Oladapo Olaluwoye, Georgia Terry MBA Class of 2028
Age: 32
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Undergraduate Institution & Major: Osun State University — B.Sc. Accounting
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 8+ years in accounting and audit (Big Four). Senior Audit Manager at KPMG leading SEC-listed engagements. CPA, ACCA, ACA.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After spending over eight years in accounting and audit, I reached a point where I wanted to expand beyond evaluating financial reporting to actively shaping business strategy. My vision is to position myself as a complete “one-stop shop” across accounting, audit, internal controls, and corporate finance; a holistic business leader who can connect technical compliance and risk management directly to executive strategy and financial value creation.
My background at KPMG and my CPA, ACCA, and ACA credentials have given me a solid technical foundation in financial reporting, audit, SOX, internal controls, risk assessment and compliance. However, becoming a comprehensive partner to executive leadership requires building equal depth across corporate strategy, financial management, advanced analytics, and cross-functional leadership. An MBA is the ideal pivot point to combine my diagnostic accounting background with the strategic toolkit needed to drive end-to-end business solutions.
The timing was also critical. I have sufficient real-world management experience to understand complex corporate problems, evaluate risks, and lead teams, but I am early enough in my career to intentionally broaden my trajectory toward strategic finance and executive leadership
Why did you choose UGA Terry? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
UGA Terry stood out because it offered the exact balance I was seeking: rigorous academics, a close-knit, collaborative community, and an environment tailored to meaningful professional transformation.
I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to integrate finance, strategy, and analytics rather than viewing them as isolated disciplines. Coming from an accounting background, I already understand financial mechanisms, but I wanted to master how financial insights drive operational strategy and data-informed decision-making.
The community was the deciding factor. In every interaction with Terry students and alumni, I saw a culture where people were genuinely invested in each other’s success. I wasn’t just looking for a top-tier credential; I wanted a collaborative ecosystem where I could learn alongside peers with diverse perspectives.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
A combination of technical depth, leadership, and a global perspective.
In audit, I spent years analyzing how businesses operate across different industries, interrogating assumptions, identifying operational risks, and managing high-stakes client engagements under tight deadlines. I bring a rigorous analytical mindset that asks tough, structured questions. I’m excited to blend that diagnostic audit background with the forward-looking mindset of a strategist and operator.
Additionally, starting my journey in Nigeria and building a career in the U.S. has given me a cross-cultural perspective on business and adaptability that I’m eager to share in classroom discussions.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I have played competitive amateur soccer in Atlanta for several years, and when I am not on the field, I enjoy studying financial markets and global economic trends. Both hobbies appeal to my competitive nature and love of strategic thinking. I also enjoy traveling and experiencing new destinations through local food markets and culture rather than standard tourist itineraries.
Post-MBA career interests:
My goal is to position myself as a comprehensive “one-stop shop” across accounting, audit, internal controls, and corporate finance. Post-MBA, I am targeting strategic leadership roles within management consulting, corporate strategy, strategic finance, and analytics-driven decision-making.
By combining my deep expertise in accounting, audit, and risk management with strategic financial planning and analytics, I aim to serve as a complete advisor to C-suite leadership, not only ensuring operational and financial rigor, but actively guiding where the business goes next.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would spend significant time clarifying my core why before writing a single word of my essays. Once I had complete clarity on my goals and motivations, every application component from school selection to interviews, became authentic and seamless. I’d also repeat doing informational chats with current students; those candid conversations reveal a program’s true culture far better than a website.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Start earlier to allow more time for quiet reflection. The hardest part of the process isn’t listing your achievements; it’s connecting the threads of your past experiences into a compelling narrative about where you’re headed.
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could and what helped you get through it?
The underlying uncertainty of the waiting period. What got me through was focusing entirely on controllable inputs, telling an honest, compelling story and trusting the preparation.
What is your initial impression of the UGA Terry students/culture/community?
Authentic, warm, and highly supportive. From day one, the willingness of classmates and alumni to share insights, offer guidance, and champion one another has proven that Terry’s emphasis on community isn’t just a marketing point; it’s the culture.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I am particularly interested in the Terry Finance Club, Consulting Club, Graduate Business Association, Black in Business, and opportunities within the Terry Leadership Society. These organizations align with my long-term interests in strategy and finance while also providing opportunities to build meaningful relationships, learn from second-year students, and contribute to the broader MBA community.
What is one thing you have learned about UGA Terry that has surprised you?
How interconnected the network is beyond the classroom. The emphasis placed on building lifelong relationships, not just finishing coursework has been a welcome standard.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about learning alongside an accomplished and diverse group of classmates. The opportunity to challenge my assumptions, develop new perspectives, and build lifelong relationships may ultimately be just as valuable as the classroom experience itself.
