My Kauffman Fellowship (KF23) Reflections
As a Kauffman Fellow, I remain committed to living the best version of myself, in order to best serve the entrepreneurs I invest in and in my pursuit to champion innovation globally.”
– Temi Marcella A
The Kauffman Fellowships is a rigorous 2-year executive education in venture capital and innovation leadership. Led by the world’s top 1% investors, educators, and innovation leaders, it has grown to become one of the world’s premier innovation, leadership and venture capital programs. In the 26 years since inception, the Kauffman Fellowship has grown to 765 Fellows spread across 57+ countries and 6 continents, all working hard to support entrepreneurs in their mission to change the world.
I joined the Kauffman Fellows Programme in 2018 as a Fellow of Class 23. In a historic year for Kauffman Fellows, and the capital formation industry at large, the fellowship program welcomed its most diverse class, selected from the most competitive and outstanding pool of applicants in the history of the organization. Kauffman Fellows Class 23 was representative of the trending growth in the venture capital industry at large, and the growing need for a new, more diverse generation of leaders who can meet the challenges of the future.
As I reflect on my last 4 years (extended by 2 years due to COVID) as a Kauffman Fellow and my recent graduation in Mexico City, these are some of my personal reflections.
Success to Significance.
My first Kauffman module in San Francisco was marred with the impending collapse of the fund that sponsored me to join the programme. In the face of such public failure, I really was left with nothing but radical self-belief and conviction, I had to bet on myself, even when the odds seem stacked against me. In the midst of the chaos, I had to detach myself from people, places and organizations, and attach myself to my mission, my calling and my purpose. In that re-orientation I found peace, I found strength and I found power. I continue on my path not focused on success, but rather on my significance, on my living out my purpose, knowing that success will follow.
In the end what will matter is not your success but your significance. Success leaves a fingerprint on creation. While significance leaves a footprint on the soul.”
Dare to Dream with a Bias Towards Action.
As leaders we are called not only to dream, but to turn those dreams into reality through extreme action. Having a bias for action means one is not afraid to make decisions and take action, even when (especially when) one faces uncertainty. The COVID pandemic forced me to face the reality of continuing to lead, to build and to invest in the face of extreme uncertainty and as I look back, my successes and milestones today are indeed a manifestation of those actions. The entrepreneurial journey is no different as articulated in Amazon’s leadership principles, “Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk-taking.”
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Success belongs to those who have an unquenchable bias for action.”
Build Ecosystems. Build Nations.
As we continue on our mission to advance entrepreneurship globally, we will run into frictions, elements of an ecosystem that remain nascent or disconnected. Leadership calls us to consider the whole ecosystem and proactively seek to enhance it. My healthcare investing journey led me down the path of building an entire health ecosystem. Similarly, my journey as an angel investor propelled me on a path to building venture innovation ecosystems globally. It’s about connecting, empowering, and collaborating with others to build the whole system and working to lift up the community to achieve its potential. Beyond this, I am embracing my role as a nation builder and I remain committed to exploring this to its fullest in my next chapter.
Your life is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”
– Steve Jobs
Follow your Heart and Intuition.
Kauffman Fellows Class 23 and the entire Kauffman community was terribly shaken by the unexpected death of our classmate Nnena Nkongho in December 2021. The tragedy of losing someone so full of life with so much to offer to the world continues to haunt me. As I come to terms with the fragility of life, I know I owe it to Nnena Nkongho (Kauffman Fellows Class 2023), Tyson Clark (Kauffman Fellows Class 2021), and many other fallen soldiers to continue on this path of leveraging “technology-enabled investing to transform lives”. Their memories live on, challenging me to create and compete; to build and nurture; to take risks and leave my legacy.
Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
– Steve Jobs
I send a heartfelt thanks to those that encouraged me on this journey including Phil Wickham, Wale Ayeni, and Elliott Robinson. I am thankful to the Kauffman Fellows team including Jeff Harbach, Kirsten Owens, Katlyn Mease, Ava Alemazkoor, Jacqueline Hughes, and Ashelë Woods that has made the experience unforgettable.
Finally, I wish my Kauffman Fellows Class 23 cohort, Thomas Terdjman, Benjamin Grol, Shirley Schoenfeld, Yannick Oswald, Ashish Agrawal, Christian Weniger, and my entire Kauffman Fellows Class 23 all the best in their future endeavours.
I look forward to creating a better world with every single one of you on our path to lifelong fellowship.
SOCIAL MEDIA
