersection of public health, immigrant integration and community advocacy. - Her focus on culturally responsive support addresses barriers that New Americans often face in health systems, government services and community life. - The profile underscores the growing importance of leaders who can bridge language, culture and institutions for diverse communities.

What happened: - Influential Women highlighted Madam Ola Kukoyi, founder and executive director of the Good Shepherd Organization in Denver. - The feature was published Oct. 7, 2026. - The profile framed Kukoyi as a public health professional and community leader focused on cultural competency, inclusion and community engagement. - Kukoyi leads a Denver-based nonprofit serving New Americans, including immigrants, refugees and their children.

The details: - Kukoyi earned a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria. - She earned a master’s degree in public health from the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. - She is pursuing a doctorate in public health with a focus on community and behavioral health. - Kukoyi also completed Project Management Professional training. - She spent 17 years in government service. - Nearly 10 of those years were with the City and County of Denver, where she worked as a subject matter expert and administrator focused on the integration and advancement of New American populations. - She now serves as a commissioner on the Denver Immigrants and Refugee Commission. - She also serves on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Health Equity Commission. - Kukoyi is a state delegate for the Refugee Congress and an executive member of Yoruba Colorado. - Her professional affiliations include the American Public Health Association, Colorado Public Health Association, United Nations Association USA and Nigerian Women Association. - She speaks English, Efik and Yoruba. - Kukoyi also works with organizations in Nigeria to support widows through microfinancing initiatives. - She collaborates with African leadership groups serving immigrant and refugee communities in the U.S. and abroad. - Her public comments in the profile emphasized respect, dignity, teamwork and cultural competency as core principles. - She said advocacy should go beyond conversation and include an active search for solutions. - She said nonprofits continue to face funding challenges. - She also pointed to barriers tied to skin color and accent that can limit recognition of expertise and opportunity. - Kukoyi said her faith, her mother’s emphasis on education, and support from her husband, son, siblings and extended family have been central sources of strength. - The profile said her mother raised five daughters and instilled a belief that women can thrive through education. - The article included more information about her Influential Women profile and the Good Shepherd Organization.

Between the lines: - The feature positions cultural competence as more than a soft skill; it is presented as a practical requirement for effective service delivery. - Kukoyi’s background in government and public health gives her credibility in debates over equity, access and representation. - The profile also reflects a broader push to elevate immigrant and refugee leaders who bring lived experience to policy and community work.

What's next: - Kukoyi is continuing her doctorate while leading the Good Shepherd Organization. - Her next phase of work appears tied to expanding health equity, immigrant support and community empowerment efforts in Colorado and in transnational partnerships. - The profile suggests she will keep using public platforms to encourage young women entering public health and community leadership.

The bottom line: - Influential Women used the profile to spotlight a leader whose work blends academic training, government experience and cultural fluency to support New American communities.