Exiled: Ayodeji Olaifa, KfW IPEX Bank
Today’s Exile is Ayodeji (DJ) Olaifa, Vice President, Senior Business Development Officer at KfW IPEX Bank. A seasoned financier, storyteller, and self-professed pan-Africanist, DJ approaches infrastructure with empathy, focusing on the impact that projects have on lives across Africa.
Welcome to Exiled, the podcast where we ‘strand’ a guest on a desert island and ask them who from their professional past, present, and future they’d choose to be Exiled with.
Today’s Exile is Ayodeji (DJ) Olaifa, Vice President, Senior Business Development Officer at KfW IPEX Bank. A seasoned financier, storyteller, and self-professed pan-Africanist, DJ approaches infrastructure with empathy, focusing on the impact that projects have on lives across Africa.
From his past
DJ selected Tim Langenbach, who he describes as more than ‘just a colleague’. Tim’s professionalism incorporates humanity; he isn’t afraid to understand people’s stories and how this can inform their need for critical infrastructure. Having travelled extensively together, DJ felt that Tim would be a great companion on the island.
From his present
Embracing the importance of bringing your humanity to work, DJ picked his daughter, Fikun, to join him on the island. Her unique perspective on life teaches DJ something new every day, and she’d be a refreshing presence on any island. And we’re not stingy - we’ve allowed him to sneak his son and wife in with him too!
From his future
Although they’ve not met - yet - DJ picked CNN anchor Anderson Cooper as his future guest. The world may be divided, but DJ respects Cooper’s ability to approach people with empathy regardless of their backgrounds. DJ’s looking to use his Exile to learn from people he admires!
Bonus round
Sticking with the theme of empathy and integrity, DJ’s bonus guest would be his late father-in-law. Describing him as one of Nigeria’s greatest legal and political minds, DJ would relish the chance to learn more about the empathetic, selfless man that he doesn’t have the chance to see any more.
Tune in next week, where we’ll be speaking to Beatriz Perez Perazo, International Legal Advisor at Global Recovery Group, live from our Americas conference in Miami!
