Ndidi Nwuneli's Bio
Ndidi is the Founder/C.E.O of LEAP Africa, a non profit organization, which is committed to inspiring, empowering and equipping a new cadre of African leaders. LEAP provides leadership training programmes and coaching services for business owners, social entrepreneurs, the youth and the public sector. It is committed to equipping these critical stakeholders with the skills, tools and support that they require to serve as change agents. LEAP also provides small grants to enable our youth participants commence change projects in their communities and holds the Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards. In addition to its core Youth and Business Leadership Programmmes offered in eight Nigerian cities, LEAP is engaged in the Africa Leadership Initiative's West Africa Programme, and the Africa Leadership Institute's Nigeria 2025 Initiative. LEAP has also pioneered training programmes on ethics and succession planning in Nigeria. LEAP's first book titled: "Defying the Odds - Case Studies of Nigerian Organizations that have Survived Generations" was published in April 2006. Its second book titled: "Get on Board: a Practical Guide for Establishing and Sustaining High-Impact Boards of Directors in Nigeria" will be released in May 2007.
Ndidi is also the founder of NIA (Ndu - Life, Ike- Strength, Akunuba - Wealth), a nonprofit organization committed to empowering female university students in Southeastern Nigeria to achieve their highest potential in life. Prior to establishing LEAP and NIA, she was the pioneer Executive Director of FATE Foundation Nigeria, a nonprofit organization which promotes entrepreneurship and business development. She also worked as a Management Consultant with the Bridgespan Group and with McKinsey & Company. During her time with McKinsey, she served the nonprofit sector and fortune 500 companies in the packaged goods, retail, pharmaceutical and insurance industries in Chicago, New York and South Africa . Ndidi has also worked as a Consultant with the World Bank, IFC, DFID, Ford Foundation's West Africa Office and the Center for Middle East Competitive Strategy in Palestine and Israel. In addition, she has served on Presidential Commissions in Nigeria, and as an adviser to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Development.
Ndidi holds a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School. During her time at HBS, she initiated the Annual Africa Business Conference. Ndidi received her undergraduate degree with honors in Multinational and Strategic Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Ndidi serves as a Director for a range of nonprofit organizations in the United States and in Africa, including the Chike Okoli Foundation, the Aart of Life Foundation and TaxAssistance. In addition, she is the facilitator for the Nigerian Economic Summit Group's Policy Commission on Governance & Institutions. Ndidi has received numerous honors and awards. She was recognized as a Global Leader of Tomorrow and Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland . She received a National Honor, Member of the Federal Republic, from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2004 and was recognized as the Young Manager of the Year 2005 by THISDAY Newspapers.
Ndidi speaks widely on the issues of leadership, entrepreneurship, youth employment and ethics. In addition, her articles on these topics have been published in local and international journals and magazines. Her first book - "Walking for God in the Marketplace", was released in December 2005. Ndidi is married to Mr. Mezuo Nwuneli and they have a son, Udenna.
Ndidi is the Founder/C.E.O of LEAP Africa, a non profit organization, which is committed to inspiring, empowering and equipping a new cadre of African leaders. LEAP provides leadership training programmes and coaching services for business owners, social entrepreneurs, the youth and the public sector. It is committed to equipping these critical stakeholders with the skills, tools and support that they require to serve as change agents. LEAP also provides small grants to enable our youth participants commence change projects in their communities and holds the Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards. In addition to its core Youth and Business Leadership Programmmes offered in eight Nigerian cities, LEAP is engaged in the Africa Leadership Initiative's West Africa Programme, and the Africa Leadership Institute's Nigeria 2025 Initiative. LEAP has also pioneered training programmes on ethics and succession planning in Nigeria. LEAP's first book titled: "Defying the Odds - Case Studies of Nigerian Organizations that have Survived Generations" was published in April 2006. Its second book titled: "Get on Board: a Practical Guide for Establishing and Sustaining High-Impact Boards of Directors in Nigeria" will be released in May 2007.
Ndidi is also the founder of NIA (Ndu - Life, Ike- Strength, Akunuba - Wealth), a nonprofit organization committed to empowering female university students in Southeastern Nigeria to achieve their highest potential in life. Prior to establishing LEAP and NIA, she was the pioneer Executive Director of FATE Foundation Nigeria, a nonprofit organization which promotes entrepreneurship and business development. She also worked as a Management Consultant with the Bridgespan Group and with McKinsey & Company. During her time with McKinsey, she served the nonprofit sector and fortune 500 companies in the packaged goods, retail, pharmaceutical and insurance industries in Chicago, New York and South Africa . Ndidi has also worked as a Consultant with the World Bank, IFC, DFID, Ford Foundation's West Africa Office and the Center for Middle East Competitive Strategy in Palestine and Israel. In addition, she has served on Presidential Commissions in Nigeria, and as an adviser to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Development.
Ndidi holds a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School. During her time at HBS, she initiated the Annual Africa Business Conference. Ndidi received her undergraduate degree with honors in Multinational and Strategic Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Ndidi serves as a Director for a range of nonprofit organizations in the United States and in Africa, including the Chike Okoli Foundation, the Aart of Life Foundation and TaxAssistance. In addition, she is the facilitator for the Nigerian Economic Summit Group's Policy Commission on Governance & Institutions. Ndidi has received numerous honors and awards. She was recognized as a Global Leader of Tomorrow and Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland . She received a National Honor, Member of the Federal Republic, from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2004 and was recognized as the Young Manager of the Year 2005 by THISDAY Newspapers.
Ndidi speaks widely on the issues of leadership, entrepreneurship, youth employment and ethics. In addition, her articles on these topics have been published in local and international journals and magazines. Her first book - "Walking for God in the Marketplace", was released in December 2005. Ndidi is married to Mr. Mezuo Nwuneli and they have a son, Udenna.
