Meet Our Mentors
Dr Edith Botchway-Commey (Founder)
Dr. Edith Nardu Botchway, the Founder of ZEST Circles, is a Neuropsychology researcher whose work centers on mental health, sleep, and quality of life in children and youth with neurological conditions. She is passionate about research, service, leadership, personal growth, and community transformation through mentorship.
Her own life is a testament to the profound impact of mentorship. Having benefitted from both formal and informal mentors throughout her academic and professional journey, Edith has come to deeply appreciate its power in shaping lives, especially those of young people.
Over the past eight years, she has informally mentored numerous students at the PhD, master’s, and bachelor’s levels across Ghana, Australia, and the UK. Drawing on her personal journey and rich mentorship experience, Edith is committed to making ZEST Circles a dynamic and transformative platform that empowers young leaders to thrive and create lasting impact
Meet Our Team
Mr Maclean Commey (Mentor)
- Dr Clement Sefa-Nyarko
- Dr Afua Owusu-Kwarteng
- Mrs Joana Osei-Tutu
- Dr Richard Fosu
- Dr Gideon Boadu
- Mr Kwabena Adjei Acheampong
- Mr Emmanual Adomako Brenyah
- Mrs Joana Osei-Tutu
Meet our peer moderators & volunteers
- Joyce
- Daniel
- Benjamine
- Check out our mentee connect sessions
Dr Edith Nardu Botchway-Commey - ZEST Circles Founder & Neuropsychology Researcher (Australia)
Edith’s own life is a testament to the profound impact of mentorship. Having benefitted from both formal and informal mentors throughout her academic and professional journey, She has come to deeply appreciate its power in shaping lives, especially those of young people.
Over the past eight years, she has informally mentored numerous students at the PhD, master’s, and bachelor’s levels across Ghana, Australia, and the UK. Drawing on her personal journey and rich mentorship experience, Edith is committed to making ZEST Circles a dynamic and transformative platform that empowers young leaders to thrive and create lasting impact.
Mr Maclean Commey - Geospatial Expert, Consultant, & ZEST Circles Co-Founder
Maclean’s story is one of maps and meaning. Starting with a Bachelor’s in Geography and Resource Development in Ghana, he quickly discovered that data could tell powerful stories about people and places. His journey took him to Germany for a Master’s in Geomatics, then into high-impact consulting—from Liberia’s transport corridors to Australia’s public sector where he now leads in spatial technology and IT innovation. Along the way, he championed youth through AIESEC and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, earning a Gold Standard and later mentoring others. As a co-founder of ZEST Circles, Maclean understands the grit it takes to cross borders, master new tools, and stay grounded in service. He’s a trusted voice for mentees in tech, engineering, data, or anyone learning to navigate uncharted territory literally and figuratively.
Alongside her research, Edith has applied her expertise within Mind Australia, leading projects that promote culturally responsive and person-centred care for diverse communities.
A proud IMNIS alumna and mentor, she thrives on helping others navigate the intersections of science, leadership, and purpose.
Now, as the visionary Founder of ZEST Circles, Edith is driven by a belief that leadership begins with empathy and the need to nurture a new generation of transformational leaders who are not only high-achieving but heart-centred equipped to excel in their fields while lifting others along the way. For mentees seeking to lead with integrity, purpose, and wisdom, Dr. Botchway-Commey doesn’t just offer mentorship she offers a compass.
Dr Gideon Boadu — Educationist (Australia)
Gideon’s story reads like the journey of a teacher who kept asking “how can this be better?” beginning in classroom practice, moving into curriculum design and then into teacher education and research. Over the years he has blended on-the-ground teaching experience with research-led approaches to inclusive pedagogy, helping schools and educators translate ideas into better learning experiences. Gideon mentors with a calm pragmatism born of classroom nights, lesson re-writes and then academic deadlines ideal for mentees who want practical classroom-ready skills, research pathways or a steady coach on career transitions in education and learning technology.
Alongside her research, Edith has applied her expertise within Mind Australia, leading projects that promote culturally responsive and person-centred care for diverse communities.
A proud IMNIS alumna and mentor, she thrives on helping others navigate the intersections of science, leadership, and purpose.
Now, as the visionary Founder of ZEST Circles, Edith is driven by a belief that leadership begins with empathy and the need to nurture a new generation of transformational leaders who are not only high-achieving but heart-centred equipped to excel in their fields while lifting others along the way. For mentees seeking to lead with integrity, purpose, and wisdom, Dr. Botchway-Commey doesn’t just offer mentorship she offers a compass.
Mr Kwabena Adjei Acheampong — Physiotherapist & PhD Candidate (UK)
Kwabena’s pathway is the kind of blended professional journey that turns clinical care into evidence: starting with hands-on physiotherapy work, moving into advanced practice and then into doctoral research. That clinical-to-research bridge means he understands patient care, the frustrations of clinical constraints, and the patience required to run a study that actually improves outcomes. As a mentor he’s well placed to advise on clinical career progression, research, or the courage to ask “what’s next”, juggling practice and study, and translating academic research into real-world health improvements.
Alongside her research, Edith has applied her expertise within Mind Australia, leading projects that promote culturally responsive and person-centred care for diverse communities.
A proud IMNIS alumna and mentor, she thrives on helping others navigate the intersections of science, leadership, and purpose.
Now, as the visionary Founder of ZEST Circles, Edith is driven by a belief that leadership begins with empathy and the need to nurture a new generation of transformational leaders who are not only high-achieving but heart-centred equipped to excel in their fields while lifting others along the way. For mentees seeking to lead with integrity, purpose, and wisdom, Dr. Botchway-Commey doesn’t just offer mentorship she offers a compass.
Assistant Prof Afua Owusu-Kwarteng — Entrepreneurship & Management (UK)
Afua’s career is a clear story of curiosity turned into impact: early interests in business and social change evolved into academic research on entrepreneurship, university-industry partnerships and gendered pathways to innovation. From student/early-career researcher to assistant professor, she’s combined field projects and publications with mentoring and programme work that supports women innovators and new venture founders. Having carved out a space in UK academia where she empowers future leaders to think boldly and act ethically. Afua brings a mentee’s empathy and a scholar’s rigour excellent for aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers aiming to work with industry, or anyone navigating academia and impact-driven practice.
Alongside her research, Edith has applied her expertise within Mind Australia, leading projects that promote culturally responsive and person-centred care for diverse communities.
A proud IMNIS alumna and mentor, she thrives on helping others navigate the intersections of science, leadership, and purpose.
Now, as the visionary Founder of ZEST Circles, Edith is driven by a belief that leadership begins with empathy and the need to nurture a new generation of transformational leaders who are not only high-achieving but heart-centred equipped to excel in their fields while lifting others along the way. For mentees seeking to lead with integrity, purpose, and wisdom, Dr. Botchway-Commey doesn’t just offer mentorship she offers a compass.
Mrs Joana Ama Osei-Tutu — Political Scientist & PhD Candidate (Australia)
Joana’s intellectual journey began with a simple but powerful question: How can societies be more just? Her journey has been rooted in community and gender work, she progressed into research and leadership roles in peace and security combining fieldwork, training and policy engagement. Her experience mentoring and designing programmes for women’s participation in peace processes gives her a rare mix of advocacy, academic rigour and practical facilitation. Now deep in doctoral research in Australia, she brings a global lens to regional challenges, shaped by her Ghanaian heritage and international perspective. Mentees benefit from her clear guidance on turning academic interests into community impact, preparing for research careers, and working at the intersection of gender, policy and civil society.
Alongside her research, Edith has applied her expertise within Mind Australia, leading projects that promote culturally responsive and person-centred care for diverse communities.
A proud IMNIS alumna and mentor, she thrives on helping others navigate the intersections of science, leadership, and purpose.
Now, as the visionary Founder of ZEST Circles, Edith is driven by a belief that leadership begins with empathy and the need to nurture a new generation of transformational leaders who are not only high-achieving but heart-centred equipped to excel in their fields while lifting others along the way. For mentees seeking to lead with integrity, purpose, and wisdom, Dr. Botchway-Commey doesn’t just offer mentorship she offers a compass.
Dr Clement Sefa-Nyarko — Political Scientist (UK)
Dr. Sefa-Nyarko’s career is built on asking hard questions about power, governance, and equity. From field work and project design in Ghana and Australia where he studied security, governance and resource transitions. He has built a practice of turning detailed research into policy conversations and project designs. He is establishing himself as a respected scholar in the UK, his journey reflects deep intellectual discipline and a commitment to truth. He knows what it means to find your voice in unfamiliar spaces and to use knowledge as a tool for change. As a mentor he offers a clear-headed perspective on doing rigorous research that has social and policy traction, navigating early-career academic life, and designing projects that influence decision-makers.
Alongside her research, Edith has applied her expertise within Mind Australia, leading projects that promote culturally responsive and person-centred care for diverse communities.
A proud IMNIS alumna and mentor, she thrives on helping others navigate the intersections of science, leadership, and purpose.
Now, as the visionary Founder of ZEST Circles, Edith is driven by a belief that leadership begins with empathy and the need to nurture a new generation of transformational leaders who are not only high-achieving but heart-centred equipped to excel in their fields while lifting others along the way. For mentees seeking to lead with integrity, purpose, and wisdom, Dr. Botchway-Commey doesn’t just offer mentorship she offers a compass.
Dr Richard Fosu — Lecturer & Researcher in International Relations (Australia)
Dr. Fosu’s path is one of global citizenship rooted in local values. As a scholar of international relations in Australia, he explores how nations connect, conflict, and collaborate always with an eye toward justice and development. His academic journey from Ghana to Japan and then currently Australia the global academy mirrors the very dynamics he studies: adaptation, dialogue, and bridge-building. Mentees will find him especially helpful for navigating academic life, designing research that serves communities, navigating cross-cultural identities, international careers, or the delicate art of leading with empathy in a divided world.
Alongside her research, Edith has applied her expertise within Mind Australia, leading projects that promote culturally responsive and person-centred care for diverse communities.
A proud IMNIS alumna and mentor, she thrives on helping others navigate the intersections of science, leadership, and purpose.
Now, as the visionary Founder of ZEST Circles, Edith is driven by a belief that leadership begins with empathy and the need to nurture a new generation of transformational leaders who are not only high-achieving but heart-centred equipped to excel in their fields while lifting others along the way. For mentees seeking to lead with integrity, purpose, and wisdom, Dr. Botchway-Commey doesn’t just offer mentorship she offers a compass.
