Global Expansion and Cultural Intelligence: Gbemi Disu's Leadership Story

Summary

In this conversation, Gbemi Disu '06 shares her journey from launching a new campus for George Mason University in Korea to her current role as Vice President for Global Expansion at Northeastern University. She discusses the cultural challenges she faced in Korea, the importance of building relationships, and how her Thunderbird education shaped her career. Gbemi also reflects on the evolving landscape of higher education, the impact of AI, and offers valuable advice for students and alumni navigating their careers.

Gbemi Disu '06 is a global executive with over 18 years of experience in higher education, financial services, and energy sectors in several countries across North America, Asia, Africa and Europe. Disu’s global career includes working for fortune 500 companies such as HSBC Bank and Chevron Texaco and renowned research Universities. 

Her career includes working as Special Advisor for Global Engagement and Partnerships at Northeastern University where she supports strategic initiatives for the business school. She was also the inaugural Vice President for Global Network Expansion where she served as chief global strategist responsible for executing the institution’s growth strategy to expand beyond its fourteen campuses to new markets. Prior to Northeastern, she was the inaugural Executive Director of Carnegie Mellon University Africa where she provided administrative, strategic and operational leadership to drive the vision of educating future technology leaders and accelerating inclusive digital transformation in Africa. She also held multiple executive roles at George Mason University including the successful launch of their campus in Korea and was an assistant professor in the School of Business.

Disu is a multilingual global citizen who advocates for global prosperity and gender equality. She actively participates in a variety of programs that improve the plight of women such as the Goldman Sachs 10,000 women initiative and actively serves as a mentor for marginalized communities. Disu is a founding member of the University Global Coalition in partnership with the United Nations which aims to increase the awareness and role of higher education institutions on the SDGs. She also founded the award-winning CSR program ThunderCares, serves on several non-profit boards, is a frequent presenter at conferences and publishes articles on education, sustainability and gender related issues globally.

Disu received her Bachelor of Science in economics and international business from W.P.Carey School of Business and the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. She received her MBA in Global Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management, where she was the recipient of the Barton Kyle Yount Outstanding Graduate Award. She received her Doctorate in Global Leadership and Sustainability (H.C.) from London Graduate School.  Disu also holds multiple executive certificates from Harvard, Columbia and Oxford Business Schools. She is a Senior Executive Fellow from Harvard Kennedy School and a recipient of the prestigious Crans Montana New Leader for Tomorrow award.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbemidisu/

This podcast is sponsored by Freshwater Investments