Oyindamola Modupe Odewuyi

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

“Adaptable, enterprising, passionate about development, love to make positive impact, entertaining, creative and entrepreneurial.”

School: UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School 

Hometown: Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I have a passion for cooking, and I’ve found a way to turn my culinary skills into a profitable venture. I transformed my love for cooking into a business opportunity. Mielefritinkitchen is an all-in-one African kitchen that offers cooked meals and foodstuff packaging for both individual and large-scale consumption.

Undergraduate School and Major: Obafemi Awolowo University, accounting

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Sterling Bank Plc, Team Lead, Corporate Financial Strategy, Strategy, and Innovation Group

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Kenan-Flagler’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?

 The STAR Program played a crucial role in my decision to choose UNC Kenan-Flagler. Its appeal lies in the opportunity to make a broader impact by actively assisting businesses in real-time problem-solving during my academic journey. I view this as a significant stepping stone to replicate successful consulting models in my future career after completing my MBA program.

What has been your first impression of the Kenan-Flagler MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far?

I must admit that my expectations have been pleasantly surpassed by the UNC Kenan-Flagler community. There is a remarkable absence of discrimination, and everyone is genuinely eager to assist others without even needing to be asked. A particularly memorable experience occurred on the first day of orientation. Due to a flight delay, I arrived two hours late, causing me to miss the initial part of the day and some UNC items that had been distributed earlier. However, during the lunch break, I approached one of the coordinators about it, and to my amazement, both the coordinator and one of the directors assured me they would promptly provide the items, which they indeed did. In fact, they brought the materials directly to me in the study room.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Kenan-Flagler?

In addition to the STAR club, which was a significant factor in my decision to choose UNC Kenan-Flagler, a club that truly excites me is Carolina Women in Business. Given my strong entrepreneurial inclination and my current startup kitchen business in Nigeria, I am confident that this club and its thoughtfully curated activities will be instrumental in honing my skills as a business owner. Moreover, I believe it will provide me with a profound understanding of global business ethics, which is essential for my ventures.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: 

My most significant career accomplishment was spearheading the creation and implementation of an accounting dashboard tailored for small businesses. This initiative resulted in an impressive ~70% growth in division revenue and a remarkable 50% increase in the bank’s customer base. This achievement holds great importance to me because it was a completely new venture, and I had never undertaken anything of this magnitude before. It demanded extensive research, and I had to deliver on the task within an exceptionally tight timeframe. Successfully achieving these outstanding results was truly a defining moment in my career.

What do you hope to do after graduation?

My aspiration is to work as a consultant at one of the leading consulting firms in the United States of America, such as McKinsey, Bain or Boston Consulting Group. This career path excites me because it provides a platform to have a broader impact in assisting businesses to grow and flourish. I am eager to leverage my skills and knowledge to contribute significantly to the success and development of various enterprises, making a meaningful difference in the corporate world.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Kenan-Flagler’s MBA program?

UNC Kenan-Flagler is undeniably one of the top business schools in the United States of America, and gaining admission is no easy feat. Aspiring applicants should be aware that it requires dedication and hard work. My advice to potential applicants is to maintain focus and resilience throughout the application journey. It is crucial for them to be intentional about their choices and decisions, as this will guide them through the rigorous application process. By staying committed to their goals and making thoughtful choices, they can increase their chances of completing the application successfully and ultimately securing admission to this esteemed institution.