Alum Ajirioghene Evi is a familiar face to some members of the Renison community, having completed her Social Development Studies (SDS) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degrees on our small campus. Most recently, she took on the role of CEO at the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW), and she has been the recipient of the Renison Distinguished Alumni Award (2024) and the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025) for her work in the community. It’s not a stretch to say that Ajirioghene is amazing – her achievements speak for themselves.
Ajirioghene migrated from Nigeria as an adult, planning to study Law and Society at York University in Toronto. It wasn’t the right fit; she felt a bit lost in the big city of Toronto and, more importantly, she wanted to focus her energy on equity work to benefit those on the margins of society. Ajirioghene soon found a fit in Renison’s SDS program, which was recommended as a way to explore a few subjects (SDS is an interdisciplinary program with elements of Social Work, Sociology, and Psychology).
In short, she loved it. Ajirioghene worked part time in the library and found the wrap-around support she sought, especially as a mature student. She also appreciated the diversity of the Renison campus – both in the student population and in the ways of teaching, learning, and engaging. After completing her SDS and BSW degrees, Ajirioghene moved on to Western for a Master of Social Work (MSW), and began working in the community. Her recent appointment as CEO of OASW also involved her transition from micro/family level service to macro/community level service as an advocate for Social Workers across the province.
“It’s been a beautiful transition,” Ajirioghene says with a smile. “I’ve had opportunities to connect with people at various levels and my impact is much larger. Rather than one client, I have 10,000 clients supporting people across the province.” One of her responsibilities is to consult with Social Workers to inform policies and best practices, connecting with the Canadian body of Social Workers, as well as the benefit the federation gets from its connection to the International Federation of Social Workers. She’s also in consultation with Ontario Ministers and says she benefits from hearing multiple perspectives. “Many people I talk to have been affected by social work,” she says. “As a Social Worker myself, I can give them more information and humanize the profession.”
One of Ajirioghene’s goals is to connect with high school students to help challenge some of the assumptions and misconceptions about Social Work. “You can do so much with Social Work!” Ajirioghene explains, “We have skills that allow us to understand some of the complexities of individuals and groups – and we can adapt to changing environments. It’s a really great, and open career path.”
Though her work may be a bit different than her past work in child welfare, Ajiorioghene still maintains a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) which, in her words, “needs to be part of the DNA of any organization.” Ajirioghene says DEI should be woven into the fabric of an organization, to ensure that inclusive practices are not dependent on the lens of individuals. “People weave in and out of an organization, and they have different perspectives,” she explains. “DEI is essential for us to make sustainable, meaningful, change. It needs to be written down and accompanied by accountability and action.”
Ajirioghene Evi (centre) received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2024, presented by then-President Wendy L. Fletcher (right).
In Social Work, DEI work is particularly relevant. Social Workers are incredible advocates, but if there are systemic barriers in the way, an issue becomes more complex and must be addressed differently. And that, as they say, takes a proverbial village. “It’s not the work of one person, it needs to be collective,” Ajirioghene says. “You can only include the number of hands and hearts in your work as you have at the table.”
For students considering a career in Social Work, Ajirioghene emphasizes the commitment to lifelong learning to adapt to changing needs of the community. She says there is an artistry to the field, where one person can take the tools learned and craft their own distinct style of practice. These were skills she learned at Renison, which she says laid the foundation for her work. “Imagine, an immigrant that studied Social Work becoming the CEO of the Ontario Association of Social Workers,” Ajirioghene muses. “It could only be Renison. I did a lot of learning, unlearning, re-learning, and asked so many questions. It transformed my worldview and was the foundation for me to propel myself through this beautiful profession.”
Ajirioghene Evi received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition for her community service. The award was presented by Chris Cowee, a friend and mentor to Ajirioghene.
2025 Renison Reports
This is part of the 2025 Renison Reports publication. Return to the Renison Reports page for other articles.