Omenaa Mensah: A Global Philanthropic Pioneer Honored at the Super Bowl

In a landmark moment for international philanthropy, Omenaa Mensah, a Ghanaian-Polish humanitarian and the founder of TOP CHARITY—one of Central and Eastern Europe’s most significant philanthropic initiatives—was awarded the prestigious Global Woman of Impact Award. The honor was presented by Off The Field during the Super Bowl Charity Fashion Show in San Francisco, an event that fused sports, fashion, and social good on one of the world’s most-watched stages. This recognition not only celebrates Mensah’s transformative work bridging Africa and Europe but also signals a pivotal shift toward a more inclusive, globally-oriented model of philanthropy.

This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized analysis of Omenaa Mensah’s achievement, exploring her background, the scope of her initiatives, the significance of this award within the broader landscape of global giving, and actionable insights for those inspired by her journey. We will examine why this moment matters for diaspora leadership, the strategic use of high-profile platforms like the Super Bowl for advocacy, and the practical models of cross-continental collaboration she has pioneered.

Key Points: The Core Achievements of Omenaa Mensah

At a glance, the key facts surrounding this historic honor and Mensah’s work are:

• Historic Award: Omenaa Mensah is the first woman from outside the United States to receive the Global Woman of Impact Award in its 25-year history.
• Premier Platform: The award was presented during the Super Bowl Charity Fashion Show in San Francisco, leveraging the massive audience and cultural influence of the NFL’s championship event.
• Founder of TOP CHARITY: She is the originator of TOP CHARITY, which in just five years has mobilized nearly 150 million PLN (approx. $35 million USD) from corporate partners and donors for social, educational, and humanitarian causes across Europe.
• Measurable Impact: Her humanitarian and business endeavors have improved living conditions for over 2 million people globally and supported the rescue and education of more than 400 children in Ghana through the Kids Haven School initiative.
• Collaborative Model: She has co-created nearly 200 social initiatives via the Philanthropic Consortium, a network-based approach to problem-solving.
• Awarding Body: The honor comes from Off The Field, the official philanthropic arm of NFL players’ wives and partners, which operates in over 30 NFL cities and contributed over $1 million to 100+ nonprofits between 2024-2025.

Background: The Making of a Transnational Leader

Bicultural Roots and Formative Years

Omenaa Mensah’s identity is intrinsically transnational. With a Ghanaian father and a Polish mother, she embodies the African diaspora in Europe. Her father’s early lesson—that she would have to work twice as hard to prove her worth—instilled a resilience that defines her approach. This personal narrative of overcoming double barriers (as a woman and as a person of color in Europe) is central to her motivational message and her empathetic leadership style.

Founding TOP CHARITY: Scaling Philanthropy in Central and Eastern Europe

Recognizing a gap in structured, large-scale giving in her region, Mensah founded TOP CHARITY. Unlike traditional, localized charities, TOP CHARITY operates as a philanthropic consortium and a funding platform. Its model is built on:

• Corporate Partnership: Securing major commitments from businesses, ensuring sustainable funding streams rather than relying solely on public donations.
• Vetted Project Pipeline: Rigorously assessing and supporting social, educational, and humanitarian projects, particularly those with high-impact potential.
• Geographic Focus: Concentrating efforts on Central and Eastern Europe while maintaining critical humanitarian links to Africa, specifically Ghana.
• Network Amplification: The co-creation of nearly 200 initiatives via the Philanthropic Consortium demonstrates a commitment to collective action, bringing together NGOs, corporations, and community leaders.

The mobilization of nearly 150 million PLN in five years is a staggering figure that places TOP CHARITY among the continent’s most effective philanthropic engines.

Kids Haven School: A Flagship Initiative in Ghana

The Kids Haven School initiative represents the tangible, human-scale impact of Mensah’s vision. By focusing on the rescue and education of vulnerable children in Ghana, it addresses both immediate welfare (rescue) and long-term development (education). Supporting over 400 children, this project serves as a powerful case study for diaspora-led development—connecting resources from Europe to targeted, community-based solutions in Africa.

Analysis: Why This Award and This Moment Are Significant

1. The Globalization of Prestigious Philanthropy Awards

For 25 years, the Global Woman of Impact Award by Off The Field was historically awarded to American women. Mensah’s win as the first non-American recipient is a clear indicator of the globalization of philanthropic recognition. It reflects an acknowledgment that transformative leadership in charity and social good is not confined by geography. This shift aligns with the growing influence of the African diaspora in global finance, culture, and now, organized philanthropy.

2. The Super Bowl as a Stage for Social Messaging

The Super Bowl Charity Fashion Show is more than a glamorous pre-game event. It is a meticulously curated platform with a billion-person audience. Honoring a figure like Mensah here does several things:

• Mass Awareness: It introduces the concepts of transnational philanthropy and Africa-Europe collaboration to a mainstream, predominantly American audience.
• Legitimacy Transfer: association with the NFL and its charitable arm, Off The Field, lends mainstream sports legitimacy to philanthropic work that might otherwise be seen as niche.
• Cultural Diplomacy: It uses American cultural soft power (the Super Bowl) to spotlight a leader bridging two other cultures (Ghana and Poland), creating a multi-layered narrative of global connection.

3. Philanthropy as a Tool for Continental Reconnection

Mensah’s work explicitly focuses on connecting Africa and Europe through philanthropy, education, and cultural collaboration. This moves beyond traditional North-South aid models. It represents a South-South and diaspora-led development paradigm, where resources, knowledge, and cultural affinity flow between regions with historical ties. Her success with TOP CHARITY in Europe funding projects in Ghana is a blueprint for this model.

4. Centennial of Black History Month: A Symbolic Convergence

The award was presented during the centennial year of Black History Month in the United States. This timing is profoundly symbolic. It places the achievement of a Black woman of African heritage on a global stage, celebrating not just individual success but the rising collective influence of the African diaspora in shaping inclusive, modern philanthropy. It challenges the historical narrative of philanthropy being a solely Western, elite endeavor.

5. Off The Field’s Strategic Expansion

For Off The Field, honoring Mensah is a strategic move to internationalize its brand and mission. As the philanthropic arm of NFL players’ families, it has deep roots in American communities. By recognizing a global changemaker, it signals its ambition to support and connect philanthropists worldwide, using the NFL’s platform to build a more extensive network of impact. Their work with initiatives like Road to LA 2028 (empowering women in sports ahead of the Olympics) shows a clear focus on female leadership and global sporting events.

Practical Advice: Lessons from Omenaa Mensah’s Model

For aspiring philanthropists, NGO leaders, and social entrepreneurs, Mensah’s career offers several replicable strategies:

Build a Consortium, Not Just an Organization

The Philanthropic Consortium model is key. Instead of trying to do everything alone, create a network. This involves:

• Corporate Alliances: Secure anchor partners who provide core funding and in-kind support.
• NGO Partnerships: Collaborate with established on-the-ground organizations that have community trust and operational expertise.
• Cross-Sector Coalitions: Engage with academic institutions, cultural bodies, and government agencies to create holistic initiatives.

Leverage Identity and Narrative for Connection

Mensah’s bicultural identity is her unique asset. She uses it to build bridges. Individuals and organizations should:

• Embrace Your Story: Personal narrative is a powerful tool for building empathy and trust. Share your “why” authentically.
• Focus on Connection: Frame your work not as charity but as connection, partnership, and mutual growth between communities.
• Target Diaspora Networks: Engage diaspora communities as key stakeholders, donors, and ambassadors. They possess invaluable cultural intelligence and transnational ties.

Pursue High-Visibility Platforms Strategically

The Super Bowl platform was not an accident. It was a strategic target. To maximize impact:

• Identify Aligned Platforms: Find events, awards, or media opportunities that share your target audience and values (e.g., major sporting events, film festivals, economic summits).
• Prepare a Compelling Package: Have clear impact metrics, a powerful personal or beneficiary story, and a professional presentation ready for such opportunities.
• Think Beyond the Award: Use the platform’s spotlight to launch new campaigns, attract new partners, and amplify your message for sustained effect.

Prioritize Measurable, Scalable Impact

Credibility in philanthropy is built on results. Mensah’s team reports concrete numbers: 2 million people helped, 400+ children educated, 150 million PLN raised. To emulate this:

• Define Clear KPIs: Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) from the start—number of beneficiaries, schools built, funds allocated.
• Invest in Monitoring & Evaluation: Have systems to track progress and demonstrate accountability to donors and communities.
• Scale through Partnerships: Use proven pilot projects to attract larger consortium funding for wider replication, as seen with TOP CHARITY’s growth.

FAQ: Common Questions About Omenaa Mensah and the Global Woman of Impact Award

Who exactly is Omenaa Mensah?

Omenaa Mensah is a Ghanaian-Polish philanthropist, entrepreneur, and founder of TOP CHARITY and the Philanthropic Consortium. She is known for building large-scale philanthropic networks in Central and Eastern Europe and for her humanitarian projects linking Europe and Africa, particularly Ghana.

What is TOP CHARITY?

TOP CHARITY is a major philanthropic initiative and funding platform based in Poland, operating across Central and Eastern Europe. It functions as a consortium, mobilizing corporate partnerships to fund diverse social, educational, and humanitarian projects. In five years, it has directed nearly 150 million PLN to charitable causes.

What is the Global Woman of Impact Award?

It is an award presented by Off The Field, the philanthropic arm of the wives and partners of NFL players. The award honors women who have made extraordinary contributions in philanthropy, culture, health, sports, and social activism. Past recipients include Robin Roberts, Kathy Ireland, and Gayle Benson.

What is Off The Field?

Off The Field is a nonprofit organization founded 25 years ago. It operates in over 30 NFL cities, connecting the influence of the NFL community with charitable causes. It focuses on empowering women and girls, supporting health initiatives, and leveraging sports for social good. Between 2024-2025, it contributed over $1 million to more than 100 nonprofits.

Why is Mensah’s win considered historic?

She is the first woman from outside the United States to receive this award in its 25-year history. This marks a deliberate expansion of the award’s