Dr Tessy Ojo CBE

As the Chief Executive of The Diana Award – the only charity that bears the name of Diana, Princess of Wales; Tessy has spearheaded revolutionary programs empowering youth globally, earning industry accolades and a CBE for her unwavering dedication.

Tessy has had the honour of working with Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Sussex for over 24 years, who both continue to support the Charity. She maintains a close relationship with them and was privileged to be a Chapel guest at their weddings.

With a background in STEM and an MBA, she seamlessly blends business acumen with social justice, redefining outcomes for marginalised communities. Tessy’s strategic leadership has propelled organisations to new heights, evidenced by her pivotal role in growing The Diana Award’s income by 400% and expanding its global footprint.

A champion for diversity and inclusion, she leverages her expertise in ESG to unlock untapped talent, ensuring everyone can thrive. Recognised internationally for her innovative approach, Tessy continues to shape the narrative around youth development, women in leadership, equity, and social impact. Join her in driving positive change and building a brighter future for generations to come. Tessy is also the Founder of Tessy’s Brunches; a mentoring forum for female self-improvement.

In 2020, Tessy was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours with a CBE – Commander of The British Empire for her services to children and young people.

Always passionate about making a difference, Tessy holds various influential positions such a non-executive director at Comic Relief, IWILL Board (a partnership between National Lottery and DCMS), The BBC’s Appeals Advisory Committee, the UK Council for Child Internet Safety, and the Royal Cyberbullying Taskforce, where she focuses on social justice and social equity. Her dedication to fostering social change extends beyond her professional commitments. She is actively involved in campaigns and philanthropic endeavours, demonstrating her passion for creating a positive impact. In 2017, she set up the first All Party Parliamentary Group on Mentoring to advocate for careers mentoring to be part of the Government’s plans for youth engagement and youth social action.

Tessy has promoted change in the access to, and quality of, mental health support for young people from all racialised communities, advocating for a redesigned mental health support service that is fit for purpose and culturally competent. She has also led the call for mandatory anti-racist bullying training in England, as it is now mandatory in Wales, to ensure parity across the UK. Her innovative approach to youth leadership and driving systemic change has been recognised internationally, resulting in Tessy becoming the very first British National to be honoured with The Prestigious Martin Luther King Award in Atlanta, in recognition of her innovative approach to leadership and humanitarian work.

Tessy’s success and dedication are inspirational. Her multifaceted contributions to various boards and her work at The Diana Awards highlight her tireless efforts in driving positive change and promoting diversity and inclusion, alongside her professional achievements. She is a sought-after speaker and TV commentator who regularly comments on issues around young people, youth culture and insight as well as diversity and inclusion.