DAME PROF. CHINELO JOY UGWU
Dame Prof. Chinelo Joy Ugwu is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gilt Counselling Consult. She is a Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Port Harcourt and a certified Professional Counsellor of Nigeria. She currently serves as the South-South Representative of the Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria (CPCN) and the Editor of Rivers State Chapter Journal.
With over thirty-five years of experience as an educationist and twenty-five years as a practising counsellor, Prof. Ugwu is widely respected for her expertise, leadership, and impact in the field of counselling and education. She has served as one-time Head of Department at the University of Port Harcourt (2022–2024) and Chairperson of the Rivers State Chapter of CASSON (2015–2021).
Through her leadership at GILT Counselling Consult, Prof. Ugwu works to empower young people with emotional resilience, life skills, and guidance to help them thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Prof. Ugwu has over eighty scholarly articles in different journals and holds various certificates in online short courses including Counselling and Mental Health, Trauma and Grief Counselling, and Substance Abuse and Preventive Training. She is a member of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) and the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP).
Dame Prof. Ugwu strongly advocates the "catch them young" philosophy as a foundation for optimal development. She is deeply admired by her mentees—many of whom are beneficiaries of her mentoring and scholarship programs—for her compassion, professionalism, and humane approach to addressing life challenges.
Other Governing Board Members
