From Small-Town Dreamer to Global Advocate for Women’s Empowerment: The inspiring journey of Omotola Omotayo
At PowerChronicles.com, we live to amplify the stories of fearless women changing the world in their own way. Today, we celebrate the extraordinary journey of Omotola Omotayo — a self-proclaimed go-getter, passionate tech community builder, and global advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
From a community where girls were discouraged from dreaming too big, to leading programs that empower women globally, Omotola’s story is proof that no one’s origin defines their destination.
From Marketing Hustles to Tech Trailblazer
Before becoming a recognized name in tech advocacy and community leadership, Omotola spent years in marketing and customer service while trying to secure a university spot. Once she earned a degree in Computer Science, she realized coding wasn’t her only calling — her passion was in people and connection.
“I started wondering, how can I combine people and technology?” she recalls.
That question led to her career as a Community Manager — a role that allowed her to champion people-centric tech initiatives for over seven years.
Building Spaces Where Women Belong
Omotola’s determination was tested during university, where she was often the only woman in tech study circles.
“I’d try to join coding groups and they’d say, ‘This isn’t your space,’” she remembers.
That early exclusion lit a fire in her to create inclusive spaces for other women, especially in tech. She found that opportunity with She Code Africa, a community she helped grow from scratch to over 60,000 women across Africa.
Beyond community-building, Omotola turned passion into action by launching initiatives that provided laptops, internet stipends, and educational resources to under-resourced women eager to learn tech skills. What started as a small idea for an anniversary challenge grew into a movement that’s since empowered over 2,000 community members.
Impact Beyond Borders
Omotola’s leadership journey didn’t stop there. As a former Developer Relations Manager at Chimoney, she advocated for developers’ needs and championed inclusive practices. Her work ensured that underrepresented developers had a seat at the table in product decisions and educational opportunities.
She also took on a leadership role with Outreachy, a global program that increases diversity in open-source communities. Through this initiative, she helped marginalized folks in underrepresented countries secure meaningful roles and contribute to global tech projects — creating opportunities that once seemed out of reach.
Speaking Up and Creating Visibility
Omotola’s influence extends beyond community projects. As a sought-after international speaker and mentor, she’s used her platform to amplify conversations around DEI in tech. Her coffee chat sessions became legendary safe spaces for interns and aspiring professionals to share challenges, receive guidance, and envision new possibilities for themselves.
“I remind myself of my ‘why’,” Omotola says about what keeps her motivated. “I think about where I’m coming from, where I want to go, and I find people I trust to remind me who I am when I forget.”
Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders
When asked what advice she’d give women looking to rise in leadership or break barriers, Omotola offered a powerful truth:
“It starts with you. How you see yourself is how the world will see you. Validate yourself. Believe you belong in the rooms you enter. You’ll fall sometimes, but you’ll get back up. As far as your eyes can see, you can achieve it.”
The Future: A Legacy of Impact
Looking ahead, Omotola envisions a world where young girls from overlooked communities can dream audaciously and act boldly. Through her latest venture, Elegance Media, she’s helping businesses and individuals optimize digital spaces while equipping women with vital skills to thrive in a digital world.
Her goal? To build a lasting legacy where generations of women can say, “Because Omotola did it, so can I.”
🔥 Rapid Fire Round with Omotola Omotayo
✨ One word that describes you: Go-Getter
📖 A book or podcast that changed your perspective:
The Accidental Community Manager — a book that perfectly captures the unexpected, fulfilling journey of leading communities, much like Omotola’s own.
👑 A woman who inspires you:
Her mother, who remains her biggest motivator, followed by her first mentor at She Code Africa who showed her what it meant to lead and serve at the same time.
💡 A mantra you live by:
“As far as your eyes can see, you can achieve it.”
🎯 What keeps you grounded:
Her why — the communities she serves, the women she lifts, and the reminder of where she started.
Final Thought
Omotola Omotayo’s story is one of courage, conviction, and collective empowerment. From creating safe tech spaces to advocating for DEI on international platforms, she proves that where you start doesn’t limit where you can go.
Connect with Omotola on LinkedIn and checkout her portfolio .
At PowerChronicles, we celebrate women like Omotola who are building doors where none existed and making sure the next woman knows she belongs too.
