Home

Agitu Wodajo is a nonprofit leader, certified Christian counselor, consultant, author, and advocate with more than three decades of experience advancing women’s empowerment, community development, healthcare access, leadership development, and organizational transformation across the United States and internationally. As the Founder of Agitu Consulting, LLC, she provides strategic consulting in nonprofit management, leadership development, capacity building, evaluation, Christian counseling, and sustainable organizational growth.

Throughout her career, Agitu has founded and led impactful organizations dedicated to empowering underserved communities, particularly immigrant, refugee, and displaced women. She previously served as Founder and Executive Director of the International Self-Reliance Agency for Women, Inc., where she built a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that helped women achieve economic self-sufficiency, safety, and leadership through culturally responsive programs and advocacy initiatives. Under her leadership, ISAW obtained Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). Her work also contributed to important policy reforms, including reducing barriers for foreign-trained nurses and immigrant entrepreneurs.

Earlier in her career, Agitu founded the Women’s Self-Reliance Association in Ethiopia, pioneering programs that empowered displaced women through income-generation, health education, and leadership training. Her advocacy efforts also contributed to the establishment of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the development of the country’s first national women’s policy.

Agitu’s expertise spans nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, grant writing, fiscal management, policy advocacy, Christian counseling, training, partnership development, and cross-cultural engagement. She is passionate about helping individuals and organizations achieve holistic growth by integrating faith-based principles, leadership excellence, and practical solutions that create lasting impact.

A lifelong learner and servant leader, Agitu holds a PhD in Christian Leadership, an Executive Master of Public Affairs from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota as a Bush Leadership Fellow, a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, and diplomas as Community Nurse and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Her work and leadership have earned numerous honors and awards, including the prestigious Bush Leadership Fellowship, the Outstanding Service to Women Award from Metropolitan State University, commendations from the Governor of Minnesota, and recognition from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for outstanding service and community impact.

In addition to consulting and leadership, Agitu is also an author. Her debut book, The Secret to Finishing Well, reflects her passion for purposeful leadership, perseverance, and faith. She is also the author of A Purposeful Life, an Amazon #1 bestselling memoir in its category.

Today, through Agitu Consulting, LLC and Holistic Freedom International, Inc., Agitu continues to help organizations, leaders, families, and communities build sustainable systems, strengthen leadership capacity, promote emotional and spiritual well-being, and create meaningful social impact.