Derin serves as Partner focused on talent acquisition, talent management and Executive coaching with clients in the Technology, Media, Banking, Insurance, Financial Services, Oil & Gas, Consulting, Telecommunications, Public Sector and Not-for-Profit sectors as well as Private Equity clients with diverse portfolios in various industries and markets. Derin’s clients include high growth mid-cap, privately held, private equity group and venture capital-backed firms in emerging markets with focus on Board members; C level; Divisional President and General Management; Vice President and Director Level responsibilities.
Prior to Co-founding Oakheed, Derin worked as a Group Head, Human Resources & Corporate Services at Tangerine Financial. Prior to that, she was the Head of People & Culture at Andela, which she helped move the employee size from single digits to about 2000+ employees. She led a unique Diversity Strategy that led to previously unseen results in the African Tech Space: a 60/40 gender balance, as well as significant representation of women in the African Tech Space. Until recently, it was common for African Tech insiders to say technology startups could not build for real diversity and thoughtful People Operations.
Derin is proud of having played a role in proving them wrong. As a startup People advisor, she helps startups prioritize People Operations & Culture early in their organizational growth journey. Derin’s professional passion revolves around helping and supporting high- growth startups with everything related to org-building: Leadership Coaching & Management, Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Organizational Engagement, Culture & Experience, Diversity & Inclusion, Global distributed team support strategies. Derin is also an executive coach to startup founders and emerging leaders in the People Operations space. Prior to her business career, Derin attended the prestigious Spalding University on an academic scholarship and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional(SCP).
Derin is married to Segun Otegbola, and they have four beautiful children that keep them very busy with outdoor activities. She is active in serving on various local ministries & international charities boards, she is also an avid community builder.
