Professional Development Track Chair

Ommo Clark is a technology entrepreneur, business startup coach, and doctoral researcher with extensive experience in leveraging digital technologies and data-driven solutions to drive business growth and promote digital inclusion to underserved populations. She is the founded and ran a software company in Nigeria that has developed impactful software solutions such as Handy-Jacks, an online platform connecting tradespeople with clients in Nigeria, fostering job creation, skill development, and economic empowerment. Her work spans technology, finance, healthcare, education, and international development, demonstrating her commitment to innovative digital transformation.

As a seasoned speaker, Ommo has shared her research and insights at numerous prestigious conferences, including the IEEE International Symposium on Women in Services Computing, African Women Global Tech Initiative, African Women in Tech Conference, the CEO Roundtable by Computer Professionals of Nigeria, and the Africa Law Festival. She has appeared on international and local media platforms such as Voice of America, CNBC Africa, Channels TV, and Women FM Nigeria, where she discusses topics on women in technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. She frequently shares her expertise at webinars and workshops worldwide, making her a recognized voice in the African tech community.

Ommo is actively engaged in academia as a PhD student in Information Systems at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), specializing in Health Informatics. Her research focuses on combating misinformation in online health information, earning her the UMBC COEIT PhD Research Poster Award 2024 and recognition as an IEEE WISC Scholar. As a member of the Knowledge Analytics Cognitive and Cloud (KnACC) Lab at the IS Dept, UMBC, she is at the forefront of exploring the intersection of NLP, knowledge graphs, and health informatics to improve public health outcomes.

Ommo is dedicated to empowering the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and professionals. She serves as a mentor and coach at Founder Institute Lagos, She Leads Africa, the ELOY Foundation, and the Women Technology Entrepreneurial Center (WTEC). She also contributes to global initiatives like the She Wins Africa program, implemented by VC4A in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), where she coaches and mentors tech startup founders. Passionate about bridging the digital skills gap, she has trained numerous individuals and women business owners in essential digital skills, significantly contributing to closing the digital divide. Her involvement with UMBC’s Alex Brown Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and participation in the 1Million Cups initiative further demonstrate her commitment to fostering entrepreneurial growth and innovation.

Ommo’s contributions to the field have been recognized through awards, including a special recognition for her role in promoting sustainable innovation and inclusivity. She is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Institute of Software Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Women in Data Science, and the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA). 

Ommo holds an MSc in Information Systems from Brunel University, UK, and a BA (Hons) in Business Administration from London Guildhall University, UK.