Lola Adeyemi
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
Age: 45 +
“Passionate physician-scientist and advocate committed to driving impactful global health innovation and equity.”
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Family Members: Married to Olalekan with kids
Fun fact about yourself: I was born in a car! My parents’ car broke down en route to the hospital while my mother was in active labor. Thanks to a good Samaritan, I ended up being born in his car before arriving at the hospital!
Undergraduate School and Degree:
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria – Medical Degree
Johns Hopkins University – Masters in Public Health
Harvard University – Masters in Environmental Management and Sustainability
Where are you currently working? Government of Nigeria – Special Adviser on Research and Innovation
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
* Co-founder and COO, Magna Carta Health – a preventive digital health organization focused on preventing death, disability and disease with the aid of technology.
* Founder and CEO, Mentoring Her – a social networking platform that uses machine learning to virtually connect female mentors with mentees to foster personal and professional growth. The platform matches women based on their goals and interests, enabling them to build meaningful relationships and support each other in areas such as education, career development, and entrepreneurship.
* Johns Hopkins University Alumni Council Member and Mentor
* Advocate for equitable healthcare access, particularly in cancer care and research ethics.
* Avid traveler – has traveled to over 50 countries and aims to visit every continent by 2030.
* 2020 recipient of The Global Achievement Award from Johns Hopkins University in recognition of exceptional contributions to global health innovation, entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment.
* 2021 recipient of The Forbes Next1000 Honoree Award for innovative leadership in healthcare and technology.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of co-leading efforts to have all students’ voices in our cohort heard, be it for Women@EMBA or to foster understanding cultural differences. As a woman of color in the medical space and with Nigerian heritage, this was especially important to me. We partnered with the Community Builders and Speaker Committees to celebrate our cultural heritage. It was deeply rewarding to help create an environment where classmates could genuinely be themselves during our two-year journey. A personal highlight was performing my first spoken-word poetry in front of a supportive audience of my peers, which remains a treasured memory.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Serving as the Special Adviser on Research and Innovation to the Government of Nigeria. This role was an unexpected yet transformational opportunity during my MBA journey. Despite the significant personal challenge of relocating internationally, the support of my family made it possible. Advising the Ministers of Health and Education is a responsibility I deeply value. Over the past sixteen months, aligned with Nigeria’s presidential agenda, I’ve successfully enhanced the national research ecosystem, implemented digital solutions for ethical oversight, and fostered international partnerships to advance healthcare access and innovation across Nigeria.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? Every professor I’ve encountered has significantly enriched my knowledge, imparting lessons that I can never fully repay. I hold them all in the highest esteem, with special acknowledgment to the following:
* Professor Harry Kraemer, who teaches Executive Perspectives on Leadership, exemplifies value-based leadership and genuine humility. He consistently demonstrates through his actions the core principles I deeply admire.
* Professor Megan Kashner, who teaches Social Change Essentials: Methods, Money and Partnerships, has an unwavering passion for creating impact that extends beyond the classroom into all areas of her life. Her dedication to meaningful change reinforces my own drive to pursue impact-driven initiatives.
* Professor Sergio Rebelo brought International Finance to life with the elegance of a fine Porto wine; one he introduced to us with charm, while turning complex concepts like ‘puts’ and ‘forwards’ into a true art form.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I live closer to Wharton. While it was on my radar, I chose Kellogg because it is a globally recognized leader among business schools, distinguished by its collaborative leadership model, emphasis on leading with impact, global perspective, and practical integration of strategic frameworks. Kellogg’s extensive and accomplished network aligns perfectly with my ambition to drive global impact in healthcare. Additionally, the program’s flexible scheduling suited my professional and personal commitments. I would choose it over any other business school, now more than ever, having had the pleasure of experiencing Kellogg’s transformative culture.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The greatest lesson I learned is recognizing that effective leadership does not require having all the answers or skills myself but rather understanding my strengths and limitations. My role is to identify and empower others with the right skill sets. Emphasizing strategic agility, cross-sector collaboration, and investing in human capital has significantly improved my ability to successfully lead complex international projects and expedite the digital transformation of health research in Nigeria.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? Managing MBA classes, international professional responsibilities, and family demands required meticulous time management and prioritization. A memorable example was traveling to present at a conference in Europe about Nigeria’s healthcare research ecosystem, completing homework during the flight to meet a submission deadline, and simultaneously supporting my daughter through her high school applications. Shortly afterward, I traveled internationally with her for a field trip, returning immediately to Kellogg the next week, and then back to work thereafter. Experiences like these strengthened my resilience and efficiency and reinforced the critical importance of a supportive family network.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Clearly define your priorities and plan carefully ahead. I had a full year between admission and starting the program to organize my life. Declutter your commitments as much as possible, proactively communicate with your family and colleagues, and be ready to embrace flexibility. The journey demands sacrifice, but the professional and personal rewards will be profound and lasting.
What was your biggest regret in business school? My biggest regret is not having had enough time to deeply connect with every classmate. Our packed schedules filled with classes and events meant time passed quickly, and there were many remarkable people whom I wished I’d gotten to know better.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Julekha Khatun, Kiara Lane, and Dr. Arasi Maran for being unapologetically themselves. Each consistently speaks with honesty and clarity, demonstrating authenticity, strong leadership and intelligence.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? The Executive MBA provided unmatched opportunities for face-to-face interaction with experienced senior executives, immediate practical application of learned strategies, and deep networking opportunities essential for achieving my professional aspirations. A particularly memorable experience was meeting Anne Chow, the former CEO of AT&T, who spoke passionately to our cohort on “Maximizing Your Impact: A CEO’s Perspective.” Her message deeply resonated with me and, afterward, she generously spent personal time with me over dinner. This interaction allowed us to connect meaningfully, ultimately leading to a valuable and enduring relationship.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I financed my EMBA through personal savings and as a recipient of the Forté Scholarship from Kellogg. Additionally, careful budgeting and proactive financial planning significantly eased the management of tuition and related expenses.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term professional goal is to lead a global foundation or lead impact initiatives at a healthcare organization dedicated to equitable healthcare innovation, transforming healthcare systems in emerging markets, and ensuring high-quality, accessible healthcare for all.
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