In this episode, we meet Dr Yekemi Otaru, a petroleum engineer. She was part-way through her Henley Executive MBA when she walked into a HR Director’s office and asked to move into marketing. Ever since, she has combined her strategic acumen with her heart for impact. Yekemi’s career journey is a testament to the power of personal development and strategic vision, resilience and reinvention.
‘Unfinished Business’ is the Henley Personal Development podcast. Hosted by Dr Chris Dalton, each episode is an invitation to join a conversation with an inspiring leader as they reflect on their lives, careers, and self-awareness. This is the personal side of management learning, which is a lifelong and emergent journey toward sustainable health and well-being for individuals, organisations, and wider community.
Many of those featured have graduated from Henley Business School’s top-ranked Executive MBA programme, and they represent a diverse set of nationalities, industries, job functions, and outlooks. What they have in common is a love of learning and passion for growth.
What barriers prevent us from reaching our full potential? How can fostering a healthy work-life balance enhance leadership? What role does personal growth play in driving organisational success? How can we contribute to a healthier community and environment? Join Chris and his guests as they tackle these questions, and more, as they navigate their unfinished business.
Dr Chris Dalton is Associate Professor of Management Learning and module convener for Personal Development at Henley Business School. He is also the recipient of a University Teaching Fellowship (2022-23).
Chris joined Henley Business School in 2005 and was Programme Director for the Distance/Flexible Learning MBA until 2010. He teaches on the Henley Business School MBA and DBA.
His research is focused on the use of reflection in personal development in post-experience management education. His first book,The Every Day MBA, was published at the beginning of 2015 and his second,Brilliant Strategy for Business, in 2016. In 2019, he publishedMBA Day By Day. His latest book,The Integrated Leader: a Foundation for Lifelong Management Learning, was released in 2021.
Dr Yekemi Otaru
Dr Yekemi Otaru (Henley MBA Alumnus)
is an award-winning entrepreneur and CEO at Somebody Cares Scotland, an Aberdeen-based charity that supports over 13,000 people annually. In 2021, she was appointed the Chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland, making history as the first black woman to take up the role at a Scottish university.
Her impact in this role goes far beyond the ceremonial — she is a passionate ambassador for education, diversity, and innovation. Recognised for her contributions to higher education and entrepreneurship, Yekemi was awarded an honorary doctorate from UWS in 2022.
She’s also the founder and CEO of YO Ventures, a consultancy dedicated to strategic marketing and transformative learning programmes.
Yekemi’s entrepreneurial prowess shines through in her co-founding of Doqaru Limited, Scotland’s first multi-award-winning sales enablement consultancy. Under her leadership, the company has achieved groundbreaking results, earning accolades such as the Service Industries Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2023 Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
A published author, Yekemi’s 2016 book, The Smart Sceptic’s Guide to Social Media in Organisations, reflects her forward-thinking approach to digital transformation. Her passion for mentorship and advocacy for women in business has inspired many, and her achievements have secured her a place among Scotland’s most influential leaders.
