United Kingdom
Name: Irene Boham
Email: irene.boham@btinternet.com
Country: United Kingdom
Date of Birth: January 12, 1967
Education: RN, BSc, PGCert, PGDip, SCPHN (OH) AFHEA, QN, MA,
Occupation: Specialist Practitioner in Occupational Health
Please describe your vision of a world that works for everyone.
My vision of a world that works for everyone is one where systems, especially in healthcare, education, and social policy, are built on equity, compassion, and dignity. As a nurse, educator, and advocate for internationally educated professionals and underprivileged individuals, I have witnessed how structural barriers limit potential. I envision a world where every person, regardless of background, ability, or origin, has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.
In this world, leaders listen, communities co-create solutions, and care is prioritized over bureaucracy. Through the IIGL program, I hope to grow as a transformational leader equipped with global perspectives and practical tools. I will bring my lived experience, professional expertise, and deep commitment to service and in return, I will learn, collaborate, and help shape a future where inclusion, justice, and healing guide every decision.
What do you see as the most pressing problems facing the world today?
From my perspective as a healthcare professional, educator, and global advocate, some of the most pressing problems facing the world today include systemic inequality, limited access to quality healthcare and education, and the widespread marginalization of vulnerable populations, particularly migrants and those from underrepresented backgrounds. As someone who has worked on the frontlines of both clinical care and policy advocacy, I have seen how poverty, stigma, and institutional bias continue to harm communities and prevent individuals from reaching their full potential.
Additionally, mental health and emotional well-being, especially among young people and healthcare workers remain under-addressed. There is also a growing need for ethical, servant leadership to challenge unjust systems, inspire innovation, and foster sustainable development. I believe that by investing in inclusive leadership, culturally competent care, and equitable education, we can begin to dismantle these challenges and create a world where every voice is valued, and every life has the opportunity to thrive. Through the IIGL program, I hope to be part of this global movement for change.
How do you feel these problems could best be solved?
These pressing global problems can best be solved through inclusive, transformational leadership that prioritizes equity, compassion, and systemic change. From my experience as a nurse leader, educator, and advocate, I have seen how sustainable solutions emerge when we listen to communities, invest in education, and empower individuals, especially those who are often excluded, to lead the conversation.
Solving these issues requires interdisciplinary collaboration, culturally competent policies, and a strong focus on preventative care, mental health, and social justice. We must also nurture future leaders through mentorship and global learning platforms like IIGL, where diverse perspectives can converge to co-create solutions rooted in empathy and integrity. I believe true change begins when leadership is not about authority, but about service, accountability, and a commitment to healing both people and systems. I am committed to being part of that change and using my experience to help build a world that truly works for everyone.
Profile
I, Irene Boham am a dynamic, compassionate, and highly accomplished healthcare leader, educator, and advocate with over 3 decades of experience in healthcare, spanning advanced nursing practice, occupational health, policy advocacy and health development. With a deep commitment to equity, service, and empowerment, I have built a career grounded in servant leadership and the relentless pursuit of social justice, especially for marginalized, those with disabilities and internationally educated populations. Born and raised in Ghana, I began my career as a nurse before migrating to the United Kingdom, where I successfully navigated the challenges of requalification and integration as an internationally educated nurse (IEN). This personal journey not only deepened my resilience and leadership but also ignited a lifelong passion for advocating on behalf of other IENs facing systemic barriers to progression. My experience has fuelled efforts to change policies, mentor aspiring professionals, and develop inclusive support pathways within healthcare and education systems.
Currently practicing as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Specialist Community Public Health Nurse, I provide frontline care while also engaging in training, and strategic development. My clinical expertise spans occupational health, disease prevention, intensive care and emergency nursing. I am widely respected for her holistic informed approach to care and ability to inspire trust and transformation in individuals and communities alike.
I am also a gifted educator and has contributed significantly to the academic and professional development of student nurses, international recruits, and early-career health professionals. Beyond this, I serve as a mentor and advocate through several community and professional organizations. She is a voice for autistic and individuals with disabilities, driven in part by her experience as a mother to a young person with additional needs. My advocacy work is deeply personal, and uses a platform to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and demand inclusive practices in education and healthcare.
My leadership has been recognized nationally and internationally. I have won several awards, including Nurse of the Year and Advanced and Specialist Nurse of the Year at the Black Healthcare Awards. My contributions extend beyond the UK, as I actively engage in pan-African and diaspora-led initiatives, including GUBA (Grow, Unite, Build Africa), where I help shape messaging around neuro-diversity and inclusive development in African communities.
As a prospective participant in the International Institute for Global Leadership (IIGL) program, I am seeking to expand her global impact. I bring a wealth of practical experience, cultural humility, and a genuine desire to collaborate with a global network of change makers. My goals include deepening her understanding of transformational leadership, learning innovative strategies for systemic change, and co-developing community-driven solutions that address health inequities, educational barriers, and leadership gap.
I am a servant leader at heart, grounded in faith, driven by compassion, and committed to building bridges across cultures, disciplines, and generations. I believe that leadership is not about titles or status, but about listening deeply, acting justly, and empowering others to rise. Through IIGL, I hope to further embody this vision and contribute meaningfully to a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world.