Episode 54

Ayo Owodunni on the Canadian Immigrant Experience HR Inside Out – Demystifying HR & People Management | HR54

Originally from Lagos, Nigeria Ayo Owodunni immigrated to Canada in 2016 as an Economic Migrant. His initial experiences were not positive ones. He learned from these and now works with both businesses and individuals to change this. Canada needs the 500,000 immigrants scheduled to make Canada their new home per year. Ayo shares what we as their colleagues, and they as new immigrants can and should be doing differently to make this better for everyone.

About the Guest – Ayo Owodunni

Ayo Owodunni is a management consultant who brings over 10 years of experience in coaching, training and strategic direction to enterprise level clients looking to achieve big-picture goals while also focusing on diversity, inclusion, and cultural understanding in the workplace. His approach combines expertise, personal stories, and humor- all intended to break barriers and facilitate better communication between people at all levels of an organization.

His impressive client list spans a variety of industries and includes renowned companies such as Spotify, Canada Life, Microsoft, Thomson Reuters, CIBC, TMX Group and Hydro One to name a few.

Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Ayo shares his immigrant experience and offers tips on how others can establish themselves in Canada through radio show segments on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and CityNews Kitchener. Upon immigrating to Canada in 2016, Ayo overcame many challenges before finding his stride - challenges he today helps others avoid. He learned something new every step along his path to success and would later incorporate these pearls into his innovative training programs. Ayo's passion and natural talent for connecting with audiences shine through in everything he does

Ayo is also co-author of the book, Values, Culture, Period - Redefining the Value of Values to Drive Business Results and host of the podcast The Immigrant View: Helping immigrants thrive and soar in your organization. And he is the co-creator of The Ring: 4 Steps to transforming your organization through the power of your values & culture.

Ayo holds an MBA in entrepreneurship and a Life Coach certification. He serves on several organization boards, including immigrantnetworks.com, Leadership Waterloo Region, expedier.co, and Emergency Response Africa. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants.

Ayo was also recently elected to the position of Councillor in Ward 5, Kitchener, Ontario!

Connect with Ayo


Email:              ayo@ayoowo.com

Podcast:          The Immigrant View with Ayo on Apple Podcasts

LinkedIn:        (8) 🇨🇦 Ayo Owodunni MBA | LinkedIn

Book: Values, Culture, Period: Redefining the Value of Values to Drive Business Results by Cory Adkinson and Ayo Owodunni

Values Culture Period: Redefining The Value of Values to Drive Business Results (Volume 1): Atkinson, Corey, Owodunni MBA, Ayo: 9781777938109: Books - Amazon.ca



Resources Referred to in the Podcast


Immigrant Networks Who We Are | Immigrant Networks

Nick Noorani’s Seven Success Secrets for Canadian Immigrants Nick Noorani’s 7 Success Secrets for Canadian Immigrants (quepinos.com)

Podcast: Conversations That Matter with Stuart McNish and Guest Patrick MacKenzie Canada Needs Immigrants Conversations That Matter on Apple Podcasts (episode 421)

LLEAD LLEAD: Library & Information Sector Leader Development (libraryleadership.org)

Video: Magic – Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Employee Engagement MAGIC: 5 Keys to Unlock the Power of Employee Engagement - Bing video

Book: Magic: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Employee Engagement by Tracy Maylett and Paul Warner

Wheel of Life – free online assessment Wheel of Life | Free Online Assessment (noomii.com)

Executive Book Summaries Soundview Executive Book Summaries | 15-minute summaries and more (summary.com)

Book: The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups: Coyle, Daniel: 9780804176989: Books - Amazon.ca

Book: Canadian Workplace Culture: Mastering the Unspoken Rules by Matt Adophe Canadian Workplace Culture: Mastering the Unspoken Rules: Matt Adolphe: 9780986852848: Books - Amazon.ca


About the Host:

Susan has worked with people all her life. As a human resource professional, she has specialized in all aspects of employment, from hiring to retirement. She got her start as a national representative for a large Canadian union. After pursuing an undergrad degree in business administration, Susan transitioned to HR management, where she aspired to bring

both employee and management perspectives to her work. Susan holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Training. She retired from her multi-decade career in HR to pursue writing and consulting, and to be able, in her words, to “colour outside the lines.” She promises some fun and lots of learning through this podcast series. 

Susan is also the author of the book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from

Within available on Amazon – click below

Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within: Ney, Susan G: 9781777030162: Books - Amazon.ca


If you wish to contact Susan, she can be reached through any of the following:

Website:          Home - Effecting Change from Within

Email:               susangney@gmail.com

Linked In:         www.linkedin.com/in/susan-ney-197494

Facebook:        www.facebook.com/susan.ney.5/

Phone:            (604) 341-5643


Thanks for listening!

It means so much that you listened to this podcast!  If you know of anyone else who might find this series of interest, please share. If you have questions about this episode, please send me an email at susangney@gmail.com


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About the Podcast

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HR Inside Out
Demystifying HR & People Management

About your host

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Susan Ney

Susan has worked with people all her life. As a human resources professional she has specialized in all aspects of employment, from hiring to retirement. She got her start as a national representative for a large Canadian union. After pursuing an undergrad degree in business administration, Susan transitioned to HR management, where she aspired to bring both employee and management perspectives to her work. She retired from her multi-decade career in HR to pursue writing and consulting, and to be able, in her words, to “colour outside the lines.” She promises some fun and lots of learning in this, her podcast HR Inside Out: Demystifying HR & People Management. Susan also holds a Master of Arts in Leadership and Training.