Adetokunbo Kosile-Palmer

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

“I am a passionate leader with CPG and tech experience, driven by people, impact, and global business growth.”

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Fun fact about yourself: I’ve been ranked as one of the top 10 Google local guide food reviewer—twice! I love exploring different types of food and sharing honest reviews. It’s my way of combining my love for food, storytelling, and building community, one bite at a time.

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Environmental Science

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Schneider Electric – Business Process Analyst

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Seville LA, Marketing Team Leader

Where will you be working after graduation? TBD. Currently at Business Development Consultant (Intern) at Dashboard.Earth

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• VP of Community and Culture Marshall Graduate Students Association: 2024-2025
• Marshall Leadership Fellows Program (MLFP): 2024
• AVP Community Engagement and Events, Black Graduate Business Leaders: 2023-2024
• Spring 2024 Dean’s list
• Fall 2024 Dean’s list
• Forward Summit Scholarship recipient
• National Black MBA (Los Angeles Chapter) Scholarship recipient

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? One of my proudest achievements in business school was leading the launch of a new signature Community and Culture event—First-Gen National Day, at the Marshall School of Business in November 2024. In my role as VP of Community and Culture for the Marshall Graduate Student Association (MGSA), I saw that a single annual event wasn’t enough to meaningfully build community and support intersectional identities. Despite budget constraints, I worked closely with newly-elected AVPs from diverse backgrounds to co-develop fresh ideas. One of my classmates, a proud first-gen student, proposed celebrating First-Gen National Day and I was excited to help bring the idea to life. I presented it to the Program Director, emphasizing that it aligned with the school’s community success goals. The proposal was not only approved and financially supported by the Program office and USC Office of Culture and Community Success, but the business school committed to making it a recurring annual event. This experience underscored the power of inclusive leadership and collaboration and by truly listening to diverse voices, we created lasting impact.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The professional achievement I’m most proud of is developing a localized Deal Winning Strategy (DWS) process—a sales qualification process that was implemented across the Northern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa (NESSA) cluster at Schneider Electric, resulting in a significant improvement in our project win rate. Working with my previous manager, Rebecca Jackson, as a Business Process Analyst gave me significant exposure and enabled me to embrace opportunities and challenges that stretched my capabilities. This included adapting a global strategy framework to fit the unique needs of our region. I worked cross-functionally across board to iteratively develop this document which helped teams properly evaluate projects based on execution readiness, not just deal size.

Once finalized and approved by leadership, the strategy was adopted across the cluster and became a foundational part of how we pursued projects. This experience taught me the power of data-driven insights and cross-functional collaboration in creating scalable, high-impact solutions.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose USC Marshall School of Business for its global experiential learning, specifically the PRIME program. Coming from a multicultural professional background and having worked across multiple regions, I knew I needed hands-on, global exposure to sharpen my business acumen and strategic thinking. The PRIME program offered exactly that—real-world problem-solving in an international setting. It was important to me because I didn’t want just theory; I wanted a learning experience that would push me beyond the classroom, allow me to navigate diverse business environments, and help me build the confidence to lead on a global scale

Who was your favorite MBA professor? It’s tough to choose because I’ve had several amazing MBA professors – Professor Bayiz Murat, Professor Tchalian, and Professor Strauss included. However, Professor Scott Abrams deserves credit for changing my perspective on Corporate Finance—a subject I didn’t enjoy much before business school. What once felt like gibberish became approachable and even enjoyable, thanks to his clear and engaging teaching style. He broke down complex concepts in a way that made them easy-to-understand, even for those without a finance background. His class not only boosted my confidence, but also sparked a genuine interest in a subject I never thought I’d enjoy.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? One of my favorite courses was The Founder’s Dilemma taught by Professor Hovig Tchalian. The course gave me invaluable insight into the tough decisions founders face when scaling their businesses—decisions around equity splits, co-founder selection, and hiring leadership. What made it especially compelling was how Professor Tchalian brought case studies to life, helping me think like a founder even though I’m pursuing a Strategy and Business Development path. It taught me to weigh long-term vision against short-term tradeoffs and helped shape how I evaluate leadership and growth strategies today. I believe it’s a must-take for every MBA student.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could do one thing differently, I would’ve made a more intentional effort to build deeper relationships outside my immediate circles from the very start. Between classes, recruiting, and leadership roles, it was easy to stick with familiar faces. But Marshall has such a diverse, talented student body – and every interaction was an opportunity to learn from someone with a completely different background or perspective. Looking back, I realize how much more I could’ve gained—personally and professionally—by reaching out earlier and more often. The value of this MBA goes beyond the classroom, and I would’ve leaned into that even more.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Many people think Marshall is mainly for careers in tech and entertainment, largely due to its Los Angeles location and strong industry ties in those sectors. The proximity to Hollywood and Silicon Beach has shaped that perception, and many assume the school primarily feeds into those industries. However, consulting is also a major and growing strength at Marshall. It isn’t just a side path here, it was a well-supported, strategic option.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? It’s a city full of opportunity—home to startups, Fortune 500s, VCs, and social impact orgs. Yet you can still find moments to unwind at the beach, staycations at National parks, try food from around the world, or catch an outdoor concert. As a foodie and local guide, I was constantly exploring new restaurants and hidden gems. The energy of the city kept me inspired, and it was the perfect backdrop for a transformative MBA experience. LA made it easy to work hard and still enjoy life.

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? The show that best reflects the realities of business for me is The Founder. It tells the story of how Ray Kroc scaled McDonald’s into a global empire, and it captures both the brilliance and the ethical gray areas of business growth. What struck me most was how vision, persistence, and timing can shape a company’s future. At the same time, I saw how important it is to align that growth with integrity and shared values.

As someone interested in Strategy and Leadership, The Founder taught me that scaling a business is not just about having a good product, it’s about systems, partnerships, and the tough decisions that come with long-term ambition. But it also reminded me that how you win is just as important as what you win.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? One way Marshall has integrated AI into the MBA experience is through courses and projects that explore real-world applications of AI in business decision-making. For instance, in the Data Science for Business course, the class introduced us to machine learning models, predictive analytics, and data visualization tools that businesses use to gain competitive advantage. While it wasn’t strictly a coding class, we used real-world datasets to understand how algorithms inform everything from customer segmentation to pricing strategies. A key insight I gained was that AI is only as valuable as the questions you ask and the context you apply. It’s not about the tool—it’s about the strategic thinking behind it. The course helped me realize how essential it is for business leaders to not just understand AI at a surface level, but to be able to translate insights into actionable decisions.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? The MBA classmate I admire most is Oluwatosin Ajenifuja. She embodies resilience and unwavering determination. No matter what challenges life throws her way, she continues to show up with strength, grace, and focus. What’s even more inspiring is her ability to uplift others, with encouraging words that motivate those around her.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The two top items on my professional bucket list are the following:

1. Leading a global business strategy team that drives innovation and sustainable growth across multiple markets. My cross-industry experience in consumer goods and tech has fueled my desire to create strategies that blend business value with real-world impact, especially in emerging markets.

2. Becoming a thought leader in inclusive leadership and building people-centered workplace cultures. I’m passionate about creating environments where individuals from all backgrounds feel valued and supported. In the future, I’d love to share my experiences through writing and speaking engagements, helping organizations cultivate workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and grow.

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

“Adetokunbo Kosile-Palmer, fondly known as TK, was an extraordinary addition to the USC Marshall Class of 2025 because of her rare blend of strategic leadership, emotional intelligence, and unshakable commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community. As a student leader, Adetokunbo led with clarity of vision and deep purpose, developing programming that not only reflected student needs but elevated the standard for what culture and connection could look like within a top MBA program. Her leadership style is proactive, collaborative, and inspiring, earning her the trust and respect of peers, faculty, and administrators alike.

Faculty were consistently impressed with how Adetokunbo fully engaged in the classroom. She was not only a thoughtful contributor, but also someone who elevated class discussions through her insights, curiosity, and willingness to bring real-world context to complex topics. Her academic excellence was reflected in her multiple appearances on the Dean’s List—an accomplishment that speaks to her dedication, intellectual rigor, and ability to balance leadership responsibilities with high performance in the classroom.

What truly distinguished Adetokunbo was her ability to turn values into action. She didn’t wait for change to happen; she initiated it. Whether launching the inaugural First-Generation National Day celebration, amplifying underrepresented voices through new engagement strategies, or guiding her team through budgetary and logistical challenges, Adetokunbo brought a results-oriented mindset grounded in equity and empathy. She led from the front while empowering others to lead alongside her, always making space for new ideas and shared ownership.

As a trusted student leader, she became the connective thread of the Class of 2025—someone who celebrated others, supported those navigating personal and academic challenges, and fostered a culture where everyone felt seen and valued. Her legacy is one of purposeful leadership, cultural stewardship, and community impact.”

Tonisha Jester-Morris
Director
Office of Culture and Community Success
Interim Program Director
Full-Time MBA Program Office

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

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