Dolapo Oyesiji

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT DOLAPO OYESIJI

Dolapo Oyesiji is a strategy and partnerships leader with over a decade of experience building programs, securing institutional partnerships, and delivering results in complex, multi-stakeholder environments across Nigeria and Canada. At the DAWN Commission in Nigeria, Dolapo co-built a research unit from scratch, grew external partnerships, and produced policy briefs that shaped regional security strategy across South-Western Nigeria. That work required navigating competing interests between government officials, NGOs, traditional leaders, and community organizations. At CMFI Community, one of Newfoundland and Labrador\'s largest faith communities, Dolapo serves on the programming team delivering the R4 Conference, an annual gathering that draws attendees and is one of the biggest events of its kind in the province. In 2024 he founded BracedMind Inc, an emotional support platform for people who need more than a hotline but aren\'t ready or able to see a therapist. BracedMind connects people with trained human listeners, filling a gap that crisis services and formal therapy both leave open. It secured a innovation grant, completed the Genesis Evolution Accelerator, and is building toward full launch. In 2025 he co-founded NewfoundHands Inc, a nonprofit building Newfoundland and Labrador\'s skilled trades accelerator for immigrants. NewfoundHands has secured partnerships with regional training institutions, settlement organizations, and immigrant groups. Dolapo holds three degrees, a BSc and MSc in Sociology from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, and a Master of Marine Studies in Public Safety from Memorial University, completed with distinction. His master\'s thesis examined the effectiveness of prison needle exchange programs in North America through a systematic review. He also holds a MiniMBA from Tekedia Institute in Boston. He is a Fry Family Foundation Entrepreneurship Award winner, an Entrepreneurship Empowerment Day Competition winner, a Genesis Accelerator graduate, a board member at Community Impact Builders, and a two-time semifinalist at the Memorial University Mel Woodward Cup.Dolapo identifies a gap, builds the infrastructure to close it, and brings the right people to the table to make it sustainable. That\'s the work he\'s done in policy research, community programming, and now in two ventures he\'s building from the ground up. He\'s looking to bring that same approach to a senior leadership role in an organization where the problems are real and the stakes are high.