When I first came across Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede online in a bellanaija feature, one thing that struck me the most about Yetunde is the fact that she became a Professor at the age of 27. I was inspired, motivated and challenged to chase my dreams fiercely. I went crazy over her; downloaded every picture I could find of her on the internet, watched, read and listened to her videos and interviews and I can boldly say that Professor Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede is what I will call a 6 in one woman. I’ll explain.

Yetunde has 6 major roles she occupies

1. Adjunct Professor of Political Sciences and Global Affairs
2. Founder and CEO, Yetunde Global Consulting
3. Women Empowerment Philanthropist – (Founder, Young Women’s Guide Inc., Creator, Putting Your Best Self forward online forum.)
4. Wife
5. Mother
6. Author – Young Woman’s Guide

She was born and raised in New Jersey, US. She is a dynamic and motivational global speaker. She has built an empowerment movement and leadership brand that empowers, trains and equips people from all walks of life to be better leaders.

She inspires, encourages, motivates, challenges and supports people and her brand umbrella reaches thousands of women around the world. Her commitment to supporting women whether it’s through coaching, consulting, training, speaking, workshops or through her community space is encouraging other women do the same.

5 Practical Lessons we can learn from Yetunde

Confidence

Yetunde is very often described as a confident woman and that confidence has always given her a place in different leadership capacities; increasing her favorable influence at every favorable occasion.

You are not going to let shyness and fear of the unknown stop you from achieving your goals now are you? Let’s take a cue from Yetunde, don’t try to be confident, BE CONFIDENT and do it today; do something you ordinarily wouldn’t have been able to do and let me know how it goes.

Invest in yourself

Yetunde is a graduate of the United Nation Worldview Institute, an executive training programme for global business professionals in the field of Global Business and International Affairs. She is also a New Leaders Council Fellow among many other things.

When was the last time you enrolled in a program or attended a conference to learn and grow in line with your chosen career path or business? If you don’t invest in yourself, how are you going to attain that coveted title or role? Please identify a conference/fellowship or program you want to attend and go for it!

Develop your leadership abilities by leaning in

Yetunde has a track record of leadership and responsibility.  She was

• Captain of her high school’s basketball team
• Captain of the Varsity cheer-leading team
• President of the student government
• President of Rutgers University Student Association of Global Affairs and Vice-President of Rutgers Graduate Student Government Association.
• She was the President and founding member of Sigma Lota Rho National Honor Society for International Relations Rutgers University Chapter.
• Founder of the poetry club and the Assistant Editor for Public Performance and Management Review.

Some of us run away from leadership positions like it’s a plague, or sit in the corner of the class/office hoping and waiting to be offered the opportunity to lead. That’s not going to work. We see that Yetunde started leading from high school. Little wonder how she’s become an excellent leader of positive change whose influence is impacting lives. Make a choice to lean in to leadership opportunities today!

Join networks of serious minded people and great causes

Yetunde is a member of the following among others;

• The 101% society Young Professionals in Foreign Policy
• United Nations Association of New York
• Young Professionals for international cooperation
• Volunteer at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual and University meeting.
• Member, Global Women Leadership Collaborative.

Remember the scripture that says “He who walks with the wise shall become wise”?? Evaluate your current network. Will they lead you to where you want to be? Are you identifying yourself with the “wise”, are you building your portfolio for greatness? Let’s take a cue from Yetunde, adjust your circle today.

Pay it Forward

Yetunde believes in the power of paying it forward and does so by paving an empowering future for the next generation. She is the founder and Executive Director of Young Women’s Guide an organization that provides young women with the tips, tools and resources needed to live a meaningful, purposeful and impactful life. She provides personal and professional advice through her online forum, putting your best self forward. She believes that some people paid the price for us to be successful in this day and age and so it is therefore our responsibility to ensure that the next person is given a chance to make a success.

Have you ever thought about doing something for someone else? My mentor once said; “you don’t lose your way when you help others find their way” No, you don’t have to set up a foundation or initiative yet. You can pay it forward by doing something as little as sharing this article with your friends, family and the world by posting a link to it on your various social media platforms. It’s that simple.

Just how Influential and Successful is Yetunde?

• She has been teaching political science and global affairs college courses since the age of 25years while in graduate school, working on her PhD which will be completed this year.
• She has been invited to the World Bank to speak at conferences and summits. Including the United Nations World Conference on the status of women, advocating for programs that will empower girls in Africa to realize who they really are.
• She has been hosted by various leaders in the Nigerian government from the First lady of Lagos State Hon. Mrs. Fashola to the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs – Iyom Josephine. She was also hosted by Nigeria’s 1st lady, Dame Patience Jonathan in Abuja, and other leaders who believe in her message of positive change, especially for the Youths and Women.
• She has made an incredible impact that has attracted so many people of prominence to her including the former President of the United States of America, President Bill Clinton, whom she has met with personally.
• She has been listed as one of the 30 most intriguing Africans in New York by Applause Africa Magazine.
• She has been chosen as 1st out of the 20 most outstanding Nigerians by Eminent Leaders Magazine.
• She was honored the 2013 Young Humanitarian Award by the Nigerian Healthcare Foundation in New Jersey.

At the young age of 28, Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede has indeed maximized grace and time to become very influential. She has shattered the glass ceiling of the political, economic, business, academic and professional world in a most graceful way. She is happily married to her best friend, Osahon Omede, COO and Managing Director of Sammed Protective Services.

There so much that you and I can accomplish here on earth in line with our given purpose. Yetunde has shown that we can do and be anything we set our minds on with hard work determination, strategic moves. Start making them today.

You can visit her website here here  

Purchase her book “Young Womans Guide” online here

Join the putting your best self forward online forum here here

This post was culled from the Thresh woman WCW Column. The ThreshWoman WCW is a column I manage with the goal to celebrate and encourage the successes of women all around the world while inspiring other women to chase their dreams fiercely.