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By Funsho Arogundade
Corporate fly girl, Modupe Olusola has embarked on a bold new chapter in her life. Olusola, one of the continent’s most visible and respected corporate leaders, is charting a new path as a fellow of the Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative. This honour —one of the Ivy League’s most prestigious fellowships— is coming after more than two decades at the helm of some of Africa’s leading institutions. It is a move that underscores both Olusola’s ambition and her commitment to Africa’s future.
“Being selected as a Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow is such an honour and truly, a defining moment in my journey. It’s not your typical academic programme. It’s designed for people who have already led major change in their industries and are now ready to take that experience into the world’s biggest challenges,” she said.
The Advanced Leadership Initiative is one of Harvard’s most elite programmes, admitting only a handful of exceptional global leaders each year as a launch pad for their next chapter of impact. Entry into Harvard’s ALI is highly competitive and reserved for accomplished leaders at the top of their fields who are committed to driving bold change.
Olusola brings over two decades of transformational leadership in finance, hospitality, agribusiness, and strategic business development across emerging and established markets. As CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, she led revenue growth, global brand recognition, and landmark projects. Previously, at United Bank for Africa, she drove pan-African marketing, digital innovation, and institutional banking for embassies, multilaterals, and development organisations in 24 countries. She also served as CEO of Teragro Commodities Limited, repositioning it as a trusted agribusiness partner to global brands.
For Olusola, 51, Harvard is not an endpoint but a launch pad. She described her next chapter as one of building bridges: between Africa and the world, and between resources and opportunity. The months ahead for her will be about deep inquiry, cross-pollination with global peers, and shaping a bold agenda for Africa’s future.
