Nothing guides better than real life experiences, and I would like to contribute to the Duke community through mine, both as a student and an alumnus. I have harnessed the power of community and teamwork throughout my career as well as in my efforts to improve access to education for children in marginalized communities in Nigeria. I have seen the importance of leveraging the strength of personal networks and my immediate community, to effect change on a larger scale. At Fuqua, I have identified three clubs and activities which resonate with me the most for utilizing my past learnings to contribute to the community and for building my leadership traits.
As a finance professional in the Oil and Gas Industry, which is primarily male dominated, I have created opportunities for women by mentoring female employees and advocating gender balance in my workplace. At Fuqua, I will join the Association of Women in Business, take up a leadership role and contribute towards planning conferences and events, similar to the Women’s Leadership Weekend which I happened to attend in October. My experience in planning conferences at work will prove instrumental in this regards. I will also pioneer mentoring activities for prospective students, in future women leadership weekends. Being a fitness enthusiast, I will take up the role of a Health and Wellness Lead, organizing Yoga or Zumba classes for women to keep their minds and bodies fit.
I constantly keep myself updated about the energy industry in order to provide meaningful insights and information on the financial performance of the company. I also regularly share my knowledge about recent developments in the sector with the executive leadership and the finance teams. As a part of the Net Impact Club, I will share my knowledge of the oil and gas industry, and contribute to the researches on advancements in sustainable energy and related environmental, social and governance issues such as decarbonisation, climate justice, etc. My plan is to initiate quarterly newsletters from the club, educating subscribers on recent developments around sustainability and social impact. By participating in the Sustainable Business & Social Impact (SBSI) Conference as a student leader, I will contribute valuable anecdotes to conversations on sustainable energy.
Also, I plan to join the Black and Latino MBA Organisation in a leadership role, adding to their efforts of increasing the number of students from underrepresented minorities, promoting diversity, and educating other non-minority students on diversity and African culture. Participating in prospective student application reviews, organising events specific to various African cultures and celebrations, and setting up sessions on business-related career paths with high school students from Durham, are some of the responsibilities I want to undertake as a member of this noteworthy club.
I firmly believe in giving back to the community and hence, I will share all available opportunities with Fuqua’s students. I shall set a remarkable example at my workplace so that the employer becomes aware of the value of Fuqua’s education system, thereby creating more opportunities for future students.