Cummins Inc., a Fortune 500 company, has appointed Nigerian-born strategist Oluwapelumi David Kolade as Product Manager in its clean-tech division, Accelera by Cummins. The appointment follows his contributions during an internship where he developed data-driven financial models and a Total Cost of Ownership tool to guide global customers in adopting clean-energy technologies.

Kolade, who began his career building consumer brands in Nigeria, has led marketing campaigns that delivered significant growth at Unilever, Reckitt, and Cadbury. At Unilever Nigeria, he managed the Sunlight brand, spearheading a campaign that drove 35 percent net revenue growth—over €37.5 million ($44 million)—and secured multiple national awards.

Industry colleagues highlight his ability to merge strategy with execution. “Pelumi consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to turn challenges into opportunities,” said Adetoun Adegbite, Senior Brand Manager at Campbell’s Company, who previously worked with him at Unilever and Reckitt. “What stood out was his mix of consumer empathy and strategic clarity.”

After moving to the United States in 2023 for an MBA in Business Analysis at Georgia State University, where he graduated with a 4.09 GPA, Kolade’s leadership extended beyond the classroom. He served as President of the Graduate Business Association, representing nearly 1,500 students across 18 programs, and earned recognition at national business case competitions.

Reflecting on his cross-border journey from Nigeria to the United States, Kolade noted the influence of his early professional experiences. “Africa forces you to think differently,” he said. “You innovate within constraints and design solutions that respect culture, affordability, and aspiration.”

Now based in Indiana, Kolade’s role at Accelera places him at the center of strategies shaping clean-energy adoption globally, marking another milestone in a career that bridges African consumer markets and U.S. industrial innovation.