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This summer, Lehigh University’s Iacocca Institute is hosting 25 of Africa’s brightest emerging business leaders as part of the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, an initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Over the next several weeks, we will spotlight several of these talented young innovators and entrepreneurs, showcasing the impactful work they are doing in their home communities, as well as their experiences during the six-week program at Lehigh.

Among these young leaders is Amoo Ridwanullahi Olasunkanmi, a mental health advocate and the founder of HEvolve, a technology-driven mental health organization created out of his own personal experiences and struggles with mental health challenges.

Can you describe your current professional role and share what inspired you to pursue this career path?

As a survivor of multiple waves of abuse and having dealt with the significant difficulties of mental illness, in 2019 I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD, also in 2020, I attempted suicide twice.

As a mental health advocate and founder of HEvolve, this platform serves as a safe space and community for men to openly discuss their mental health and wellbeing. My own personal experiences with mental health issues and the hardships I have overcome have seemingly inspired me to advocate for and support others facing similar challenges.

By drawing from my own healing process, I have sought to provide a supportive environment for men to openly address their mental health concerns, which can often be stigmatized or overlooked.

How has your experience at Lehigh and the Iacocca Institute been? Are there any particular moments or experiences that have stood out to you?

I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience at Lehigh University and the Iacocca Institute. There are several specific moments and experiences that have really stuck out to me.

Firstly, I was incredibly impressed by the fellowship program and how well it was designed to meet the individual needs of the participants. Having that level of customization and attention to detail is quite remarkable.

The opportunities to engage with diverse groups – from the high school students to alumni and faculty members also stand out as highlights. Being able to learn from and interact with such a wide range of people is invaluable and adds tremendous richness to the experience.

And I must say, the variety of delicious food options available at Rathbone Hall was a real perk that I clearly appreciated. I am considering returning to Lehigh for my MBA in Psychology to further pursue my passion for mental health. 

How do you plan to apply the knowledge and skills you've gained here to your work back home?

I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to experience Lehigh University and the Iacocca Institute. The access to amazing speakers and facilitators in areas like leadership, operations management, and financial management has been invaluable. I've gained so much knowledge that I know will have a tremendous impact on my work with HEvolve. 

Specifically, what I've learned here will allow us to streamline our processes and better serve the men we work with. This is incredibly important, as our mission is to have the greatest positive impact possible.

One concrete example of how I've been able to apply my learnings is the launch of the HEvolve Companion platform. This new initiative provides the men we serve with access to therapy at zero cost. Being able to offer this critical resource is a direct result of the insights I've gained during my time at Lehigh and the Iacocca Institute.

I'm truly thankful to Lehigh University and the Iacocca Institute for creating such a rich and impactful learning experience. The knowledge and skills I'm taking back home will be instrumental in helping HEvolve continue to grow and better fulfill our mission. This has undoubtedly been a transformative experience.