ABOUT ME:
Joy Ndegemo Atkinson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Mpower Afrika, where she leads the organization’s strategic vision, international expansion, and program implementation. Her work focuses on expanding access to mentorship, strengthening career pathways, and empowering young adults across Africa and the diaspora.
Her commitment to mentorship is deeply personal and believes access to mentorship can transform lives. Inspired by her own journey as a first‑generation lawyer, Joy experienced firsthand while in law school, where she was mentored by a High Court judge in Uganda.
That relationship not only strengthened her academic performance but also shaped her confidence and future trajectory, ultimately guiding her toward pursuing a master’s degree in the United States. She discovered the transformational impact of having someone invested in her success—an experience that continues to shape her mission and leadership philosophy.
Joy’s roots in the nonprofit sector began in her childhood, watching her mother and grandmother lead a Women’s organization that focused on economic empowerment and collective growth. Watching these women build lasting bonds and create opportunities together left a profound and lasting impression.
Inspired by this legacy, Joy founded her first nonprofit while still in law school, focused on fostering unity and shared progress within her community. This early leadership experience laid the foundation and sparked a lifelong commitment to service and social impact.
Over the past 14 years, Joy has served in a wide range of roles across local, national, and international organizations—including founder, executive director, board member, staff member, and volunteer. Her experience spans direct service, organizational leadership, and philanthropic strategy, allowing her to approach community impact and career pathways for young adults with both vision and practical insight.
In addition to her work at Mpower Afrika, Joy serves as General Counsel to Minol USA and Zenner USA and is the founder of Atkinson Advisory Group, specializing in corporate advisory and mediation. Through her advisory work, she supports businesses, nonprofits, and individuals in areas such as strategic planning, leadership development, international business, and dispute resolution.
Joy holds a Master’s degree in International Commercial Law and Dispute Resolution. Outside of her professional work, Joy enjoys traveling, watching movies, and being wifey and mama.
She serves as an ex‑officio, non‑voting member of the Mpower Afrika Board of Directors.