Introducing the Julayo team!

CO-FOUNDERS

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    Julia Polk

    PRESIDENT

    Dr. Polk is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist with 14 years of clinical experience and over 10 years of global health experience. She practices in the bay area of California and gives her all to Julayo.

    IN

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    Funmilayo Bandele

    VICE PRESIDENT

    RN, PhD (Doctor of Nursing Practice) is a nurse leader, and legal nurse consultant. She has 29 years of clinical nursing experience and has been teaching nursing for 6 years. She is from Ondo-State where Julayo’s first clinic is being built and is the one who first envisioned Julayo’s footprint.

    IN

BOARD MEMBERS

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    Ronald Adebola Odunikan

    BOARD MEMBER

    Ronald Adebola Odunikan, RN is an dedicated healthcare professional and community advocate. Recently obtained his BSN from Unitek College, he leverages his experiences as a former Community Engagement Volunteer Director and STEM educator to empower individuals and communities.

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    Labake Oladunjoye

    SECRETARY

    RMSN, CNL, PHN, RN. Registered nurse at Emanuel Medical Center and a business owner for over 25 years. She offers organizational and leadership expertise in clinical and administrative areas.

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    Nneka Chukwu

    FINANCIAL SECRETARY

    DNP-HCSL, MBA, NEA-BC, RN, CLNC Dr. Chukwu has over 20 years of experience in healthcare, including Maternal Child Health, Critical Care, Leadership, Academia, and Quality/Risk. Director of Women and Children’s Services at Emanuel MC and an Associate Prof. in the USF Graduate Nursing Program.

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    Linda Fagbote

    BOARD MEMBER

    MSN, RN. Lead Nurse Program Manager for the Los Angeles County Health Services. Adjunct Obstetrics Clinical Instructor for West Coast University.

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    Whitney Lieb

    BOARD MEMBER

    Dr. Lieb is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist with more than 10 years of experience in global health. She practices in Marin County, California and offers her expertise and global perspective.

Nigeria-based Staff

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    Priye Noel Kuete

    LEGAL CONSULTANT NIGERIA

    Priye is an RN with specialization in psychiatric nursing who works for the public health sector at Odo clinic in Akure. He also is a board-certified lawyer in Akure Nigeria.

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    Rufus Bamidele

    NIGERIA SITE COORDINATOR & INVENTORY SPECIALIST

    Mr. Bamidele oversees the construction and management of the Julayo Clinic site. He has been invaluable in coordinating the clinic renovation. He is an experienced contractor and farmer who owns and runs his own cocão business in Ondo State, Nigeria.

  • Tiwalade O. Adesuyi

    CLINICAL OPERATIONS AND TECHNICAL SPECIALIST

    Oluwatobiloba Tiwalade Adesuyi is a healthcare operations, service improvement and program support professional with >3 years of experience in institutional operations support. She is a PhD candidate and holds an M. Tech in Project Management. She brings structure, clarify and a strong sense of responsibility to complex environments. Her professional identity is rooted in creating value, improving operations and leaving every system better than she found it.

California-based Volunteer Staff

  • Kenneth Banting

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER US

    Kenneth Banting DPT, is a physical therapist and has worked in multiple healthcare settings. Ken is passionate for promoting access to medicine for underserved communities and has multiple years of experience managing non-profit organizations.

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    Atinuke Bandele

    TEAM MEMBER

    Atinuke helps with administrative organization and fundraising efforts. She keeps us all on point. She is volunteering with Julayo while she works in a clinical research lab and applies to medical school.

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    Kathyrn Mawhinney

    FUNDRAISING CONSULTANT

    Kathryn graduated from Emory University in 2025 with a degree in Human Health and Economics. She is currently a Master’s candidate at Harvard University in the School of Public Health. She brings a wealth of experience in healthcare administration and the non-profit sector to our team.

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  • Amelia Posadas Angeles

    SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

    Amelia is an undergraduate student at UC Irvine majoring in communications. Amelia is helping Julayo bolster their online presence via social media campaigns.

    IN

  • Saraia Driver

    MARKETING CONSULTANT

    Saraia  is an artist originally from Southern California who works in both digital and print media. She uses her eye for design and aesthetics to help consult on Julayo’s media and marketing campaigns.

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    Nick Kopooshian

    TEAM MEMBER

    Nick graduated from Drexel College of Medicine with in 2026. He is completing in Neurology Residency at UCLA. He has an interest in global health and community development. He works on the Julayo newsletter and helps out wherever he is needed.

  • Matteen Maroofian, MD

    TEAM MEMBER

    Dr. Maroofian is a surgical resident at Lennox Hill in New York City. He was instrumental in setting up Julayo in its first years. He spent time in Akure, Nigeria laying the groundwork for what is now the Julayo Clinic.

    IN

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    Esther Divinah Moyo

    TEAM MEMBER

    For the past 26 years, Divinah has been a Labor and Delivery nurse. She has received an MSN in Education and is pursuing a second MSN in Public Health. She plans to return to Africa and make an impact working with Julayo.