In our alumni spotlight series, learn about Harvard graduates' most meaningful experiences from college, and how Harvard impacted their professional and personal paths after graduation.
Hometown & Current City: Ibadan, Nigeria
House Affiliation: Quincy House
Concentration: African American Studies, Citation in French
What was your professional path after college?
After college, I worked on Wall Street. I found that Marketing was where I excelled. After a few years, I went to get my MBA and continued to rise through the ranks as a Marketing professional. I first became a Chief Marketing Officer in 2017 and have been the CMO of leading B2B, B2C, and D2C brands, including GE Business Innovations & GE Ventures, Carbon, and Peloton. I am now the Chief Marketing Officer of Autodesk — the leading technology and software company changing how the world is designed and made.
What fills your time now - professionally and personally?
My husband, William Treseder, and I are the proud parents of two young children. Raising them is our joy and our pride. I am very passionate about public health, women’s issues, and diversity initiatives. I am a founding member of the Black Executive CMO Alliance focused on developing the next generation of Black C-Suite talent in Marketing and beyond. I invest in startups founded by underrepresented minorities as part of the Sequoia Scout program. I serve as Chair of the board of the Public Health Institute. And I also serve on the board of Robinhood.
How did your academic experience at Harvard guide you in your post-grad pursuits?
Harvard taught me to be curious about the world around me. This has served me well. It has enabled me to effectively seek out opportunities that create other opportunities and lead to a life of impact, purpose, and fulfillment.
What was a favorite class you took and why?
My favorite class was the Introduction to African American Studies, which was then taught by Prof. Evelyn Higginbotham and Prof. Henry Louis Gates. This class opened my eyes to the realities of life as a Black woman in America and helped me realize how I needed to commit myself to improving the lives of Black women in every way I could.
Did you have any research/internship opportunities and/or professor/mentor relationships that were influential?
My social engagement thesis as part of my African American Studies concentration was instrumental to my success. I got to work closely with Prof. Evelyn Higginbotham who was an incredible mentor. She helped me unlock my potential as a community organizer and leader.
What were you involved in extracurricularly?
I was the President of Black Community & Student Theater (BlackCAST) and Executive Producer of Eleganza, the largest student-run student event. I also sang with the Fallen Angels Acapaella group.
How did your extracurricular activities impact your Harvard experience? And have they had an impact on your post-grad life?
My extracurricular activities brought richness to my academic life. It helped me realize there is life outside work and that to lead a successful life, I must develop a well-rounded life, positively impacting my community.
What is a favorite memory of Harvard House life?
My best friend Julia and I used to enjoy getting late night snacks from the Quincy House grille. This was a real treat for us, especially when we were up studying late working on a paper or preparing for a final.
What is your favorite Harvard tradition and why?
My favorite Harvard tradition is celebrating the annual Harvard-Yale game. It is always so much fun to bond with new and old classmates. I especially love attending with the Association of Black Harvard Women.
What advice do you have for someone applying to college?
Where you go to college is nowhere as important as what you do when you get to college. Choose a college that will allow you to grow as a full individual, and then focus on enthusiastically exploring your academic and non-academic passions. The people, the relationships, and the adventures are what make the experience one you will draw on in the years to come.