Since joining the American Board of Surgery (ABS), Okafor has completely transformed the legal department by building out her team, modernizing legal infrastructure with innovative solutions, and memorializing processes. Moreover, she has developed the general counsel role into a more strategic, advisory role in order to provide practical business-oriented advise to her internal corporate clients. Through meaningful and uncomfortable conversations, Okafor believes that health care providers can become more culturally competent, emotionally intelligent, and critical thinking, which in turn will lead to improved patient care and outcomes.

In addition to serving as GC, she also serves as ABS’ inaugural chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer (CDEIO). She has implemented many high-impact initiatives such as a DEI newsletter that informs staff about upcoming programming and a DEI resource club where employees explore diversity resources (e.g., articles, TedTalks, documentaries) and safely share their insights.