Ophelia D. Akoto
About Ophelia D. Akoto
Ophelia D. Akoto is a Gender Intern at Catholic Relief Services and a Graduate Research Assistant at The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. She has a diverse background in research and internships focused on gender, climate change, and public service, supported by multiple degrees in business and public administration.
Work at Catholic Relief Services
Ophelia D. Akoto has served as a Gender Intern at Catholic Relief Services since 2023. In this role, she focuses on the intersection of gender and climate change, contributing to knowledge management and learning. She captures and shares lessons learned and best practices to enhance the organization’s effectiveness in addressing gender issues within international relief and development contexts.
Current Position at Brandeis University
Since 2022, Ophelia D. Akoto has worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. In this position, she engages in research activities that support the school’s mission to advance social policy and management practices. Her academic involvement complements her professional experience in gender and social policy.
Previous Experience at Vital Voices Global Partnership
Ophelia D. Akoto previously worked at Vital Voices Global Partnership, where she held two positions. She served as a McLarty Scholar from 2021 to 2022 and as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) Intern from 2021 to 2022. In these roles, she contributed to various projects aimed at empowering women and promoting gender equity.
Educational Background
Ophelia D. Akoto holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship with a Minor in Psychology from Henderson State University, completed in 2018. She also earned a Master of Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service in 2022. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Policy at Brandeis University, expected to complete in 2026. Additionally, she obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Central Arkansas in 2019.
Research Contributions
In her current role as a Gender Intern, Ophelia D. Akoto has conducted significant research on the integration of gender considerations into Monitoring and Evaluation processes for international relief and development organizations. This work aims to enhance understanding and implementation of gender-responsive practices in various projects and initiatives.