WALKING THE WALK
As a child, you internalize what you observe. Not only did my family emphasize the importance of treating everybody with respect and care, but also I saw them practice this in their everyday interactions.
LEFT BRAIN, MEET RIGHT
People were often surprised to hear that my favorite subjects in elementary school were math and art. I equally appreciate analytics and creativity, which is why I love consumer investing — it’s the perfect blend of art and science.
OKAY, SO I HEAR YOU PREPARED FOR THIS INTERVIEW.
I did! I knew you were going to ask me how my friends describe me, so I asked around.
AMAZING! WAS “ALWAYS PREPARED” ONE ANSWER YOU GOT?
No, but they did say: “strong work ethic,” “conscientious”…
SOUNDS ACCURATE…
“Resilient,” “super organized,” “curious,” “good listener,” “treats people fairly”…
SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A LOT OF GOOD FRIENDS!
I do! A lot of people close to me are spread across different continents, so I always make a point to catch up with them on the weekends. It’s always a source of joy for me.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I spent my childhood in both London, England, and Lagos, Nigeria. My family’s approach and my interactions with people in these two countries has made me very open to different cultures and viewpoints.
SO THAT’S WHERE “CURIOUS” AND “GOOD LISTENER” COME IN…
Absolutely! But also, having my friends say “treats people fairly” meant a lot to me. As a child, my family emphasized the importance of treating everybody with respect and care, regardless of their background or personal beliefs. Clearly I internalized this.
WAS THERE ONE PERSON IN PARTICULAR WHO HAD A STRONG INFLUENCE ON YOU?
My mother. Everything she does, she does exceptionally. Despite having a demanding career, she’s always managed to be present in my life and does so much for our wider family. She remains the person I go to when I need the best advice, no matter how large or small the issue.
AMAZING. AND WHAT DID YOU STUDY IN COLLEGE?
I studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of Oxford. The topics were intriguing — from development economics to fundamental questions concerning the nature of knowledge and reality. And the teaching method really impacted how I analyze concepts and build and convey opinions.
FINALLY, A WORK QUESTION. WHAT GETS YOU MOST PSYCHED ABOUT WORKING WITH VMG CONSUMER’S PORTFOLIO COMPANIES?
I find the consumer psychology element fascinating. I love to strategize how to scale a brand that has managed to capture the hearts of consumers and ensure it becomes a successful business that persists over time.
“EVERYTHING SHE DOES, SHE DOES EXCEPTIONALLY.” SOUNDS LIKE WE SHOULD ADD “JUST LIKE MOM” TO YOUR LIST OF DESCRIPTIONS.
For me, that would be the ultimate compliment. If I inherited half of her grace and wisdom, I’d be very lucky.
