"Black Talent is Out There" - Yenisi Onabolu on Black Representation in Finance
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10 Minutes = Current Insights
As part of Black History Month, we caught up with Yenisi Onabolu, Vice President, Real Estate Investments at TD Asset Management Inc. (TDAM), to chat about diversity in the financial industry - as well as her journey to co-founding the Black Experience initiative, one of the seven diversity pillars embedded in all lines of business at TD. The other diversity pillars include Women in Leadership, Visible Minorities, Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, LGBTQ2+, and veterans.
Before becoming a portfolio manager on TDAM's Global Real Estate investment team in 2019, Yenisi was part of the Investment Risk team, focused on Equity Risk. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Yenisi completed internships in investment banking, private equity and at the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. Yenisi has a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and a CFA designation.
What does a day in the life of Yenisi currently look like? What does a typical day in your TDAM role look like?
I would say there is no typical day for me in my role. Being a part of a relatively new fund, the TD Greystone Global Real Estate Fund L.P., my role each day varies: from gathering market insights and liaising with our U.S. managers on specific assets and recent acquisitions to facilitating the commencement of our fund's direct real estate investment program.
In the three years I have been with the team, I have learned a ton, not only about investing in real estate globally, but also what it takes to build a solution that truly serves the needs of our clients and attempting to do it in the optimal way. I am proud of the work my team and I have been able to accomplish over these past few years, and I look forward to the many milestones ahead for the fund.
What fascinates you the most about global real estate?
The operative word for me is "real." I love that real estate is a truly tangible asset as an investment class. In particular, I am fascinated by the built environment in which we live and the impact real estate can have on defining the character and culture of a city and the people within it.
When I lived in the United Arab Emirates 12 years ago, I developed a deep appreciation for the extraordinary architecture and the significant pace of delivery of record-breaking skyscrapers (the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai). But real estate isn't just about outstanding architecture; it's also about the real-world impact on the communities which we serve. This includes, and is not limited to, the development of affordable housing units in high-cost-of-living cities.
What most intrigues me about global real estate is its duality: despite it being such a macro-driven asset, it is very much a grounded asset class, where each property is run like a small business. I appreciate the fact that every property is truly unique and that two identical neighboring properties on the same side of the street could have drastically different operating and investment performance.
A lot has been said about diversity and inclusion in finance, but there are still gaps in the industry. How do you feel and think about that?
I think that in the industry a lot has been said and a few things have been done; yet, there's been marginal progress. It’s a curious thing in an industry where numbers matter – and the numbers just aren't where they should be. There have been many strides as far as gender diversity and inclusion, but a lot less progress on Black representation. I think we have a long way to go, but what I'm certain of is that the Black talent is out there. While diversity and inclusion efforts can be seen at more junior levels of organizations, data shows that there is a lot less representation in the top ranks. I think that more work needs to be done to understand the why and then how we can ensure career progression opportunities are equitable across the board.
As the famous quote goes, "You can't be what you can't see." I think it takes great determination and courage to strive for what you cannot see, and while not insurmountable, it certainly helps to not have to be the first or the only one.
You co-founded the Black Experience initiative at TDAM - how did that happen and what does it mean to you?
I got involved in the Black Experience effort in the summer of 2020. Shortly after the brutal murder of George Floyd during the height of the pandemic, I felt compelled to do my part in ensuring that the voices of Black employees at TDAM were heard and that long-term change could be effectuated internally. It happened with the support of Bruce Cooper [CEO, TDAM, and Senior Vice President, TD Bank] and with the leadership of Colin Lynch [Managing Director and Head of Global Real Estate investments, TDAM]. Colin and I embarked on a journey of meeting with several asset managers globally to learn about their Black representation initiatives. We also met with senior leaders within TDAM to better understand where opportunities for growth existed. And most importantly, we met with our Black colleagues at TDAM to learn about their experiences and collate ideas and recommendations to Bruce.
The focus of this effort is inextricably linked to my identity as a Black Nigerian woman. It is of great importance to me that my place of work be inclusive and diverse, with representation of Black employees across all teams and in all ranks within TDAM. I think we can all do our part to help advance the vision toward better representation of all groups.
What is something that your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?
I'm such an open book with some of my colleagues, I fear they know way too much already, haha! What my colleagues may not know about me is that I am an avid Manchester United supporter, and while I am a passionate spectator of such a glorious sport, I have never quite learned how to kick a ball. An interesting fact is that my partner is a Liverpool FC supporter, so that makes for some very intense trash talking on match day, especially with the fortune reversal this season. Glory Glory Man United!
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