Abiola Akinyibi is living proof that giving is more than dollars and cents, but rather providing direction and care.
Ms Akinyibi was of 24 women inducted into the 2025 Victorian Honour Roll of Women on Wednesday, September 3.
She said her proudest achievement has been founding and running Changepreneurs, a not-for-profit that helps mentor young girls and women from African and multicultural backgrounds to reach their full potential.
“Looking at all the young women from where they were the first time I met them to where they are now, is just a good feeling,” Ms Akinyibi said.
“As a migrant sometimes it can be very difficult to find a career path without guidance, so I want to be able to use some of my skills to help people, particularly from lived experience because I came to this country about 23 years ago and in that period have been in different roles.
“The majority of the time philanthropy is not about having money, it is about social capital.”
Ms Akinyibi said gatekeeping your knowledge is never the way to help others.
“Good social cohesion is when everyone is thriving and has a sense of belonging. Success without a succession plan is a failure.
“You can’t be what you can’t see.”
She said the honour itself was nice, but the recognition of what her community was achieving was the true reward.
“When I look at the calibre of the women that are inducted, it is just a good feeling that we are paving way for other women in the community.”
