Dr. Fred Olayele

Dr. Fred Olayele is a seasoned economist, global finance and development executive, university professor, and innovation strategy leader with a diverse career focused on global business, finance, public policy, economic development, and academia. He has held academic positions and taught graduate and undergraduate courses in economics, strategic management, public policy, venture capital, and the finance of innovation across four Canadian universities: University of Regina, Mount Allison University, Carleton University, and Crandall University.

He previously served as Chief Economist and Senior Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, where he helped position New York as a global model for innovation. Prior to that, he advised the Canadian provincial governments of British Columbia and Saskatchewan on foreign direct investment and economic development. Earlier in his career before joining academia, he was a global trade finance specialist with Citigroup.

A global trade and innovation leader, he serves on various boards and supports many social causes. He sits on the Academic Advisory Board of the Emerging Markets Institute, Cornell University in New York, and the International Advisory Board of the International Economic Development Council in Washington, DC. He chairs the Board of Directors of the Economic Club of Africa Network. He holds a PhD in Economics from Lancaster University, United Kingdom, and an MA in Economics from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada.

Professor Olayele speaks and lectures internationally on innovation, finance, public policy, and development. He is a member of the Economic Club of New York.