NICOLE JOHNSEN, FOUNDER & CHEIF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Nicole is the Founder and Executive Director of ECC. After volunteering at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for one month in Ghana, Nicole met the parents of several disabled children who were frustrated with their child’s situation, the social and cultural stigma associated with their child’s disability, and their inability to make a change. Nicole spent countless hours interviewing parents, taking pictures of the children, recording each child’s story, and meeting with hospital officials in pursuit of creating this Foundation. Upon returning to the US, Nicole utilized her 6 years of graphic design experience to create our website, campaign platform, and company logos from the ground up. Nicole is in charge of coordinating fundraisers, managing campaign activity, and ensuring that financial quotas are met. She also manages ECC's marketing campaigns as well as our website and online platforms.

Before founding ECC, she was the sole founder and manager of the afterschool dance program “Let’s Dance”, that provided children in inner-city schools with a cost-free and easily assessable form of exercise. Nicole is now a Student Mental Health Ambassador for THRIVE at Wake Forest University, and has helped develop innovate mental health outreach programs for the WFU community. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and minoring in Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise at Wake Forest University.

RICHARD MENSAH, GENERAL MANAGER

Richard, a practicing physical therapist at Cape Coast Central Regional Hospital, is the General Manager at ECC. Richard is responsible for creating a positive and optimistic change in the way the parents of challenged children see physical therapy. Richard relays the importance of integrating physical therapy into each child’s daily routine, encourages the parents to bring their children to the clinic for weekly visits (while continuing daily home exercises), and also assists in the clinical aspects of physical therapy.

Richard studied at Physiotherapy and Othortic Training School where he earned his DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree), and has also supplemented his degree by completing an evidence based physiotherapy course that focuses on the chemistry, biology, and physics behind physical therapy.

DR. ALBERT ACQUAH, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Albert Acquah, is the Assistant Director at ECC. He helps plan programs and education initiatives, and assists the Financial Coordinator in drafting budgets.

Albert Acquah earned his PhD in Physiotherapy at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Dr. Acquah is also the current Head of the Physical Therapy Department at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.

LINS BARWICK, FINANCIAL COORDINATOR

Lins, our Financial Coordinator at ECC, brings years of financial planning and fundraising expertise to our Foundation. He focuses on the management and delegation of our funds, while recording and reviewing all monetary transactions. Lins also manages the social media presence of ECC and notifies donors of any updates about the Foundation.

Lins has years of financial experience associated with pediatric disability in Ghana. In 2016, he founded the Angel Komenda Fund, a largely personal and very profitable fundraiser that raised money for Angel Komenda, a child who is now represented by ECC. He is currently pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience at Wake Forest University.