Start-Ups and Social Media: Ogechi Ikhile

This week, we are introducing a new board member to the #ICANHELP family: Ogechi Ikhile! 

Ogechi Ikhile is a big advocate for diversity in tech. Her father works in healthcare and her mother is an engineer, so STEM has always been a huge part of Ogechi’s life, which inspired her to pursue a career in the tech world. “I started in the [Carlisle group] data centers, then I went to work for a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) company, and that’s where I got my background in not just data centers, but in cloud-based applications as well as phones and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS).” 

Over the course of her career, Ogechi has worked for a variety of tech companies, from giants like Oracle to small startups. “I don’t want to age myself, but I’ve been in the IT world for about twenty years,” Ogechi laughs. She has deep knowledge and experience regarding the ways in which people can use technology to create, innovate, and connect. 

She’s joined #ICANHELP’s board because it aligns with her passion to use technology for good. “I love being in the tech world, but I also see how technology has also caused harm with social media,” she says. “I want to make sure that the industry that I’m in is always using technology for good—and if it isn’t, I want to stand up and help make a change.” 

One of her primary passions is mentoring young women and supporting women of color in the tech industry. “In 2019, I started a consulting company called Ikhile tech. Our goal is to help businesses hire women—especially women of color—into IT roles. I feel like when you have people of all different sectors of life, it enriches the company.” 

#ICANHELP’s mission to empower youth through technology resonates deeply with Ogechi and aligns with the work she’s done with other nonprofit organizations. “#ICANHELP really fits with my tech background and my passion for the youth, especially those at risk. I want to be an advocate to make sure that the industry that I’m part of is trustworthy, ethical, and is used to lift people up, not tear them down.” 

One of her goals in her new position is to raise #ICANHELP’s profile in the tech industry. “I really want to build more partnerships with some of the larger tech companies while also focusing on increasing relationships with startups,” she says. “They have the same passion #ICANHELP does about making sure that technology is being used for good.” 

Working with #ICANHELP’s student community will also help her share her knowledge about the experiences and opportunities available to them in tech. “There’s more to IT than just fixing computers. There are so many vast opportunities that fall underneath the umbrella of the technology and IT industry, and I think that is just [about] teaching the youth that this is something different that you might not be aware of, but it’s definitely where the future is going.” 

We’re so excited and grateful to have Ogechi on our team to help us make the digital world a positive place—please join us in welcoming her!