Isioma Utomi never stayed in one place for long. Although born in Nigeria, she attended boarding school in England, received her bachelor’s degree in engineering from Boston University, and later, earned a master’s degree in digital media from Northeastern University. Her trajectory is both professionally and culturally unique, naturally taking her directly to the Salzburg Global Seminar in 2019, where she participated in a session on the impact of diversity in leadership.

“I loved meeting all these new people, all these people with great ideas of how to change the world. And it definitely influenced my own thoughts on how I could change the world,” Isioma said.

Growing up and living on three continents, Isioma was exposed to both the disparities and potential that existed for women from varying backgrounds. Her passion to make a global impact is rooted partially in her own trajectory, having overcome cultural barriers and significant professional changes, all as a woman. This unconventional journey from engineer to media specialist greatly inspired her to empower other emerging professional women, leading her to work at the Centre for Values in Leadership, where she dove into the world of non-profit work and leadership skills training.

“I definitely have a passion for women being successful in business and in life because obviously women have a great impact on their communities,” Isioma said. “And I think there should definitely be more space for women leaders in the world and especially for emerging African leaders.”

Her exposure to professionals dedicated to diversity in leadership at the seminar reignited this flame in Isioma, stimulating new ideas and challenging old expectations that impacted how she approached training. It also instilled in her a desire to provide the same life-changing experience of Salzburg Global to other women and rising, diverse leaders seeking to make a similar global impact.

“I give because someone gave,” Isioma said. “I was one of the recipients of a scholarship. And it made such a difference in my life and in my ability to enjoy the experience, to fully participate. And I would like to give back the same opportunity to someone else.”

For the next 75 years, Isioma hopes the seminar continues to thrive, spreading its message of global collaboration and thought-provoking conversation to build cooperative, empowering communities around the world.