We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Lola Adedokun, a valued board member of Integrate Health, a true champion of justice, and a dear colleague and friend. Lola served as the Executive Director of the Aspen Global Innovators Group at the Aspen Institute and Co-Chair of the Aspen Institute Forum on Women and Girls. Her passion for creating a more equitable world brought invaluable insights that guided our organization for many years. We first came to know Lola as an advocate for global to local knowledge sharing. She was a champion of our work to leverage insights from Community Health Workers in Togo to drive the design and development of a Community Health Worker program in the Bronx, NY. Recently, Lola was supporting Integrate Health and our partners at Last Mile Health, in the development of our shared Framework for Action to center the lived experience and needs of women Community Health Workers. Through her leadership, Lola helped us envision a future where women community health workers, often the backbone of local health efforts, have fair working conditions and a respected voice in health policy. Her dedication to this mission reflected her belief that strong, resilient health systems start with empowered women and communities.
Lola was more than a board member; she was a force of inspiration, known for her steadfast commitment to amplifying voices often unheard. Her presence energized our team and emboldened our purpose, reminding us of the responsibility we share in building sustainable, community-led health solutions. Lola’s guidance shaped how we approach the challenges of global health, always encouraging us to center our work on justice and equality. Her broad smile reminded us to continually find joy despite the challenges we face.
Her passing leaves a profound gap, but her spirit remains a powerful reminder of why we do this work. As we carry on, we honor her legacy by continuing to advocate for the communities she cared for so deeply. Our thoughts are with Lola’s family, and we remain committed to advancing her vision for a just and equitable world. Lola, your legacy lives on in each of us and in every step we take together toward a healthier, fairer future.