Olufunke Okochi

Over the years, Olufunke has participated in various cultural programs and volunteered in diverse arts and culture-focused organizations. A lover of the arts and culture, she served as a committee member of Saskatchewan African Fashion Inc., the group responsible for organizing the annual African-inspired fashion shows in Saskatchewan, with an audience numbering about 250-300 each time. These events allowed people of every culture to showcase their fashion designs and inspirations with an African flavor. Designers and models were from different heritages, including Japanese, European, African, and more. The audience comprised of guests of several heritages, coming together to enjoy evenings that were celebrations of arts and culture.

Olufunke is also a member of the RCMP Division F Commanding Officer’s Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee (COCDAC), which is focused on helping to enhance relations and policing services between the RCMP and its diverse communities where it operates in Saskatchewan. She has also served as a member of arts performance groups that provide multicultural interpretations through dance, drama and other arts.

Currently, Olufunke is a board member of the Regina Open Door Society Inc., a non-profit organization that provides settlement and integration services to refugees and immigrants in Regina.

Through serving on various boards, Olufunke has had the opportunity to work with people of diverse backgrounds and appreciates the different perspectives everyone has to offer. She has successfully worked with these groups to plan and execute different organizational strategic directions, programs and activities for the benefit of their members and various publics. She will contribute her learnings from these opportunities to SaskCulture as well as towards enhancing the rich cultural experience of Saskatchewan residents.

Olufunke enjoys travelling, and has lived in different parts of the world – gaining experience working with diverse groups of people in formal and informal settings. Working on various boards and committees, she has also developed skills and knowledge in governance and ethics.

Olufunke is a Communications professional with several years’ experience in corporate communications, public relations and strategic relationship management in the public and private sectors. If privileged to serve on SaskCulture’s Board, she looks forward to contributing her experience to helping promote and enhance Saskatchewan’s cultural vibrancy. Throughout her career, she has developed and honed her ability to understand complex issues and communicate them in a manner that is easily assimilated by various audiences and that builds trust with the audiences. She holds academic qualifications in mass communication (BSc Honours), justice studies (MA) and public relations (Certificate). In her spare time, she enjoys reading and participating in dance, drama and other arts. She also enjoys traveling and discovering new places with her husband and visiting friends and family.