Don’t let self-doubt stop you from reaching for your dreams. What’s the worst that can happen? That’s what I always say to myself in every opportunity that I’m given.
If you ask anyone who knows her, Gigi Adetunji is the sort of person who never lets an opportunity pass her by. A proud member of the 2020 Leadership By Design (LBD) cohort, and a graduate of Craig Kielburger Secondary School in Milton, Ontario, Gigi’s story is one of growth, resilience, and making meaningful connections.
Finding Her Voice with Leadership By Design
Gigi’s leadership journey began when her Grade 9 science teacher introduced her to the LBD program. She dove into volunteering and public speaking roles, sharpening her communication abilities and gaining confidence. “It was a turning point for me,” Gigi recalls. “LBD taught me the importance of believing in myself and made me stand out among my peers.” The program became her launchpad for personal and academic development.
Learning, Leading, Connecting
Now in her third year of Commerce studies at University of Ottawa, Gigi credits LBD for much of her self-assurance and skill set. “I became more confident in who I was and the skills I had,” she says. The collaborative environment at university has been the perfect setting for Gigi to put these leadership skills into action. “Because of what LBD taught me, I’ve become a strong leader within my groups.”
But for Gigi, it wasn’t just about skills. The friendships and connections she formed are equally important. “We met so many people at LBD who were like us, who looked like us. I made some amazing friends,” she shares. Though some have headed as far as British Columbia for university, their bond remains strong — they keep in touch through social media, supporting each other from afar.
Innovation in Action: The STEM Connection
Gigi’s passion for collaboration and problem-solving really shone through in LBD’s Pursue STEM program in 2021. Her team created a ‘Smart Mask’ prototype capable of measuring its effectiveness in blocking out the COVID-19 virus. Their cutting-edge project earned regional accolades, scholarships, and a coveted spot at the national Canada-Wide Science Fair in 2022.
“Everyone brought something unique to the table — coding, pitching, design,” Gigi remembers. “That’s when I discovered my love for marketing.” It was another example of how Gigi seizes every chance to learn and grow.
Gigi’s Advice: Q & A
A Q&A with Gigi (Answers have been edited for length and clarity)
Q: What would you say to students looking to get more involved in community leadership?
A: Start by asking anyone you know if they have any opportunities for you, or if they know anything that would pique your interest. High schools have lists of clubs and extracurricular activities. At university, every department has a list of clubs.
Q: Why is it important for students to seek out opportunities for community leadership?
A: It’s really important because you’re able to work on a lot of soft skills that you wouldn’t normally work on within a classroom setting. In university, you just go to the lecture, listen, take your notes, and leave. With extracurriculars, you’re working on time management, organization, communication, and collaborating with your other colleagues within the group.
Q: What were your favourite opportunities at LBD?
A: The public speaking TEDxUofT workshop. I go back to the notes I have on public speaking to see how I can incorporate the tips and tricks that I learned. I learned a lot from the financial literacy course and the mandatory introductory goal-setting workshop.
Living Her Own Advice
“Grab every single opportunity that comes your way.” That’s Gigi’s golden rule. Glance at her LinkedIn profile and you’ll see it in action. Her recent appointment as Vice President, Marketing for Association étudiante Telfer Students’ Association is just one of the latest triumphs in a growing list.
Her seize-the-day mindset, combined with dedication and hard work, led Gigi to a remarkable internship with KPMG Canada. After graduating from high school, she joined their Black High School Student Scholarship and Internship Program, later becoming a program ambassador and presenter for future candidates. Gigi’s diligence paid off — she was invited back for paid internships with KPMG in the summers of 2024 and 2025.
Gigi believes that effort and impact go hand in hand. She fondly remembers the advice of Trevor Massey, Board Chair at the Lifelong Leadership Institute: “You want to do so well at your work that you’re not even in the room and people are talking about you.”
Danielle Reid, LLI Intern, December 2023 – May 2024
Bachelor’s degree, Journalism 2020 – 2024, Toronto Metropolitan University
Story updated September 2025
