Mary Ojulari is an accomplished business and finance executive with over 25 years of experience in transforming organisations, driving strategic growth, and fostering meaningful stakeholder relationships. She holds an MBA and is currently a Board member of an oil servicing company. She has also served at Board levels in renowned brands and businesses across multiple sectors, including media, automotive, and services, both in the diaspora and Nigeria.
Mary’s expertise spans financial management, strategic planning, and project leadership, with a strong focus on sustainable development and continuous improvement. Her passion for economic empowerment led her to establish the Mary Ojulari Foundation, which supports young people (aged 18-35) and women through initiatives in education, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and community engagement.
The foundation’s flagship programme, the Vanguard Fellowship, provides funding, mentorship, and training to aspiring entrepreneurs, enabling them to develop sustainable, impactful businesses that address local challenges.
A visionary leader with a commitment to social change, Mary combines her professional expertise with her dedication to uplifting communities, positioning her as a transformative force in the business and philanthropic landscapes.
What are some of the most significant transformations you have led in organisations, and what challenges did you face during those changes?
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of leading transformational initiatives in organisations across various sectors. One of the most impactful transformations I led was during my time with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and later at Mercedes-Benz, where I oversaw significant technological and operational changes.
At BBC, the transformation was largely driven by data analysis and technology, which streamlined departments and introduced value for money initiatives. However, the biggest challenge I faced was overcoming the resistance to change from employees. People were hesitant to embrace new technologies and modern ways of working. We overcame these challenges by using varied communication strategies, showcasing the tangible benefits and savings that these changes brought. This approach allowed us to demonstrate the value of change, gaining buy-in from teams.
Similarly, at CNBC and Forbes Africa, I played a key role in expanding operations across multiple African countries, including Ghana, Gabon, and Nigeria, by setting up new branches, again leveraging on technology to drive efficiency. The challenges in these expansions involved securing the capital finance needed and building teams that could drive the growth of the company. Through these experiences, I learnt how important it is to navigate both the human and financial aspects of transformation.
How has your experience in diverse sectors like media, automotive, manufacturing, hospitality and services influenced your approach to business and finance?
The breadth of my experience, from media, and automotive, to services, has been invaluable in shaping my approach to business and finance. At CNBC Africa, I was responsible for driving expansion projects across Ghana, Gabon, and Nigeria, which involved not only capital finance but also strategic team building and market analysis. In the automotive industry with Mercedes-Benz, I focused on adapting e-commerce and technology to improve after-sales services, an area previously underdeveloped.
My years in the automotive sector also taught me about the challenges of human capital management and the impact of government policies on industry growth, especially in light of tariff changes and the fluctuating costs of materials. In the non-profit sector, I have worked closely with the European Chamber of Commerce, where I spent four years as a Board member. This role deepened my understanding of stakeholder management and policy drafting, both of which are crucial in the work I do with my foundation today. Each experience has shaped my strategic thinking, allowing me to blend business acumen with a deep sense of social responsibility.
How do you navigate the dynamics of serving on Boards across different industries, and what unique perspectives do you bring to each role?
Serving on various Boards has given me a unique perspective on business leadership. I approach each role with the understanding that no two industries are alike, and therefore, the dynamics and strategies must be tailored to each. My approach is always one of collaboration and transparency. I make it a priority to understand the values and challenges specific to each organisation while ensuring that I bring a diverse set of insights and solutions. I also strive to bridge gaps between the business and the community, emphasising the importance of balancing financial goals with social responsibility.
A particularly enriching experience for me has been my part-time role as Operations Director in an oil-servicing company, preparing the team to go offshore. Being involved in this dynamic and complex sector has been an eye-opener. It’s the only sector where I have had the opportunity to learn at the Board level. While I bring my knowledge and experience to the table, this role has been a real learning curve for me, where I have gained insights into operations and strategy in ways I hadn’t encountered before. What is particularly fascinating is how all my previous skills have been required in this sector, but I also feel that the Board has been instrumental in my development, teaching me things I never imagined I would need to learn.
The Mary Ojulari Foundation
The Mary Ojulari Foundation is a non-profit organisation committed to empowering young people and women through enterprise solutions, scholarships, and community outreach. Our mission is to create opportunities for women and individuals aged 18–35 to succeed by providing financial support, mentorship, and technical assistance.
Through our core pillars of action, ‘Innovate, Advocate, Elevate,’ we aim to drive entrepreneurship and economic resilience while building stronger communities by embedding sustainability throughout our work. This includes ensuring the support we provide today has long-lasting, positive effects on future generations. Sustainability lies at the core of our approach, ensuring the long-lasting, positive impact of the support we provide today for future generations. Our goal is to cultivate a vanguard of change-makers dedicated to developing innovative solutions for Nigeria’s most pressing challenges while fostering a culture of paying it forward by empowering the next generation to continue this mission.
Tell us more about the Vanguard Fellowship and what is coming?
Building on my charitable works, last year, I founded the Mary Ojulari Foundation. The Vanguard Fellowship is our flagship project. It is a programme designed to empower young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 by providing them with funding, mentorship, and the tools they need to scale their businesses. The Fellowship offers a $5,000 seed grant to 20 of the best applicants, after a rigorous selection process. These fellows will also benefit from a two-week Ignite Boot-camp, where they will receive intensive training, guidance, and access to a network of industry leaders.
Additionally, we are building an ecosystem through our ‘Cultivate Incubator,’ which will provide ongoing support to the fellows over 18-24 months. The goal is to ensure they have everything they need to succeed, both during the fellowship and after. By the end of the first quarter, we aim to have our first 20 fellows selected, and by year-end, we hope to expand our intake to 100 fellows annually. This is only the beginning, we hope that the Vanguard Fellowship will come to serve as a sustainable model for economic empowerment.
How does the foundation hope to ensure that its initiatives, especially in economic empowerment, are sustainable and have long-lasting benefits for communities?
At the heart of our foundation’s work is the goal of empowering communities by building futures and transforming lives. Sustainability is central to this mission. We are not just providing funding, we are building a robust support system for our fellows. Through the Vanguard Fellowship, we are investing in a growth ecosystem that includes project coordinators who will offer support to fellows for 18-24 months. This ensures they receive the guidance they need to scale their businesses. After that period, the fellows will become part of the Vanguard Fellow Network, giving them ongoing access to a community of entrepreneurs, industry experts, and mentors.
By fostering this community, we are creating a self-sustaining network that can continue to provide value long after the fellowship ends. Our long-term goal is to empower 100 fellows per year, ensuring that we build a strong and sustainable foundation that nurtures innovation and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
Any challenges foreseen as you begin this? What is your solution plan?
Like any ambitious endeavour, we have encountered challenges. Our trustees come from diverse walks of life, and we planned to expand beyond work that we were already doing in the NGO space. The first challenge was to distill our collective knowledge and experience into a programme which wasn’t just to churn out numbers but was designed to make a meaningful impact on young entrepreneurs.
When we looked at the figures involved, it would have been easy to get disheartened, but we were determined to leverage our networks and professional expertise to raise the funds necessary for a programme which injects the vast majority of funds raised into investing in communities rather than overheads.
We’re conscious that the economic climate is currently unpredictable, and for many businesses and HNWIs this has meant scaling back on charitable activities. However, we have been very fortunate to encounter funders who see and believe in our vision.
We do still see long term sustainable funding as a potential challenge. However, we are committed to finding solutions through strategic partnerships, collaboration with government agencies, and building a strong support system with our corporate partners. We are also leveraging our network of stakeholders to ensure we have the resources and infrastructure necessary to overcome any obstacles.
Why did you choose to focus your foundation’s efforts on young people, women, and most especially community?
The focus on young people, women, and communities stems from my deep personal experiences and the knowledge I gained over the years. Nigeria’s youth population is its greatest asset, yet many young people face significant barriers to achieving their dreams. I have seen this firsthand through my outreach work, including my experiences during the 2023 election season. I met with market traders, artisans, and young entrepreneurs, many of whom had brilliant ideas but lacked the resources to bring them to fruition.
Empowering young people and women to become entrepreneurs can provide a solution to this challenge. I wanted to create an environment where these individuals can thrive, where their businesses can solve problems in their communities, and where they can contribute to a sustainable economy.
How do you identify which local challenges to address through the foundation’s initiatives, and how do you measure success in those areas?
We take a hands-on approach to identifying local challenges by directly engaging with people in the communities we serve. Over the past few months, we have reached out to all 20 local government areas across Lagos, speaking to residents and gathering data on the issues that matter most to them. This direct engagement allows us to better understand the real needs on the ground, from unemployment to inadequate access to education and healthcare.
Our success will be measured by the tangible impact we have on people’s lives. For example, we will track the growth and sustainability of businesses launched by our fellows, the number of jobs created, and the overall social impact generated by our initiatives. Success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about the transformation we can bring to the communities we work with.
Looking ahead, what changes do you hope to see in the landscape of philanthropy and economic empowerment in Nigeria over the next decade?
I hope to see a shift towards more grassroots-driven initiatives, where communities are not just recipients of aid, but active participants in their own development. The future of philanthropy in Nigeria needs to focus more on empowering local leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who can create sustainable, long-term impact.
We also need to see greater collaboration between the government, businesses, and non-profit organisations to ensure that economic empowerment initiatives are fully supported and integrated into the larger national development plan. I believe this approach will foster an environment where entrepreneurship and innovation can thrive.
How do you intend to cultivate future change-makers within the communities you serve, and what role do you think mentorship plays in this process?
Mentorship plays a critical role in shaping future change-makers. At the Mary Ojulari Foundation, we understand that simply providing funding isn’t enough, we must also invest in the personal and professional growth of the individuals we support. Through our fellowship programme, each participant will get a mentor who guides them throughout the process, from business development to navigating the challenges of running a sustainable enterprise.
We also provide access to a wider network of industry experts who share their knowledge and experiences. This ecosystem of mentorship ensures that our fellows are not just equipped with capital, but with the wisdom and advice needed to make informed decisions and scale their businesses.
What inspired you to establish the Mary Ojulari Foundation, and what keeps you motivated in your philanthropic efforts?
The Mary Ojulari Foundation was born out of my own personal experiences. After losing my father, just before I started university, I was supported by my uncle, Diji Olatokun, and this support was life-changing. It made me realise the immense value of giving-back and the power of investing in young people’s future.
Since then, I have worked in various sectors, learnt countless lessons, and had the privilege of helping others along the way. What keeps me motivated is knowing that the work we are doing has the potential to change lives. Our foundation focuses on the grassroot level and strives to empower those who may not otherwise have access to the opportunities they deserve. Whether it’s through grants, seed funding or mentorship, we are equipping young people and women with the tools they need to build successful businesses and achieve their dreams.
What advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to make a significant impact in their communities?
My advice to young professionals is simple: start where you are, with what you have, and never underestimate the power of small steps. You don’t need a large platform to make a difference, you just need a clear vision and the determination to act. Stay true to your values, build meaningful relationships, and remember that success is not just about financial gains but about the positive impact you can create in the lives of others.
How important is it to give back?
Giving back is crucial. It’s not just about donating money or resources, but about sharing your time, expertise, and opportunities. The more we give, the more we create a cycle of support that uplifts communities and helps break the cycle of poverty. It is a fundamental part of being human, helping others is the key to building a better, more inclusive society.
What impact do you want your foundation to have whenever people see or hear of it?
When people hear about the Mary Ojulari Foundation, I want them to think of an organisation that is deeply committed to creating real, lasting change in communities. I want them to associate the foundation with integrity, empowerment, and sustainable development. Most importantly, I hope they see us as an organisation that is not just about talking, but about taking action, making a tangible difference in the lives of young people, women, and communities.
Concluding words
The journey we have embarked on with the Mary Ojulari Foundation is one that is deeply personal and profoundly impactful. We are committed to empowering communities, building futures, and transforming lives through sustainable initiatives. We believe that with the right support, education, and mentorship, we can unlock the potential within Nigeria’s youth and women, ensuring they thrive as entrepreneurs and change-makers. We are just getting started, but with each step, we are creating a brighter future for all.
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