Yemi Akisanya

Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at Groupon

Yemi Akisanya is Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion(DEI) at Groupon. In this role, he is responsible for building Groupon’s DEI global strategy focused on creating short and long-term plans to help build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive culture for Groupon’s Merchants, Customers and Teammates.

Prior to Groupon, Yemi served as a Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Options Clearing Corp (OCC). He was responsible for building the first-ever Diversity and Inclusion office at the Clearinghouse. Focused on attracting and retaining top talent, increasing diverse representation across all levels and reducing inequity in pay rates. Yemi consulted on critical communication strategies, organizational change processes and the future of work that aligns with the organization’s objectives and values.

Yemi serves on the Board of Directors for i.c.stars, a program that provides technology-based workforce development, leadership training, and access to career opportunities for low-income adults in the Chicago area. He is the current Chairman, Board of Directors for Digitalundivided; a leading non-profit leveraging data, programs, and advocacy to catalyze economic growth for Black and Latinx women entrepreneurs and innovators.

Yemi is a guest lecturer in Communication and Leadership Development at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where he also serves on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Yemi is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management MBA program. He also holds a Master of Science in Communication from Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Southern Illinois University.