Toritse David Maroh

MIT, Sloan School of Management

“By the age of 21, I had the privilege of meeting with at least one national or traditional leader, including Presidents, Monarchs, and Chiefs, from every country in Africa through my advocacy work with UN Women.”

Hometown: Delta, Nigeria

Fun fact about yourself: I’ve met with at least one leader (president, monarch or traditional leader) from every country in Africa before the age of 21 through my activist work with UN Women.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Covenant University, BSc Economics (First-Class Honors)

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Standard Bank Group, Investment Banking Analyst

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? J.P. Morgan, Summer Associate – Investment Banking, New York

Where will you be working after graduation? Bain & Company – Consulting, Boston, MA. I will strengthen my experience in strategy and market expansion with the long-term goal of launching a startup incubator for African and emerging market entrepreneurs.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Co-President, MIT Sloan Africa Business Club
• MIT Legatum Fellow (focused on entrepreneurship in emerging markets)
• Core Mentor, MIT Sloan
• Career Peer, MIT Sloan
• Organizer, MIT Sloan Africa Innovate Conference
• Co-producer, Assessing the System & Capacities in ‘innovation-driven entrepreneurial’ (IDE) Ecosystems (MIT REAP Framework)
• Teaching Assistant: Entrepreneurship 101, Start Ups and Law, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

Awards

• SW4W Spotlight Awards 2025

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? One of my most significant achievements at MIT Sloan has been my deep commitment to advancing entrepreneurial ecosystems, particularly for individuals and ventures serving emerging markets. Through research, mentorship, and venture support, I have leveraged Sloan’s entrepreneurial resources to drive meaningful impact.

I co-produced Assessing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Emerging Markets, a research initiative that explores strategies for fostering sustainable entrepreneurship in emerging markets. This project, which has been widely referenced by investors and ecosystem builders, informs investment strategies that directly benefit African entrepreneurs.

Beyond research, I have been deeply involved in mentorship. I’ve served as a Teaching Assistant for three courses: Entrepreneurship 101, Startups and the Law, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems – and have guided aspiring entrepreneurs in refining business models, securing funding, and navigating regulatory complexities. Additionally, I have informally mentored over five entrepreneurs in building new businesses as well as expanding existing ventures. Many of these founders have now successfully raised capital and expanded their ventures, reinforcing the value of hands-on guidance.

Through these experiences, I have not only deepened my own entrepreneurial expertise but have also helped shape a more inclusive and vibrant startup ecosystem. My time at Sloan has been about building, learning, and paying it forward—a legacy that extends well beyond the classroom.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? While working at Standard Bank, I identified a major funding gap for African entrepreneurs. To address this, I co-founded Velocity Digital, a venture capital syndicate that has invested over $750,000 in 44 startups, ensuring at least one woman holds a C-suite position in each company. This initiative has provided both capital and mentorship to underserved female founders, bridging a critical financing gap.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose MIT Sloan because I wanted to think outside the box. Having spent all my working career in finance I wanted a place that uniquely integrated innovation, entrepreneurship, and business leadership. This is a perfect fit for my mission to drive financial inclusion while preparing for a high-impact career that aligns with my long-term goals.

Sloan’s action-learning philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on problem-solving and collaboration with real-world businesses, was a defining factor. For example, programs like Action Learning’s ASEAN Lab offered practical tools to bridge finance, entrepreneurship, and business strategy.

From the first orientation, I saw how Sloan’s core values—excellence, curiosity, openness, respect, and belonging—are deeply embedded in every interaction. Whether through peer mentorship, student-led initiatives, or faculty engagement, Sloan fosters a community where people genuinely invest in each other’s success.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Prof. Bassima Tewfik made Power and Negotiations one of the most dynamic and impactful courses at Sloan. Her classes weren’t just about learning tactics, they were high-stakes negotiation simulations where every session felt like stepping into a real-world, deal-making scenario. We debated, bargained, and strategized in teams., By the time she masterfully wrapped up each session, we didn’t just understand negotiation—we had lived it.

Beyond the classroom, Bassima’s mentorship extended to real-world career negotiations. She took the time to advise students on negotiating job offers, promotions, and complex workplace dynamics, tailoring her insights to our unique situations. Her extensive research and real-world experience in negotiations, leadership dynamics, and workplace influence made her guidance invaluable—not just for securing better offers, but for navigating power structures, advocating for ourselves, and shaping our careers with confidence.

Aside from the invaluable skills we gained negotiating multimillion-dollar deals, resolving conflicts, and leading with persuasion—Bassima’s class was simply a lot of fun. Every session was engaging, fast-paced, and filled with lively debates that made learning feel effortless. Thanks to Bassima, I left Sloan not only as a more skilled negotiator but also with great memories of an incredibly enjoyable class.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? One of the most impactful learning experiences at MIT Sloan was the Legatum Fellowship Program, a year-long entrepreneurship and leadership program focused on venture building in emerging markets. It provided a structured environment, combining leadership coursework, mentorship, and entrepreneurial resources. At the same time, it challenged me to apply frameworks in real time such as developing a venture roadmap for emerging markets based on market research and refining financial models through investor feedback.

The curriculum was rigorous, pushing us to think critically about scaling ventures in resource-constrained environments. We explored startup financing, integrity in business, AI applications, and product-market fit through brainstorming sessions, mentorship calls, and hands-on assignments. The tight-knit nature of the program ensured every session was engaging and practical.

A defining experience was the ecosystem tours to Brazil and Egypt, where we engaged with entrepreneurs and key stakeholders. Seeing how policy, funding, and infrastructure shape entrepreneurship reinforced my commitment to supporting startups in emerging markets.

By the end of the program, I left with greater clarity and conviction that my goal of accelerating emerging-market startups is not just aspirational but achievable.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I would have gone for the MIT Sailing Certificate earlier in my MBA journey. I was deeply involved in entrepreneurship, venture scaling, and community leadership, but I wish I had carved out more time for one of MIT’s most iconic traditions.

Sailing at MIT isn’t just about being on the water—it’s about problem-solving under pressure, teamwork, and adaptability, all of which tie into Sloan’s leadership philosophy. It would have been an incredible way to bond with classmates, take on a new challenge, and fully experience the unique MIT culture. While I eventually made it out on the water, earning my certification would have been a fun and rewarding balance to the action-based learning that defined my time at Sloan.

What movie or television show (e.g. The Big Short, The Founder, Mad Men, House of Lies) best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? The Greatest Showman is a powerful reflection of business strategy, entrepreneurship, branding, and resilience, highlighting the challenges of creating demand, navigating uncertainty, and sustaining long-term success.

The film illustrates that success isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about execution, reinvention, and understanding your audience. Barnum faced skepticism and financial struggles but continuously adapted his brand, proving that differentiation and storytelling are critical in business.

It also reveals the pitfalls of unchecked ambition—how chasing external validation over sustainable growth can jeopardize long-term success. True business leadership comes from balancing risk-taking with integrity and prioritizing lasting impact over short-term wins.

This mirrors my own business journey—navigating uncertainty, taking strategic risks, and recognizing that building something meaningful isn’t just about selling an idea but creating real value that lasts.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? MIT Sloan has seamlessly integrated AI into its curriculum, particularly in courses like Entrepreneurship 101, where students use Orbit, an AI-powered tool that helps refine business models, assess market opportunities, and stress-test assumptions. However, Sloan ensures AI is used as a complement, not a replacement for human judgment. Professors require students to analyze problems both with and without AI, reinforcing critical thinking while emphasizing ethical and responsible AI use. While AI enhances efficiency and decision-making, Sloan mandates transparency and proper citation, ensuring students learn to leverage AI effectively while maintaining strategic, independent thinking.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Muele Wilcox, my co-president of the Africa Business Club, for her exceptional leadership, organization, and commitment to serving others. Working alongside her has been a rewarding experience. Beyond her role in ABC, she serves as a Student Senator and Career Peer, advocating for students and supporting their career growth. Muele is also the most efficient and responsive person I’ve met—she answers emails faster than anyone I know, making her an invaluable asset in student leadership and administration. She is a true problem-solver, ensuring tasks are completed with precision and care while always prioritizing the Sloan community.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

• Bridge the financial inclusion gap in Africa by launching a company that expands access to capital for underserved entrepreneurs. My experience in consulting, investment banking, and business operations will provide the expertise needed to design scalable financial solutions that empower startups and drive economic growth across the continent.
• Build a venture ecosystem that supports African startups by providing not just funding but also mentorship, infrastructure, and operational expertise. Consulting will expose me to key players in finance, investment, and entrepreneurship, helping me connect founders with the right resources to scale and succeed.

What made Toriste such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Toritse is the epitome of a measured leader. She is emotionally astute, and I’ve often witnessed her taking inventory of other students’ perspectives and experiences that they’ve shared before providing her own input, which is both thoughtful and orientates students towards teamwork. As co-president of the Africa Business Club and co-lead for the 15th Annual Africa Innovate Conference, Toritse played a huge role in the planning and preparations for the conference and was always present to advise meetings between the AIC chairs and the Student Life Office. Along with her fellow co-leads, she worked late hours, even when she was traveling abroad fulfilling other fellowship and personal obligations. She is tireless and supports her peers whenever they’re in need – whether it’s a friend dealing with a loss, a prospective AdMIT navigating what life could be like at Sloan, or a student in one of the many classes where she serves as a TA.”

Nia DeYoung
Director, MIT Sloan Student Life Office

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