Akinkunmi Akinnola, MBA

- Developed, implemented, and directed programs and strategies that entrench DEI, and support the psychological safety of all employees. - Constructed and implemented Forester’s first-ever global DEI Strategic Action Plan, which supported the values, mission, and overall organizational strategy in increasing the sense of belonging for all employees and industry partners. - Measured, tracked and analyzed the effectiveness of DEI initiatives, reported progress, identified opportunities for new areas of focus and benchmarked Foresters’ progress. - Inaugurated a global ERG network for LGBTQ+, multicultural, women’s, accessibility, and black ERGs. Increased global ERG membership from net new to 14% of the global employee population within one year. - Constructed and implemented Forester’s first-ever Indigenous Engagement strategy, which supported building and maintaining relationships with over 10 Indigenous communities in Ontario and provided work opportunities for an exclusively Indigenous talent pool. - Provided executive coaching and perspective to the North America and UK Boards of Directors, CEOs, and executive committees in connection with DEI, guiding the executive team through defining corporate objectives and key performance indicators related to DEI. - Coached and advised executives and leaders, shaping their roles as champions and advocates for inclusion and belonging, internally and externally. - Designed, developed, and implemented the inaugural and sophomore DEI learning curriculum for people managers and independent contributors. - Collaborated cross-functionally with internal departments, including HR, marketing, legal, compliance, sales, and other operational leaders. DEI emerged as a key driver of engagement at Foresters globally in 2023, based on a global engagement survey with a 90% response rate. The DEI engagement scores consistently ranked among the top three favorability scores in the annual engagement surveys from 2022 to 2024.

- Established institutional accountability and business partnerships through thought leadership, stakeholder engagement, and media partnerships with national public sector partners, global multilateral organizations, and academic institutions, creating business development opportunities and achieving strategic growth objectives across North America and Europe. - Increased business deal sheet from an annual recurring revenue of $150K per quarter to $660K spanning Q2 and Q3 2021 by redesigning and diversifying the lead generation mechanism, stakeholder networks, and thought leadership linkages across North America (Canada, USA) and Europe (Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom). - Content developer for DEI learning resources and knowledge-share mechanism to foster in-depth knowledge of company products and identify profitable business opportunities.

- Managed, executed, and integrated corporate communications and marketing strategies across the Eastern and Western Canada offices by developing and deploying brand positioning, advertising, content development, and event management initiatives and opportunities. - Measured and communicated the impact of the IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) mandate to equity-deserving groups through external relations, media relations, and accountability partnerships. - Designed and delivered integrated marketing, public affairs, and digital strategy to strengthen brand recognition and achieve objectives and key results through multichannel communications. - Developed and delivered national IDEA-driven campaigns between CCDI and leading strategic and institutional partners, generating strong media impressions for the organization. - Lead consultant on learning development, inclusive language and employee systems review targeting equity-seeking groups for employer partners. - Supervised marketing activity via remote coordination with team. - Managed internal communications flow to ensure timely, structured, bilingual dissemination across 16 offices.

Strategic Communications & Head of Investor Relations 2019 (Strategic Comms. Manager/Corporate-Trade Finance Manager 2010-2019) (Trace Finance Sup., Logistics & Operations Super. 2007-2010) Selected by the EXCO for the Senior Leadership Program which guaranteed a growth career in many areas of Sahara starting in Operations, Trade/Finance, and then lead the Corporate Communications, Branding and Reputation area to ensure a strong financial reputation in the international energy and infrastructure conglomerate marketplace. Possesses exceptional project management skills to seamlessly manage teams and partners delivering branding, external and internal communications programs that exceed expectations. Worked closely with CFO to build an investor relations area parallel to the refresh of branding and financial reputation. * Strategic Corporate Branding and Thought Leadership Counsel * Cross-Functional Project Management * Corporate Citizenship & Public Affairs * Business Development Strategies and Reputation Management * Digital & External Communications * Internal Change Communications * Research, Analytics & Reporting

Reported to the CEO and senior leaders to build creative campaigns for Global CPG corporations, Government and Corporate clients within targeted B2C and B2B customers. Liaised with CEO to plot strategic direction of the firm to ensure a strong bottom line for the agency. Worked closely with CFO to evaluate project management and profit margins. Clients include: P&G, Diageo, Nestle SA, MTN Telecom, HP and Lagos State Gubernatiorial Campaign

Graduate