Dr. Fred Olayele is a seasoned economist, professor, and innovation leader with a diverse career focused on global business, finance, public policy, economic development, and academia. A senior strategic advisor to corporate and public sector executives, his expertise covers trade policy, innovation strategy, FDI, urban policy, political economy, and inclusive development. He has published and shared best practices in these areas at numerous conferences and institutions around the world.
He previously served as Chief Economist and Senior Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation — where he oversaw a wide range of economic policy initiatives to help position New York as a global model for inclusive growth and innovation. Prior to that, he advised the Canadian provincial governments of British Columbia and Saskatchewan across the FDI, economic development, and energy policy domains. Earlier in his career, he was a global trade finance specialist with Citigroup.
Professor Olayele has held academic positions and taught graduate and undergraduate courses in economics, strategic management, public policy, venture capital, and the finance of innovation across four Canadian universities. He has served as a visiting professor and guest speaker across universities and academic institutions abroad. He has consulted widely and advised several public, private, and development institutions internationally.
A Senior Partner with EIPG Development Partners — a boutique economic development advisory firm — he combines strategic insights and a rigorous application of theoretical and practical economic reasoning to provide expert advice and guide public sector and corporate executives. He is a Senior Fellow at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University.
Dr. Olayele serves on various boards and supports many social causes. Among others, he sits on the Academic Advisory Board of the Emerging Markets Institute, Cornell University, New York and on the Board of Directors of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. He chairs the Steering Committee of Blue Global Canada Institute and sits on the International Advisory Board of the International Economic Development Council in Washington, DC.
He holds a PhD in Economics from Lancaster University, United Kingdom, and an MA in Economics from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Olayele speaks, writes, and lectures internationally on global business, finance, development, and economic policy.
