Hello, I am Ophelia Delali Amenuxe Akoto

A passionate policy researcher and advocate for social impact, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Policy at Brandeis University. My academic journey has taken me through the fields of public service, business, and social policy, all of which have shaped my commitment to equity and community-centered change.

My research focuses on STEM education, female labor force development, child labor protections, and women’s entrepreneurship. I’ve had the privilege of working with organizations like USAID’s AMREF “Kefeta” project, Catholic Relief Services, and Vital Voices Global Partnership—where I’ve led research, developed data tools, and shared insights to help shape policy and practice.

I’m also the founder of the LiberateHer Cycle Project, a binational initiative that addresses menstrual poverty and promotes leadership and mentorship among women and girls in the U.S. and Ghana.

Through every opportunity, I strive to center community voice, elevate equity, and create spaces where women and young leaders can thrive. My journey has been supported by fellowships and awards from AAUW, Rotary International, and the Institute for International Education, among others—all of which fuel my drive to lead with purpose and impact.

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Research Interests

STEM Education 

Female Labor Force Development 

Women’s Entrepreneurship 

Child Labor, Safety and Protections

Education

In Progress
Brandeis University
Ph.D. in Social Policy
2024
Brandeis University
Master of Arts in Social Policy (Masters En Route to PhD)
2022
University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service
Master of Public Service
2019
University of Central Arkansas
Master of Business Administration
2018
Henderson State University
Bachelor of Business Administration

Awards

2024
Institute for International Education (IIE), Richard A Horovitz Fund for Professional Development
Awarded a grant to support Ph.D. research
2023 – 2024
American Association of University Women
Awarded an international doctoral fellowship award to support Ph.D. research
2023
David and Eva Gil Scholarship Recipient
Awarded a scholarship to support research on economic inequities
2020 - 2022
Rotary International Global Grant Scholar
Awarded a Rotary Global Grant to pursue a career focused on Economic and Community development
2022
Dr. Tom Bruce, best Graduating International Student at the Clinton School of Public Service
Awarded the best graduating international student for contribution towards world peace
2022
Dean Skip Rutherford grant
Awarded a grant for exceptional leadership and public service
2022
McLarty Scholar
A fellowship for research and policy work concerning women in Washington, DC
2021
Lauren T. Remedios Scholarship
Scholarship towards the completion of public service project
2018
Print Mania Outstanding Management student
Awarded as the outstanding Management Graduate (Henderson State University)
2017
Battle of the Ravine Business Entrepreneurship Competition
3rd Place Winner
2017
Oscar and Ethel Greensburg Award
Awarded the most passionate business student (Henderson State University)
2017
Henderson State University
Awarded the most Outstanding business law student award

Career Experiences

As part of the USAID AMREF “Kefeta” project, I delve into researching higher education career readiness, uncovering key insights to support the initiative's goals. I curate data collection tools, carefully designing and testing surveys and interview protocols to ensure their effectiveness. Through both qualitative and quantitative analyses, I identify trends and patterns that reveal challenges and opportunities in this space. The highlight of my work is presenting these findings to a room of over 40 stakeholders, transforming complex data into compelling narratives that spark meaningful discussions and inspire actionable strategies for the future.
Heller School of Social Policy and Management, Center for Youth and Communities - Waltham, Massachusetts
I contributed to projects empowering women in households in Niger and the Democratic Republic of Congo by analyzing data and supporting initiatives. Collaborating with the climate change team, I co-authored a report on gender and climate change integration. Additionally, I interviewed over 15 employees to enhance gender integration in monitoring and evaluation, providing actionable recommendations now being implemented to drive meaningful change.
Catholic Relief Services - Baltimore, Maryland
I took on the exciting challenge of evaluating how Vital Voices participants were connecting and collaborating both before and after COVID-19. Using contribution mapping and Lucidcharts, I visually mapped out the intricate networks and relationships within the community, uncovering key patterns and trends. To deepen my insights, I conducted interviews with participants, carefully analyzing their responses to understand their experiences and needs. This process not only sharpened my skills in data collection and analysis but also enabled me to craft thoughtful recommendations to better support women within the network. The project was a fulfilling opportunity to bridge data with real-world impact, ensuring that Vital Voices could continue fostering meaningful connections and empowering women globally.
Vital Voices Global Partnerships - Washington, District of Columbia
In Newport, Arkansas, I conducted research to uncover the barriers preventing women from fully participating in the labor force. Through a combination of carefully crafted surveys and dynamic focus group activities, I gathered valuable insights directly from participants. Analyzing the data, I identified key challenges and developed actionable strategies to address them. Presenting these recommendations to local stakeholders, I provided clear, practical solutions to bridge the identified gaps. Seeing these strategies now being implemented in Newport has been immensely rewarding, knowing they are paving the way for greater opportunities and empowerment for women in the community.
Newport Economic Development Commission - Little Rock, Arkansas

Projects & Features

Ph.D. in Social Policy