EPS10 How Trials & Tribulations Prepare Leaders with Olasubomi Iginla-Aina MBE

Today’s guest is a woman who you should listen to and pay attention to. I hope you have a notepad to hand because you’re sure to learn a lot. Olasubomi Iginla-Aina is a recipient of the Member of the British Empire (MBE), Director of GNEC liaising for the Global NGO to the UN, and founder of the Lightup Foundation. She joins Omo on Power in Diversity to tell her story made up of faith, loss, trials and tribulations, and solutions. KEY TAKEAWAYS Olasubomi Aina is the Chief Executive Officer of Lightup Foundation, an NGO that helps young people advance in their careers. The organisation inspires young people by providing support, advice, as well as organising educational programmes to help them grow. Since its launch in 2000, Lightup Foundation has impacted the lives of people across Africa and Europe. Olasubomi has been involved in youth advocacy in Nigeria for over 25 years and played a vital role in the preparation of the first Youth Policy Document for Nigeria, the first in Africa. She has been involved in diverse international development projects and she has proudly represented Nigeria on the global stage through her works. Olasubomi believes that it’s the trials and tribulations she has faced in her life that has prepared her for leading others and solving issues. Those past experiences on her journey have placed her in a position where she knows how to handle something before it even becomes a problem. God and her faith is what guides Olasubomi through her life and gives her the strength to do what is right. He works through her and sees herself as clay in the hands of the maker. God has truly guided Olasubomi’s journey. BEST MOMENTS ‘God does not called the qualified, but he qualifies the called’ ‘I don’t want you to admire me to the point where you want to be like me’ ‘I’m always concerned about making things better, solutions, solutions, solutions’ EPISODE RESOURCES Olasubomi Iginla Aina MBE on LinkedIn Olasubomi Iginla Aina (@ainasubomi) • Instagram photos and videos Olasubomi Iginla Aina MBE. (@ainasubomii) / Twitter Light Up Foundation ABOUT THE GUEST Olasubomi Iginla-Aina is a mother of three, a humanitarian, and recipient of the Member of the British Empire (MBE) award. The award was given to her by Prince William, who represented Her Majesty, the Queen of England. In 2021 she was globally elected to become the director of the global NGO, GNEC and liaises with the UN. Olasubomi has consistently worked behind the scenes in touching numerous lives across the globe. She is the founder/CEO of Lightup Foundation, which provides succour, inspiration and empowerment to the youth of the world. ABOUT THE HOST Dr Omo Akoje Okonkwo is a practising Cosmetic Dental Surgeon working in Private Clinics in Surrey. Her passion for empowering her patients and team led her to Transformational coaching to bring about significant change in others. Her many skill sets and ability to motivate people quickly opened leadership roles for her, including Director of Health care Projects and Clinical Lead and Senior Tutor at the prestigious King College Dental Hospital. Along her journey, she faced numerous setbacks despite her passion, academic background and experience. Notwithstanding, her passion for excellence and growth led her to embark on an MBA at the Renowned Warwick Business School. Her desire to empower women steered her to conduct qualitative research exploring Gender, Leadership, and Identity. Her findings revealed what she had always sensed, the leadership labyrinth for female and ethnic minority leaders that exists. It is now Dr Omo’s mission to educate and equip individuals, organisations, and countries on the necessity, mindset, and steps to create inclusion at all levels of society. CONTACT METHOD IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.omo_uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-omo-okonkwo-65b8a542/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omo.okonkwo