Empowerment, Innovation, and Leadership in the Digital Age

Interviewer: Ndidi Nichola Okoro

Date: June 16, 2025

Guest: Joan Anuoluwa Ologundudu – Behavioral Scientist, Leadership Coach, Counselor, AI Expert, and Founder of Lifesaver Intervention Initiative, Elmaf, Earn-Powered, and 7DSmart Plug.

Interview Questions

Personal Background & Vision

You describe yourself as a "perspective engineer" — can you break down what that means to you, and how it shapes your approach to leadership and coaching?

In simple terms, I help people see things from different perspective. My work all ties up

To my ability to help people see things from a different perspective. I engineer their perspective to see things as they are truly are, not the facade.

What life experiences or turning points led you to become a Behavioral Scientist and eventually start Lifesaver Intervention Initiative?

I was simply on a journey to discovering why I was even born in the first place. I just wanted to know what my existence can do in the grand scheme of things. Being a student in my final year in 2014, I started going to secondary schools, driving awareness that every human being is full of potentials that can make the world a better place. I created a catch phrase I taught every student in all the schools I have been  to, ',You are the solution the world needs". 

You do a lot—coach, counsel, build tech, lead initiatives. What’s the underlying mission that connects all your work? 

I'm multi talented and intend to use all of it to serve humanity. I want to look back at my youth when I'm 80 and be fulfilled, knowing that I did everything I could with every gift and talent I have to make a difference in the life of people who come across me or any one of my expressions. That vision drives me.

Leadership & Lifesaver Intervention Initiative

Lifesaver Initiative has reached over 5,000 people across multiple Nigerian states. What has been your proudest moment so far with this project?

My proudest moments is when I'm walking across the street and a student echoes back the catch phrase I taught them, "I am the solution the world needs". This happened a lot when I was in ibadan, Oyo state.

What major leadership gap do you see among young Africans, and how is Lifesaver specifically addressing that?

The major leadership gap I see is that many people go into leadership for the wrong reasons. Most people are often attracted by the glamour of holding a position rather than a desire to serve and Lead tangible positive change in what they lead.

These days, everyone claims to be “empowering the disadvantaged,” but many seem more interested in donor funds than real impact. In your view, what does it truly mean to empower people?

I'm a living example that you don't need donor funds to help anyone. I have not paid myself a salary once in the last 11 years of operating lifesaver. Neither have we gotten a lot of donations or fundings. However, we have tried to make impact with what was available to us. I often advise people to start whatever they want to do with what they have and do what their current means can carry. In due time, funds may come. Time often reveals authenticity. People who are in for the wrong reasons don't last long. Impacting people is the ability to make a difference, to do something that counts and matters for people without necessarily expecting anything in return. But I know that everything we do is seed, in due time, there will be an harvest. The harvest is often not from the places or people we sow to but they will come eventually. 

How do you measure impact and success in your leadership coaching programs?

Every participant must embark on an 'impact project ' . This is compulsory for the certificates to be issued. This way, we measure the impact of what we have taught and what the applicant goes on to do with it to some extent.

What challenges have you faced scaling across diverse Nigerian states, and how did you overcome them?

Major challenge is having faithful people. Only very few people are committed to a selfless course. For most people, they are looking for profit than they are trying to make impact. In the non profit space, making impact must be the driving force, not profit. 

Family Life, Counseling, and Relationship Intelligence

As a certified marriage coach and founder of Elmaf, what inspired you to merge tech with family life?

I have always loved family life because I didn't grow up with great family life examples. I also loved tech. I got several tech certifications. As I journeyed further with the seemingly misaligned  career path, I found that there was no family life tech. There was fintech, agritech, health tech, edu tech, HR tech, etc but no family life tech so I poineered it and created the company and began to create tech solutions for people in family life practice, the first being our web app, Elmaf.co. We have gone on to include AI services too for our clients.

What are some common relationship myths you often have to debunk while working with Christian Singles Community?

There are lots of them but a recurring one is unrealistic expectations about marriage. The marriage we watch in movies is not how marriages play out in real life. Many people enter into marriage unprepared. They don't take premarital classes, don't get a personal coach or counselor. These things are detrimental in the long haul. Unrealistic expectations is the fuel behind most divorce cases. 

How do you balance cultural expectations with psychological principles in your family life counseling?

I always choose what I consider to be right and valuable. 

Can you share a breakthrough moment you had with a client or community member that deeply affirmed your mission?

I believe in the power of an individual. So I cherish every individual client I have had to serve and will eventually serve. 

Technology, Youth & the Future

You're pioneering the use of AI in emotional wellness—can you explain how AI can support mental and emotional health?

AI in itself can't support emotional wellness. It can only be used as a tool. That is what we do. We make it a tool for different use cases. 

Your Earn-Powered initiative offers free AI training. What motivated you to make these resources available for free?

It was a tough decision. I was doing it for profit in my family life tech business but as I prayed to God for what next to do, I had a clear impression in my spirit to teach it free in my non profit. It doesn't make business sense but I believe that is the way God will have me make a difference in the lives of people this season. By the time I was reviewing applications, I was glad I obeyed. The words of some of the applicants was truly encouraging and I saw that they valued what we were doing. That gave me more fuel and drive . And now, we are preparing for the next cohort. 

What are some specific AI tools or systems you’ve helped individuals or organizations implement effectively?

AI chatbots and AI agents 

How do you foresee AI transforming coaching and counseling in the next 5–10 years?

It will definitely be a great tool soon enough. Many are still catching up with it but it's just a matter of time. 

Young people are the future of this country. With AI tools and social media becoming so dominant, how can we ensure they become a blessing—and not a curse—for the next generation?

The solution lies heavily on training, nurturing and upbringing.

Global Reach & Cross-Cultural Engagement

Your initiatives span Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, the UK, and Canada. How do you tailor your coaching to fit different cultural and generational audiences?

Principles are universal. So I don't particularly tailor what I do to specific countries. I just teach and apply principles and every one can relate to it. 

What trends or common challenges have you observed across these regions in terms of personal development and purpose-driven leadership?

Every right thinking person wants actualization. We help people achieve it.

With the wars in different countries today, from Sudan to Gaza to Ukraine, what role can each of us play—no matter how small—to help quell the violence and foster peace in our own spheres of influence?

We need to refrain from spreading hate and give only objective takes on the issues. 

Faith & Philosophy

How does your Christian faith influence your work as a coach and behavioral scientist?

My work is heavily influenced by my faith and Christian values. In fact, it was in the place of prayer, I identified the family life tech gap. And literally everything I have done till date, is because I believe it was what God will have me do. 

How do you maintain balance between your faith-based work and your tech/data-driven innovations?

I continue to grow in my walk with God. I ensure that the doctrines of the Bible, the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is summed up in love, guides my practices. 

In a hyper-connected world, we often see people growing more emotionally distant. Why do you think we treat one another today as if we don’t truly need each other? What can reverse that?

Over the years, hyper societies are less communal and more individualist. This has been the recurring situation over several decades. The only way to manage it is to be the change we want to see. If you want more friends, be friendly yourself. Ifyou want more interactions, be the one to initiate a conversation, if you want more love, extend love to others etc Just be the change you want to see. 

Writing & Communication

You've written multiple books. What topics do you focus on, and which book would you recommend as a starting point for someone new to your work?

The very first book I wrote, was on dealing with envy in the 21st century. That will also be the first book I'd recommend. That is because the average person is envious or jealous of someone. This is heavily hinged on the culture of comparison which is a predominant culture in Nigeria. This was mostly passed on by parents who often compares their children 's performances. They didn't know the impact of what they were doing then. The average person is either in an overt or covert competition with someone. It should not be so. That book will help people deal with those deep seated ils in their soul. 

Do your writing and coaching influence each other? How do you decide which insights to put into books versus live sessions?

I simply share principles. Whether I'm writing or having a live session, my expressions are heavily hinged on principles. 

Legacy & Leadership

As someone who’s been Director of People and Culture for the UN SDSN Nigerian network and won SDG awards, what kind of legacy are you hoping to leave behind?

Only the people I worked with may be able to give an accurate answer to this. On my own end, I hope I'm remembered as someone who made a difference when I was there. 

What advice would you give to young women who aspire to lead in both tech and social development spaces?

My number one advice is for the person to have their conviction fully grounded. There will be many grounds for discouragement and even the temptation to give up. Your conviction must be strong enough to pull you through tough times. 

Quick-Fire (Light, Personal) Questions

What’s a daily habit that keeps you grounded?

I learn something new every day. I take at least one course per year. 

Who is one person—dead or alive—you’d love to have a conversation with, and why?

David in the Bible, I can relate with his life's journey...

Coffee, tea, or none? None, lols. I love ice cream instead

What’s one quote or phrase that you live by? 

I live by many. But there's a specific one that has been sitting on my status for years, it's " ignorance is your greatest hinderance, inaction is it's child.