Panellist at AIX: Transport and Infrastructure at RSA House, 9 to 10 June 2016
In her current role, Adefunke advocates for the overall sustainability and growth of the industry as a whole, and is the intermediary between airlines, the wider aviation community and the general public. She is responsible for conceptualising and delivering an ongoing campaign regarding the transformation of Africa’s socio-economic prospects through enhanced connectivity across the continent. Adefunke also heads the Women in Leadership initiative of IATA in Africa and the Middle East.
Since joining IATA in 2009, she has been involved in many key industry and leadership initiatives, including being chosen as part of a core group of senior managers tasked with revising the strategic direction of the global aviation industry, the re-organisation of IATA to better meet member and industry needs, and over the past six years, has participated as a national delegate at the Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to facilitate the global air transport industry position on environmental issues.
Adefunke began her career practicing law with FO Akinrele & Co, one of the leading law firms in Nigeria and commenced her foray into aviation early in 2004 as part of the set up team of Virgin Nigeria Airways.
Prior to joining IATA, she was a member of the Industry Affairs Committee, the global committee for inter-airline co-operation, who advise the IATA board of governors, the director general and other relevant IATA governance bodies on the regulatory and aero-political aspects of commercial, industry affairs and aero-political matters affecting international air transport.
Adefunke obtained her Master of Laws in International Commercial Law from University of Cambridge, read Law at the University of Lagos. She holds a MBA from the Nanyang Business School, NTU, Singapore, during which she also simultaneously completed a collaborative Advanced Management Program in aviation, leadership and innovation between the Nanyang Business School, Berkeley Haas School of Business, University of California and the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania.
She is an associate of the worldwide Institute of Directors, a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, a recent member of the Nigerian Leadership Network and an accomplished public speaker.