Tobenna Egwu ’20 MBA

Turning energy into impact  

She doesn’t just walk into a room — she energizes it.  

It’s a presence Kellogg alumni and professors know well and the reason Tobenna Egwu ’20 MBA was named the first-ever recipient of the Kellogg Young Alumni Award.  

Tobenna is known among her peers for the electric energy and genuine humility she brings to every interaction and has quickly distinguished herself within the Kellogg alumni community. Her exceptional ability to connect with people, which she describes as her superpower, has played a significant role in her early success.  

“I think of her as somebody who really does believe that this is a journey and that, with all the things she’s accomplished already, she’s going to accomplish a lot more,” says Professor Harry Kraemer ’79 MBA.   

Showing up for what she wants and establishing a community has been a cornerstone of Tobenna’s success. Whether that meant taking two buses and a train to attend the highly competitive Lane Tech High School, enrolling in Kellogg’s Executive MBA Program in Miami while still living in Chicago or finishing said program in the middle of a global pandemic, Tobenna has always known that she is worth the distance.  

Now in her role as the head of talent development and culture at Apex Fintech Solutions, Tobenna emphasizes to Apex’s employees that showing up with the right energy is the key to collective success.   

“If we want people to be present, we have to give them tools in order to be more present,” Tobenna says. “If you have engaged people, and you have people that want to do the work, then you’re going to have a better product, and then it keeps you competitive.” 

Shift, launch and amplify 

Tobenna came to Kellogg with a bachelor’s in computer science under her belt and a master’s that was centered around adult learning theories. When she started the EMBA Program, a professor asked the class if they wanted to shift, launch or amplify while at Kellogg. Tobenna realized she wanted to do all three.  

While completing her MBA, she received a promotion from her role as manager of training and development for Cook County to the deputy director of research operations and innovation. She then moved into the tech space, where she could merge the passion from her undergraduate and first master’s degrees with the skills she learned at Kellogg.  

“I feel emboldened, I feel empowered and I feel confident,” Tobenna says. “I finally landed a position where I can still be myself and I can still come with my own ideas and be able to make an impact on so many people who need the skills that I have.” 

Continuing the Kellogg journey 

Even though it was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tobenna’s time at Kellogg was transformational. She considers her Kellogg network family and has made up for any lost time by remaining actively involved as a member of the Kellogg Executive Women’s Network and the Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago’s Board of Directors.  

“Your time at Kellogg is not over when you graduate,” Tobenna says. “This alumni network keeps the experience going and the journey continues.”  

In 2025, Kellogg presented Tobenna with the Young Alumni Award, which celebrates Kellogg leaders who have made a significant impact in their careers within 10 years of graduation. This prestigious award honors those whose contributions promise to make a lasting difference.  

“Her enthusiasm, her openness, her desire to make a difference, the collaboration and energy level [are] just dynamic,” Professor Kraemer says. “She is an example of exactly what we need.”