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, he has had a distinguished career spanning academia, business, policy, and the civic sector at the highest levels. He has held academic positions and taught across four Canadian universities: University of Regina, Mount Allison University, Carleton University, and Crandall University.
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. 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 previously served as Chief Economist and Senior Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, where he helped position New York as a global model for innovation. Prior to that, he advised the Canadian provincial governments of British Columbia and Saskatchewan on foreign direct investment and economic development. Earlier in his career before joining academia, he was a global trade finance specialist with Citibank.
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 Board of Directors of the Economic Club of Africa Network. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, a member of the Economic Club of New York, and a Global Leadership Fellow at the Emerging Markets Institute, Cornell University.
Professor Olayele speaks and lectures internationally on innovation, finance, public policy, and development. He teaches management and economics at the Graduate School of Management, Crandall University. 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.
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.