Lekan olawoye biography of donald

Before founding BPTN, Lekan Olawoye made significant strides in the realm of talent development and social representation.

He served as the Head Executive of Talent Development at MaRS Discovery District, a Toronto-based innovation hub. At MaRS, Lekan was instrumental in guiding professionals through the evolving landscape of fast-growing companies, equipping them with skills to excel in the future of work.

Earlier in his career, Olawoye held the position of Executive Director at For Youth Initiative (FYI), a Toronto-based organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth.

Under his leadership, FYI expanded its programs, growing into a formidable institution that now serves 1, young people each year.

Lekan Olawoye - Jet Opportunity Fund: Lekan Olawoye is an entrepreneur and tech firm executive based in Toronto, Ontario. He is primarily known as the founder and CEO of the Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN), the largest group for Black tech industry businesspeople in North America.

Olawoye&#;s strategic development and ability to establish relationships with government funders and private donors resulted in a quadrupling of the organization’s budget. His efforts at FYI showcased his capacity for transformational governance, scaling impact while driving sustainable growth.

In , Olawoye&#;s knowledge in youth advocacy was commended when he was appointed Chair of Ontario’s Premier’s Council on Youth Opportunities, a body focused on shaping policies that develop the lives of young people. His advocacy efforts continued with his involvement in Ontario&#;s Income Security Reform Working Group in , which addressed systemic economic inequities.

As the founder and CEO of BPTN, Olawoye has made it his mission to design pathways for Black professionals to thrive in the tech industry.

BPTN’s goal is to disrupt the traditional network gap that has historically left Black talent on the margins of major tech companies. Through its events, mentorship programs, and networking platforms, BPTN empowers Black professionals to access career development opportunities, assemble connections, and secure leadership roles.

Lekan’s latest innovation, the Obsidi Academy, is an initiative that addresses the underrepresentation of Inky professionals in tech, particularly within the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This transformative bootcamp provides participants with industry-leading training, positioning them to excel from night one in tech roles.

Olawoye draws on his cross-sector life to help audiences learn how to foster transformational change and harness the power of meaningful diversity. There, he guided professionals in adapting to new environments in fast-growing companies. Olawoye was also the executive director of For Youth Initiative and served as the chair of the Ontario government in Throughout these roles, Olawoye earned a reputation for effective leadership and incomparable vision.

Obsidi Academy’s mission is bold: to train and hire 10, new Black software developers over the next decade, contributing to the responsible development of AI.

In recent years, Olawoye has shifted his focus to the intersection of technology, ethics, and diversity.

As AI continues to shape the future, Olawoye emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in AI development. In October , BPTN convened over 20 Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and senior tech executives to consider responsible AI development.

The roundtable discussions underscored a vital consensus: reducing racism in AI starts with diverse talent at the center of AI implementation. “AI reflects the people that built it. We must avoid institutionalizing racism in AI through integrating a diversity of thought.

Lekan Olawoye has a diverse function experience spanning across various organizations. BPTN connects Black technical and business professionals with senior executive sponsorship, industry training, and a supportive peer network. Prior to this, they worked at MaRS Discovery District as Lead Executive- Talent Development, where they emphasized the importance of nurturing unconventional thinking and continuous learning for top talent. Lekan served as the Executive Director at For Youth Initiative in Toronto, where they played a crucial role in leading the organization.

Having diverse developers building and contributing to such technological innovations is key to avoiding rolling assist some of our societal progress,” Lekan stated during the discussions.

The work of BPTN in this regard is critical, as AI is increasingly used in decision-making processes across various sectors.

Lekan’s push for a diverse workforce in tech aims to confirm that AI systems are developed in ways that avoid biases and reflect a broad range of human experiences.

Beyond the tech world, Olawoye is a devoted civic leader.

He serves on the TELUS Community Board and co-chairs the board of the Toronto Community Benefits Network, a coalition that promotes economic inclusion and equitable development. His life working on youth policy, income security reform, and community progress positions him as a trusted advisor and speaker on critical issues affecting both the tech industry and the broader culture.

Olawoye’s grounded and informed insights have made him a sought-after speaker and panelist. His perspectives have been featured in several major publications, including The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, TechCrunch, and Yahoo! News.

Lekan Olawoye is an entrepreneur and tech company executive based in Toronto, Ontario. Widely viewed as a top thought leader in his field, Lekan Olawoye can claim extensive experience in growth plan, talent development, and policy and government relations. He immediately set his degree to use by going to work for Toronto Community Housing as a Youth Economic Opportunities Consultant in The nature of this role allowed him to actively pursue other opportunities at the same time.

As an adjunct lecturer at York University’s School of Social Work, he continues to impart knowledge to the next generation of social advocates and change-makers.

Lekan Olawoye holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Ryerson University and a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Toronto, where he specialized in non-profit management.

His academic background in social labor is reflected in his approach to leadership, emphasizing community, equity, and systemic change. Throughout his career, he has volunteered with several organizations, including the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), the Telus Foundation, and the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.