Board of Governors
Governing CAWADAC with passion, purpose and vision — a diverse group of professionals from Nigeria, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Board of Governors
The governing leadership guiding CAWADAC's strategy, mission and growth.
Paul Ugbede
President
Founder and President of CAWADAC, Paul provides the vision and creative leadership that shapes the organization. A playwright, cultural curator and storyteller, he guides the board in advancing CAWADAC's mission to celebrate African stories and nurture emerging voices.
Adewumi Olusola John
Vice President
As Vice President, Adewumi partners closely with the President to steer strategy and support day-to-day governance. He helps champion CAWADAC's programs and steps in to provide continuity of leadership across the board's initiatives.
Uche Christian Unogu
Secretary
Uche serves as Secretary, safeguarding the board's records, minutes and governance documentation. He ensures the organization's decisions are well documented and that CAWADAC operates with transparency and accountability.
John A. Adekunle
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, John oversees CAWADAC's financial strategy, budgeting and fiscal planning. He works to ensure the organization's resources are managed responsibly in service of its cultural and educational mission.
Mary Titi Omale
Treasurer
As Treasurer, Mary manages CAWADAC's funds and financial records, supporting accurate reporting and sound stewardship of the organization's resources so its programs can flourish.
Abigail Ojochegbe Omada
Director of Communication and Marketing
Abigail leads CAWADAC's communications and marketing, shaping the organization's brand and public voice. She drives outreach and engagement that connect CAWADAC's programs with audiences and communities.
Maureen Enemona Ochai
Director of Human Resources
As Director of Human Resources, Maureen nurtures CAWADAC's people — its staff, volunteers and collaborators. She fosters an inclusive, values-driven culture that reflects the spirit of the organization.
Paul Ugbede
Playwright · Cultural Curator · Storyteller · Founder & Executive Director, CAWADAC
Paul Ugbede is a playwright, cultural curator, storyteller and the founder and executive director of CAWADAC. Born in Nigeria, he emigrated first to the United Kingdom and then to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he arrived in 2024.
His creative and cultural work is driven by a single conviction: that African stories — in all their richness, complexity and diversity — belong at the heart of global artistic conversation. Through CAWADAC, he has built a platform that connects African creatives with international communities through theatre, literature, film, education and cultural exchange.
Major Works & Initiatives
- Onoja Oboni the Musical — premiering October 31, 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria
- The Indy-Africa Book & Film Festival — Indiana's first dedicated celebration of African literature and cinema
- The Students Wright Festival — U.S.–Nigeria Creative Exchange Initiative
- Ọgbaniko: Stories from Home — a community storytelling program for immigrants
Advisory Collaborators
Andrew Black
Award-Winning Playwright · Indiana, USA
One of Indiana's most celebrated working playwrights. Serves as Chair of the judging panel for the High School Performance Lab and as a visiting workshop facilitator for the Students Wright Festival, where he travels to Nigeria to work directly with student playwrights. Leads the centerpiece Playwriting Masterclass at HSPL.
Dr. Akin Adesokan
Associate Professor of Comparative Literature · Indiana University Bloomington
A distinguished scholar of African literature, oral tradition and cinema. Delivers the keynote scholarly address at the High School Performance Lab — connecting the deep tradition of African oral storytelling to the contemporary practice of dramatic writing.
Dr. Ana Cándida Carneiro
Head of MFA Playwriting Program · IU Bloomington
Head of the MFA Playwriting Program at Indiana University Bloomington's Department of Theatre, Drama & Contemporary Dance. Leads the dramaturgy and dramatic criticism session at HSPL and travels to Nigeria as an international workshop facilitator for the Students Wright Festival.