Omotayo Adeoye has carved a path of strategic leadership and consulting. From excelling as a chemical science student in Nigeria to advising senior executives across North America, Europe, and Africa, Adeoye is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and MBA graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and an alumnus of Bells University of Technology, Ogun State. She is helping organisations navigate complexity and accelerate growth through a sustainability-focused lens. In this interview, she speaks on her global consulting experience to shape strategies, build capabilities, and co-create solutions that enable long-term value and inclusive innovation.
Can you tell us about your background and what led you into management consulting?
My journey began with a deep love for problem solving, analytical reasoning, science and numbers, which led me to study Industrial Chemistry at Bells University of Technology in Nigeria. I graduated top of my class and developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills. I was also introduced to the business world through a course on SMEs in my final year. I became keen on adding value to businesses and helping businesses achieve their full potential, so I joined a leading consulting firm, where I provided audit assurance to the boards of global oil and gas companies by reviewing financial controls, verifying the accuracy of financial statements, identifying compliance risks, and assessing the effectiveness of internal processes to ensure transparency and accountability. There, I saw how finance could influence major industries like oil and gas. Then, I pivoted into investment banking where I deployed advanced financial models to support management decision-making at leading energy companies, shape strategic investment decisions, structure deals, and guide companies through transformation. That experience sparked a desire to work on global problems at scale, leading me to pursue an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
As a management consultant, I combine finance and strategy to help businesses solve their most pressing challenges.
What was a defining moment in your career?
There have been several defining milestones, but one that stands out is leading work on a decarbonisation investment fund for a global wealth management firm. We were tasked with identifying investment targets across sectors like transportation and retail, areas often slow to adopt sustainable solutions. I had to analyse emissions data, interview industry experts, and propose strategies to transition these companies toward zero-emission vehicles. At that moment, I realised finance could be a lever for systemic change. I saw how innovative investment strategies could influence how corporations approach sustainability, and that experience.
How do you navigate the challenges of being a Black African woman in global finance and consulting?
It’s a layered experience. Being Black, African, and a woman often means walking into rooms where you are the only one with your perspective. Early on, I learned not to shrink myself. Instead, I’ve focused on sharpening my expertise and showing up fully prepared. I’ve also leaned into community: mentors, peers, and support systems that help me stay grounded. At the same time, I’ve committed to being that support system for others. I founded a women’s group with members across five continents, and I actively mentor young professionals in consulting and finance. Representation matters, but so does accountability. We must build pathways that make it easier for those coming after us.
What impact are you most proud of so far?
It’s challenging to pick one, but I’m especially proud of two streams of work: one, my consulting engagements where I’ve helped secure significant potential growth opportunities for clients, and two, my volunteer work supporting SMEs. In the course of my work over the years, I helped lead a multimillion-dollar domestic bond issuance that was significantly oversubscribed. That was a testament to strategic storytelling and investor confidence. On the other hand, through a startup and small business advisory I once ran and another organisation where I volunteered, I’ve worked directly with entrepreneurs to build business models, secure funding, and access mentorship. One business I worked with went on to win thousands of dollars in government funding. I find meaning in high-impact boardroom strategy as much as in grassroots economic empowerment.
What trends excite you in management consulting right now?
One trend that excites me is the increasing integration of sustainability into core business strategy; not as an add-on, but as a value driver. Clients across sectors are seeking ways to future-proof their organisations while addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. As consultants, we’re now expected to bring sustainability insights to the boardroom in a way that aligns with financial goals.
Another key trend is the application of advanced analytics and AI in problem-solving. From diagnostic tools to scenario modelling, consultants use data more innovatively to uncover root causes and forecast strategic outcomes. It’s transforming how we deliver value. Also, clients are increasingly looking for consultants who understand strategy and implementation. The days of delivering a slide deck and walking away are over. We’re being called upon to support execution and capability building, ensuring recommendations translate into measurable impact. It’s an exciting time to be in consulting because the work is becoming more interdisciplinary, immersive, and impact-oriented.
What advice would you give to women looking to enter your field?
Firstly, don’t underestimate your voice or your value. Management consulting can feel like a gate-kept space, but expertise, curiosity, and consistency will always open doors. Build your technical and soft skills. Find mentors, but also build peer circles where you can grow together. Read widely, think globally, and remain deeply local in your understanding of context. Most importantly, be intentional. Your career doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It’s okay to pivot, evolve, and lead from wherever you are. Impact has many definitions.
What are the biggest challenges with being a management consultant, and how do you navigate working closely with top management at leading global corporations and across cultures?
One of the core challenges in management consulting is earning the trust and confidence of senior executives, often within weeks or even days of joining a project. These individuals have decades of experience, managing billion-dollar portfolios and deeply entrenched internal dynamics. You’re expected to add value immediately, not just by offering frameworks, but by bringing clarity to ambiguity.
Another major challenge is operating across different cultural contexts. I’ve worked with clients across continents. Every region has its unique expectations for communication, hierarchy, and decision-making. What works for a U.S.-based C-suite may fall flat in an Asian family-owned conglomerate. You must be culturally agile, emotionally intelligent, and a fast learner. Navigating this space successfully requires deep preparation, active listening, humility, and the ability to tailor insights to the client’s specific realities. I always aim to build relationships, not just deliverables. Ultimately, being a great consultant means co-creating solutions with your clients, not just advising them from a distance.
What was it like transitioning to life and work in the U.S. as an African immigrant?
It was a mixture of excitement, humility, and adaptation. Moving from Lagos to Chicago for business school and then into the U.S. consulting landscape required me to recalibrate constantly. You have to learn quickly, build new networks, and bring cultural humility while still owning your uniqueness. Immigrants carry this beautiful tension between resilience and reinvention. We know how to thrive in uncertainty. My Nigerian upbringing instilled a strong work ethic and deep sense of community, which continue to shape how I show up professionally.
Who are your role models or sources of inspiration?
Professionally, I admire Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her blend of technical brilliance, diplomacy, and long-term thinking. I’m also inspired by the entrepreneurial tenacity of African women leading change at the grassroots level. Personally, my parents have been my biggest supporters. They modelled integrity, curiosity, and selfless leadership in ways that continue to guide me today.
What books or resources have helped shape your thinking?
So many! ‘Factfulness’ by Hans Rosling made me rethink data and storytelling. ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ by Daniel Kahneman reshaped how I approach decision-making. I also love reading African literature. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Tsitsi Dangarembga, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o remind me of the richness of our narratives. Podcasts like Masters of Scale are also great for keeping up with trends.
What tips would you give young professionals looking to get into management consulting?
Start by being intellectually curious and developing a problem-solving mindset. Consulting is about helping clients solve complex challenges, so you must be comfortable breaking problems down and communicating solutions clearly. Focus on building strong analytical and communication skills. Both are essential. Also, don’t underestimate the power of storytelling; being able to frame insights compellingly is often what moves the needle. Get involved in case study competitions, seek mentors in the industry, and invest time in learning how consulting firms think, using frameworks like MECE, issue trees, and hypothesis-driven approaches. During interviews, authenticity matters as much as polish. Showcase your leadership experiences and how you’ve created impact, even in non-traditional settings. Finally, stay grounded. Consulting is fast-paced and demanding, but humility, adaptability, and a learner’s mindset go a long way.
What role do the African diaspora play in shaping the continent’s future?
A huge one. The African diaspora has a vital role, particularly from a management consulting lens. Many of us have access to advanced tools, methodologies, and networks that can significantly accelerate the growth and transformation of African institutions and businesses. Our exposure to global best practices gives us the unique ability to advise, mentor, and support African organisations in a way that bridges global insights with local realities. Whether working with governments on public sector reforms or guiding SMEs toward scalable business models, the diaspora can be a critical link between global expertise and Africa’s vast potential. We must be intentional. This is not just about giving back, but co-creating and co-investing in the continent’s future through strategy, innovation, and sustainable impact.
