Adeola Folorunso
Adeola Folorunso is a Nigerian-Canadian global health advocate, registered nurse, and humanitarian leader with over 16 years of clinical and public health experience across Nigeria, Canada, and the United States. She is the Founder of Matermental, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing mental health awareness and equitable, culturally responsive care for women, men, and children. Her work integrates clinical expertise with community-based interventions in maternal health, neurodiversity, and preventive public health.
A passionate advocate for maternal mental health and neurodivergent inclusion, Adeola has led impactful initiatives including postpartum depression summits, autism-focused outreach programs, and substance use prevention projects supported by international grants. She co-developed a digital mental health platform that allows women to privately screen for postpartum depression and access early support. Her outreach work also includes providing dental care for children with special needs and delivering nutrition and rehabilitation programs for vulnerable populations in underserved communities.
In addition to her clinical and advocacy leadership, Adeola serves as a United Nations Ambassador for Peace and holds advanced credentials including a BSc in Nursing, master’s degrees in Health Administration and International Public Health, and an MBA. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and an internationally recognized voice in health equity. Through Matermental, her public speaking, and global collaborations, she continues to drive systems-level change in mental health access and inclusive healthcare delivery.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist
• Fellow of the Academy of Public Health
• Neuroscience Coach
• Certificate Member - Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association Inc.
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health
• American Psychiatric Association
• Registered Nurse
• Resilient leadership
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
• Public Speaking and presentation pro(Advanced)
• Panel Discussion Materclass for Moderators and Panelists
• Certified Professional Workshop Facilitator
• Narrative Medicine(Using Stories to Explore Identity and Enhance Wellbeing)
• Certified Human Rights Consultant
• Global Quality Maternal and Newborn Care
• Professional certificate in Strategic Capacity Planning in Project Management
• Professional certificate in International Healthcare Policy Issues
• Certificate in Public Speaking
• American College of Healthcare Executives
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
• Master Life Coach and Practitioner
• Lean management and Culture
• Certified Health Executive
• Liverpool John Moores University - MPH
• Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism
• Honored Listee
• Outstanding Global Health Advocate
• United Nations Ambassador for Peace
• Advocate for people living with Disability
• Outstanding Health Humanitarian Award
• Global Peace Ambassadorial Award
• Doctor of Humanities & Leadership(H.C)
• Medical Field Work Experience Scholarship
• Royal Bank of Canada Diversity in Nursing Award
• Tecla Linn & Nelia Laroza Award
• Nursing student with High Teaching Potentials and Clinical Excellence
• Best Essayist
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health in England
• Fellow of the Academy of Public Health in West Africa
• Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association
• Nigerian Red Cross Society
• Matermental
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the lives I have been able to impact. Hearing that my actions made a meaningful difference in someone’s life is far more valuable to me than any financial reward. My work and education have always been guided by a commitment to serve others and contribute to the community, not personal gain. For me, true success is measured by the positive change I can bring and the assurance that my presence at the right time helped improve someone’s situation.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is understanding the power and value of mentorship. Having mentors has been incredibly helpful in guiding my growth, and it continues to play an important role in my professional development.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to believe in themselves and not rush the process. Timing is important, and the journey allows you to better understand your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges through continuous self-reflection. In a fast-paced world driven by AI and innovation, it is important to stay grounded and ensure you are still developing critical thinking rather than simply trying to move quickly. I also encourage embracing mentorship, both giving and receiving it, because no one succeeds alone. Trust the process, stay persistent through early challenges, keep asking questions, and remember that seeking help is a strength, not a weakness.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The key challenges in my field include mental health stigma—especially in parts of Africa, rising adolescent substance use, and limited diversity in leadership. At the same time, there are strong opportunities in building collaborative partnerships, expanding community-based prevention, and leveraging digital tools and global outreach to improve access and impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values in my work and personal life are humanitarian impact, collaboration, mentorship, and service to the community. I also place strong importance on trusting the process, allowing growth and outcomes to develop with intention, patience, and purpose.