Cecelia Ogechi Oparah

Ogechi has intentionally pursued professional experience in the non-profit sector, exploring issues in criminal justice reform and education disparities. Her experiences have inspired her to work in the public sector as an advocate and thought leader.

Ogechi previously worked at the world-renowned Woodruff Arts Center, overseeing a $1.5 million grant to advance the arts in a metro-Atlanta school district. At the age of twenty-two, she ran for public office, seeking to serve on the School Board in Fayette County, Georgia. While she did not win the partisan race, Ogechi decided to use this early experience to help others in her shoes by serving as the President of Fayette Democratic Women, an organization that aims to empower women to be change agents and decision-makers in their communities. During her tenure, Fayette Democratic Women raised unprecedented funds to support local candidates. In 2015, it was named Outstanding Chapter of the Year.

As part of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Millennial Advisory Panel, she joined a cohort of young professionals tasked with shaping the region’s plan for the next 20 years. She also has served on the board of directors of the Fayette Visioning Initiative, which measures, promotes, and communicates to the public progress around a collective vision for community development.

Ogechi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Princeton University and a Master’s of Public Administration from Baruch College.