Current position and employer: Commissioner/Chair, Economic & International Trade Development TaskForce, Maryland Governor's Office; 2021 Bowe Fellow, a World Trade Center Institute Fellowship for Emerging and Developing Global Executives (EDGE Program)

In addition to other leadership roles, I was the Biden-Harris 2020 Campaign’s Chair of Policy & Communications for African Diaspora for Biden (AD4Biden). Previously worked as Economic Development Fellow, Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, U.S. Department of Commerce (Obama Administration). I've also been named to the Executive Office of the U.S. President's (EOP) Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA), at the Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

Hometown: New York City, NY (Nigerian heritage)

Current City: Annapolis, MD

Why did you choose McCourt? Academic rigor, research centers, Georgetown's reputation, and proximity to U.S. and international public policy institutions.

What was the best part of your experience with McCourt? There was always something new to discover or learn. Guest lectures from heads of government and industry featured in class case studies and access to vast resources of Georgetown University.

University Involvement: Post graduation, I served two-terms on the McCourt Alumni Board. I now serve on the University's African-American Advisory Board; the Faculty, Staff, and Curriculum Committee to the University President; member of Georgetown University Global Future of Development (now part of Global Georgetown) - Africa Governance & Economic Development; and the University's Alumni Admissions Program (AAP) for freshman and transfer undergraduates.

Tell us about a project that you’re currently working on.

I lead GOCI Maryland Business Forum’s engagement to align the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Africa & Global Health’s foreign policy priorities with therapies from Maryland’s $18.6 billion BioHealth & Life Sciences sector. I conceived and manage GOCI Maryland Business Forum, a transformative initiative by the Maryland Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI), to promote private-sector competitiveness in international commerce. Engagement with the House Subcommittee should expand markets for Maryland’s innovations, and provide life-saving therapy for international communities.

I realize COVID-19 induced intersecting crises of global pandemic and economic recession requires deliberate and targeted institutional intervention. Markets and societies have not organically returned to optimal conditions. As such, global economic growth will require enabling public policy, such as the GOCI Maryland Business Forum, which expands markets for producers, and increases access to life-saving therapies for communities in need.

Undergraduate university, degree, and major: University of Maryland, B.S. Global Business Management and Public Policy (minor, Business Law and Public Policy)

Hobbies/ Interests: My children and I are recreational trail cyclists. I also quite enjoy reading… and yes, video games!