Founder of The Kairos Initiative, Magistrate for the UK Ministry of Justice & Author of ‘Surviving 0 to 5: #MumofGirls’

Ije McDougall is a British Nigerian author, charity founder and advocate for equality who has built a career spanning law, government, media and human resources. Currently serving as a Magistrate for the UK Ministry of Justice, she combines professional expertise with a passion for challenging injustice and championing minority voices. As the founder of The Kairos Initiative, a charity supporting victims of insurgency in Nigeria, Ije has extended her impact globally. Recognised with awards including Cheshire Woman of the Year 2023, she speaks on identity, impostor syndrome and inclusion, inspiring meaningful reflection and change.

Ije began her professional journey in Nigeria as a news correspondent and presenter for the Nigerian Television Authority, before moving into marketing as an officer at Awalah Hotel. After relocating to the UK, she joined the Department for Work and Pensions as a Benefits Delivery Officer, later progressing to roles at ACAS as an Employment Law and Early Conciliation Support Officer and then as an HR Case Manager for the Ministry of Justice. Her expertise in employment law and human resources deepened when she became a Civil Service employment law specialist and later an HR Expert Adviser for HM Revenue & Customs.

In 2012, she also broadened her portfolio by producing content for the BBC. Building on this extensive background, Ije founded The Kairos Initiative in 2019 to support victims of insurgency in North-East Nigeria. In 2021, she was appointed as a Magistrate for the Ministry of Justice, where she continues to advocate for fairness and equality in the legal system. Her contributions have been recognised nationally, including being shortlisted for a National Diversity Award in 2020. With a career spanning broadcasting, law, human resources and charity leadership, Ije exemplifies a professional dedicated to justice, equity and social progress.

Ije is the author of ‘Surviving 0 to 5: #MumofGirls’, a book that explores the realities of parenting and resilience. Alongside her authorship, she has contributed commentary and insights through national and international broadcasts, sharing perspectives on her journey from Nigeria to the UK and her mission to challenge inequality. Her voice has also been recognised by the Black Lives Matter movement, which featured one of her speeches on its platform, further amplifying her message on justice, identity and inclusion.

Why Hire Ije McDougall?

Audiences are drawn to Ije for her rare blend of lived experience, professional credibility, and heartfelt advocacy. Her on-stage presence is shaped by a career spanning broadcasting, legal practice, and HR—making her equally at home engaging with government, corporate, and community groups. As the founder of The Kairos Initiative, she offers real-world impact by supporting victims of insurgency in North-East Nigeria, while her position as a Magistrate with the UK Ministry of Justice gives her a voice in shaping fairness at the heart of the legal system.

She delivered a TEDx talk titled “Before You Look Away, Look Again”, a powerful invitation to confront and reshape assumptions about identity and perception. Her speaking portfolio includes engagements with respected institutions such as the NHS, the Bank of England Youth Forum, and HMPSS.

To book Ije to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.