Abena Apau brings more than 15 years of experience in strategy, organizational transformation, and human-centered design to helping people navigate consequential moments of change.
Having advised global organizations and federal agencies, including PwC, NIH, FDA, and USDA, Abena combines strategic rigor with a deeply human approach to creating meaningful change.
Her perspective is also shaped by her experience navigating a profound family crisis while balancing a demanding career and caregiving responsibilities. This journey deepened her commitment to helping others redefine success, navigate complexity, and build lives and organizations where people can flourish.
As CEO of Strategy Doula, Abena walks alongside individuals and leaders, helping them find clarity, translate insights into intentional action, and move toward a future aligned with what matters most.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
George Washington University
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
University of Virginia
Professional Experience
15+ years in strategy, consulting, and organizational transformation
- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC): Management consulting, process improvement, and change management for global organizations.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): Organizational change, strategic planning, and operational effectiveness.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Strategic and operational planning, process improvement, and cross-agency collaboration.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Customer experience strategy, human-centered design, organizational performance, and continuous improvement.
Areas of Expertise
- Strategic Planning and Transformation
- Change Management
- Leadership & Personal Transitions
- Human-Centered Design
- Process Improvement
Beyond the Work
Abena is a mother of two who splits her time between Washington, DC, and Portugal. An enthusiastic traveler who has lived in five countries, she loves exploring new places, cultures, and cuisines. Her travel itineraries are often organized around where she plans to eat.
And while she once played the clarinet, she’ll be the first to admit it wasn’t her greatest talent.