The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) in the United States has announced the election of Ijeoma Akunyili as an alumni board member. She joins eight other distinguished individuals from various countries in this prestigious role.
Ijeoma Akunyili is the first daughter of the late Dora Akunyili, who was the former director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and a former minister of information in Nigeria. Ijeoma’s election to the board marks another significant milestone in her illustrious career. In January 2023, she was appointed as the chief medical officer of the Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJ Barnabas Health facility in the United States.
HKS announced that Ijeoma will commence her four-year term as an alumni board member on July 1. The board consists of 22 volunteer members dedicated to strengthening connections among HKS alumni worldwide. It includes 16 elected members and six appointed members, working across several committees focused on engagement, connections, celebration, recognition, board governance, and communications.
In a statement, HKS highlighted the responsibilities of the alumni board, which include engaging the global alumni community, enhancing alumni relations programs, advising the dean on alumni perspectives, and supporting the school’s mission. The board operates in close partnership with the alumni relations office and senior administrators at HKS.
The school congratulated the newly elected board members, urging them to commit to their roles and actively participate in board initiatives. The members are expected to attend two board meetings annually in Cambridge, MA, at their own expense, and dedicate time to board work outside of these meetings.
HKS emphasized the importance of alumni serving as advocates for the school, recommending prospective students, sharing job or internship opportunities, and encouraging talented alumni to consider running for the board in future elections. The institution also encouraged alumni to lead by example by donating to the HKS fund within their personal capacity.
The election of Ijeoma Akunyili and the other new board members represents a commitment to fostering a strong, engaged global alumni community dedicated to supporting the Harvard Kennedy School’s mission and values.
