About Me
"I'm in a season of strategy and storytelling..."
After a decade in global executive leadership, I'm building a life I don't need to escape from. One where impact doesn't require burnout. One where my story gets to be mine.
Leading with Purpose, Living with Intention
Tope Ajala is a Global Impact and Culture Strategist, podcast host, and transformational leader known for pushing boundaries at the intersection of equity, leadership, and innovation. With more than a decade of experience spanning marketing, operations, and change management, she brings a cross-functional lens to embedding culture into business strategy—proving that authenticity and profitability aren't mutually exclusive.
Born in Nigeria and raised in the UK, Tope's global perspective has been shaped by living and working across continents—from London to Germany, Singapore, Japan, India, Dubai, and San Francisco. Each experience has deepened her understanding of what it means to create truly inclusive spaces in our interconnected world.
Transforming Corporate Culture
As the former Global Chief Inclusion & Impact Officer at Ogilvy, Tope led groundbreaking initiatives that redefined how Fortune 500 brands approach inclusion. Her work reached more than 100,000 employees worldwide through the Modern Exchange, bespoke Belonging trainings, and global supplier diversity councils. She pioneered the industry's first executive development program for Black men and created frameworks that fundamentally shifted organizational culture from the inside out.
But Tope's impact extends far beyond corporate walls. Her early career in data systems, operations, and strategy—overseeing mergers and acquisitions, optimizing business systems, and building data-informed solutions for both people and finance functions—gave her the analytical foundation to prove that diversity isn't just the right thing to do; it's the smart business decision.
Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers
I've led teams across continents, shaped culture for Fortune 500 brands, and learned that the most powerful leadership comes from wholeness, not hustle. Now, I'm here to help bold individuals and forward-thinking brands do the same.
As the Founder of Levelset, Saif-Hands, and To A Teee, Tope continues to shape inclusive ecosystems and amplify underrepresented voices. Through these ventures, she creates pathways for the next generation of leaders while building communities that transcend traditional boundaries.
Recently named one of the 2025 50 Women to Watch for Boards by 50/50 Women on Boards, Tope speaks to leaders who are tired of performative inclusion—to brands that understand culture isn't just a buzzword, it's the blueprint for sustainable success.
The Power of Authentic Conversation
As a podcast host, Tope explores the intersections of leadership, identity, and purpose, creating space for bold, human-centered conversations that challenge conventional wisdom. Her platform amplifies voices that often go unheard and tackles the nuanced topics that shape how we navigate professional careers and personal journeys.
Her approach is refreshingly honest: she speaks to women who've climbed every ladder and are ready to build their own, to leaders seeking impact without burnout, and to organizations ready to move beyond checking boxes toward creating genuine belonging.
Beyond the Boardroom
Outside of her professional work, Tope is a passionate mental health advocate, active volunteer, and avid traveler who finds balance through surfing, reading, and yoga. Her commitment to wellness isn't just personal—it's professional, as she champions the idea that sustainable leadership requires leaders who prioritize their own well-being.
Travel remains one of her greatest teachers, with each destination offering new perspectives on culture, community, and connection. As a dedicated philanthropist and advocate for women's safety and empowerment, she believes in using her platform to create meaningful change that extends far beyond corporate America.
The Mission Forward
In a world that runs on cultural influence, Tope asks the essential question: who gets to tell the story? Her work centers on ensuring that the answer includes voices that have historically been marginalized, perspectives that challenge the status quo, and leaders who understand that true power comes from lifting others up.
Whether through intimate gatherings designed to foster personal and professional growth, speaking engagements that challenge industries to do better, or strategic consulting that transforms organizational culture, Tope's work is rooted in one fundamental belief: we all deserve to thrive.
Ready to build something extraordinary together? Let's connect and create the change our world needs.