Tolu Akindunni is a Venture Accelerator and Social Entrepreneur with 20 years of experience driving transformative change across complex global business environments. Her expertise spans digital transformation, emerging technologies, and strategic innovation, with a career spanning four continents. Tolu has held pioneering roles with global brands such as Saint-Gobain, Emirates Airlines, and the Rail Delivery Group (UK), fostering growth, agility, and customer-centric excellence.
Currently, Tolu is a key member of Saint-Gobain’s Central Innovation Team, where she reshapes the innovation landscape by driving capability building and strategic initiatives that accelerate revenue growth. As a trusted business partner, she is committed to cultivating a resilient culture and leveraging innovative business and service models to fuel success.
The Pop in Your Job (What moves you? Why do you love your job?)
What excites me most about my job is the opportunity to be at the forefront of pioneering transformation on an industrial scale. At Saint-Gobain, I’m deeply involved in shaping initiatives that will revolutionize markets for years to come, and I’m able to see these strategies deliver tangible results. I enjoy connecting the dots across different business units, influencing culture, and driving sustainable growth.
The dynamic nature of my role keeps me energized—I might be solving a problem in the U.S. one minute, and addressing a new challenge in Europe the next. I work alongside incredibly intelligent and experienced professionals, from PhDs to seasoned business leaders, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.
Beyond the business side, I’m driven by the chance to empower underrepresented communities. Helping them unlock opportunities with the right systems and structures is where the real pop in my work comes from, as it brings together multiple aspects of my career to serve the community.
Case Study
Monday, March 17
02:10 pm - 02:35 pm
Live in Everett
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Automated and generative AI is revolutionizing development at an unprecedented scale within today’s manufacturing landscape. It is not just an option but a necessity for staying competitive. Many projects are now leveraging both internal and external competencies to build centers of excellence. This presentation will delve into key strategies that enable innovation teams to successfully scale and embed these AI-driven innovations. By the end of this presentation, attendees will gain exposure to insightful case studies and practical nuggets of understanding to enhance their existing processes. Join me as I reflect on my decade at the forefront of innovation in manufacturing, combined with expertise from the digital and airline sectors. Learn about:
(5) CHALLENGE YOUR PEERS
Monday, March 17
04:35 pm - 05:35 pm
Live in Everett
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(4) World Cafe
Tuesday, March 18
11:00 am - 03:00 pm
Live in Everett
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Tuesday, March 18
03:30 pm - 04:00 pm
Live in Everett
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