Damilola Olupona

University of Michigan, Ross School of Business

“Analytical enough to crunch numbers, resilient enough to survive swimming classes last year, human enough to laugh often.”

Hometown: Owo, Ondo state, Nigeria

Fun Fact About Yourself: Podcasts are my fuel; I’ve probably learned more from my headphones than from any other source this year.

Undergraduate School and Major: Obafemi Awolowo University, Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Research Analyst at Stonex

Michigan Ross is best known for experiential learning programming like MAP, Living Business Leadership Experience, and the Leadership Crisis Challenge. What experiential program interests you the most? I am most excited about MAP. As someone looking to move into a different role in finance, I see it as the perfect way to get real, hands-on experience before making that switch. I spoke with a few Ross students before starting my program, and I was told that MAP was the highlight of their MBA. They loved the quality of the projects and the chance to work directly with top companies in the U.S. and abroad. Hearing their stories made it clear to me that MAP isn’t just another class; it is a chance to test myself in a real business setting, learn from teammates, and build the confidence for the career move that I want to make.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Michigan Ross’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Aside from my classmates, the Strategy program at Ross was a key factor in my decision. I aspire to work with and eventually lead some of the world’s top companies, and I know that this requires a deep understanding of strategy. The course here has already exceeded my expectations, helping me think critically about industry rivalry and the interconnected factors that shape successful businesses. Also, having the chance to learn directly from Professor Felipe Csaszar, whose work on organizational strategy is so impactful, makes the experience even more valuable.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Michigan Ross? I am excited about joining several clubs and activities, such as the Investment Club and the African Business Club, and exploring the diverse treks at Ross. I just signed up for an MTrek and will explore South America next winter. This will be my first time on the continent, and I am looking forward to activities such as paragliding, rafting, and hiking, which will be a great opportunity to cross those off my bucket list. Lastly, the chance to watch a live college football game in ‘The Big House’ and join the post-game celebrations at ‘The Bus’ makes me super excited.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? Why? My unique quality is resilience. I have faced moments, both personally and professionally, where plans derailed overnight. Rather than being discouraged, I leaned on persistence and creativity to find new paths forward. At Ross, where action-based learning sometimes means navigating ambiguity and setbacks, I will contribute by keeping my classmates and fellow Rossers motivated, positive, and focused on solutions.

When you think of the University of Michigan, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Collaboration. Collaboration is at the heart of Ross. The community here really encourages learning together, whether it’s in the classroom, tackling group projects, networking events, or faculty-and student-led social activities. Ross provides a space where you can continuously grow, take ownership of your experiences, and really make an impact. I love that every voice is valued and everyone has the chance to thrive. It’s the kind of environment that makes you excited to contribute and learn every single day. Every voice matters at Ross!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my proudest accomplishments was helping my previous company, Stonex, grow its Africa credit research coverage to over 20 sovereign and corporate credits, including high-yield and special situations. One of the highlights for me was pitching investment ideas in African fixed-income markets to major hedge funds and asset managers in London. It was challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. Another moment that I will never forget was being part of the winning team for the ARM EXCO strategy initiative in 2019. We earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai, which was not only my first trip to the Middle East, but also a really proud recognition of our hard work.

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