Background
Professor Fred Olayele is a strategic global advisor and visionary leader driving impact at the intersection of public policy, markets, and social innovation. A seasoned global economist, university professor, development finance executive, and innovation strategy leader with a distinguished career spanning academia, business, policy, and the civic sector at the highest levels — he is a trusted executive advisor and board member to several mission-driven organizations. He combines strategic insights and a rigorous application of theoretical and practical economic reasoning to drive sustainable resource mobilization and public-private partnerships.
ACADEMIC PROFILE
Prof. 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: University of Regina, Mount Allison University, Carleton University, and Crandall University. A Senior Fellow at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, he has served as a visiting professor and guest speaker across universities and academic institutions abroad. He was a Visiting Scholar at the World Trade Institute in Bern, Switzerland, and a Visiting Professor of Trade and Development at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. He earned his PhD in Economics from Lancaster University, United Kingdom; an MA in Economics from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada; and a BSc (First Class Honours) in Economics from the University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria — where he emerged as the overall best graduating student. Prof. Olayele teaches management and economics at the Graduate School of Management, Crandall University.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Dr. Olayele is the founder and chairman of ECANY Capital, a New York-based investment advisory firm. He previously served as Chief Economist and Senior Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) — where he oversaw a wide range of initiatives and provided executive leadership to help position New York as a global model for innovation. Prior to NYCEDC, he was a senior partner with EIPG Development Partners, a boutique economic development advisory firm driving innovation for high-impact results. He has advised the Canadian provincial governments of British Columbia and Saskatchewan across the FDI, economic development, and energy policy domains. Earlier in his career before joining academia, he was a global trade finance specialist with Citibank.
GLOBAL STRATEGY ADVISORY
Prof. Olayele’s expertise covers trade policy, global finance, 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. A global strategy advisor and visionary leader driving impact at the intersection of public policy, markets, and social innovation, his global advisory work cuts across the US, UK, Spain, Canada, Africa, and several emerging markets and developing economies in the Asia Pacific and Latin America. He has consulted widely and advised several public, private, and development institutions internationally. Connecting knowledge and practice to drive systemic change through the quadruple helix remains his forte. He hosts the Global Recast podcast, a series of curated conversations with global leaders on grit, courage, and economic optimism.
Speaking Engagements
He remains active on the international speaking circuit both as a keynote speaker and panel moderator. He has lectured at numerous global business, policy, and innovation summits and conferences. His speeches and lectures cover a wide range of issues from innovation and public policy to development and global finance. A strategic advisor to key public and private sector leaders internationally, he provides deep insight into key themes on global business, policy, and economic governance.
BOARD LEADERSHIP & ADVISORY ROLES
Prof. Olayele serves on various boards and supports many social causes. A 2026 Global Leadership Fellow at Cornell University, he sits on the Academic Advisory Board of the Emerging Markets Institute, Cornell University in New York, and the International Advisory Board of the International Economic Development Council in Washington, DC. He chairs the Governing Board of Blue Global Canada Institute and the Board of Directors of the Economic Club of Africa Network. He also sits on the Board of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. He is a member of the Economic Club of New York.
