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The 91��Ƭ�� College of Engineering is proud to announce that Jonathan A. O. Ojany, an accomplished global executive and Drexel Engineering alumnus, will deliver the keynote address at the College’s 2025 commencement ceremony on June 13.

Ojany, who earned dual bachelor's degrees with honors in architectural and civil engineering from Drexel in 1997. Most recently the U.S. CFO and head of strategy and transformation at KFC, his career has spanned engineering, global strategy, and C-suite leadership at some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including McKinsey & Company, InterContinental Hotels Group, The Coca-Cola Company, and Yum Brands (KFC).

Though his path has led him into the boardroom, Ojany’s roots are in engineering—and in Nairobi, Kenya, where he was born and raised. His parents were his mentors – educators accomplished in their respective fields.

“My father was an educator who encouraged me to dream big and never give up,” he said. “My mother was an executive and entrepreneur who championed the importance of self-awareness and confidence, on preparation and personal brand.” He has carried both these philosophies throughout his life

Ojany first came to Drexel drawn by the opportunity to merge creativity with analysis. “I consider myself both a left and a right brain,” he said. “Architectural engineering fit very well…using both the artistic part of architecture and the scientific part of engineering.” Drexel’s cooperative education program sealed the deal. “I liked the idea of being pragmatic… working while learning to understand what the degree was about.”

At Drexel, Ojany balanced demanding academic coursework, a string of co-ops, and multiple part-time jobs – all while navigating the cultural complexity of being a Black African student in the U.S. His experiences, both challenging and empowering, helped shape his values and identity as a leader. He embraced opportunities for growth through student organizations, leadership societies, and classroom environments that encouraged critical thinking and diverse perspectives. The Drexel African Students Association, which he helped found, became a place to celebrate heritage while fostering a spirit of unity and cross-cultural connection.

Ojany credits Drexel’s co-op program with opening his mind to the broader role engineers can play in shaping business and leadership. His two co-ops at Sunoco led to a full-time position and early exposure to cross-functional collaboration. “That was one of the early openings of the aperture,” he explained. “You’re not just sitting at your desk crunching numbers. You’re interacting with other functions driving change.”

In 2005, he returned to school to earn his MBA at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on finance and management to expand his influence beyond engineering. “I wanted to be part of a bigger part of any organization,” he said. “And in order to do that, you actually move from being the doer to the leader.”

In 2023, Ojany was named a Presidential Leadership Scholar, part of a program offered by the presidential centers of former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. As a Presidential Leadership Scholar, Ojany believes real change starts with showing up for others and leading through representation and servant leadership.

“If you're in the room, you (and by extension, the people you lead) have a voice,” he said, a reminder that presence is power. He lives by the belief that “a diverse group makes better decisions than a lone genius,” trusting in the strength that comes from many voices coming together.

Ojany’s commencement address will focus on what he calls the “three-legged stool” of success and navigating inevitable change and uncertainty: hard work, timing, and luck. “You can’t always control timing or luck,” he said. “But you can control how much you prepare and how you position yourself to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way.”

That message echoes themes from Ojany’s personal essay, “In the Footsteps of Giants,” published in A Legacy to Share: Volume 2, a collection of reflections from members of Drexel’s Black Alumni Council. In it, he reflects on the foundation his parents – his heroes - laid for him, the power of education, and the importance of being prepared for when luck and timing align: “Dream big, never give up, be self-aware, always be prepared and, particularly in the world today, control your brand.” These tenets continue to guide his path—from working student to global executive and change maker. They are testaments of the power of resilience, integrity, and continuous learning.

Ojany remains a dedicated Drexel alumnus, recently joining the College of Engineering’s Executive Advisory Council, where he helps shape the college’s strategic vision. As he returns to address the graduating class, he sees the moment as both personal and collective.

“You spend a lot of time in the working world,” he said. “My role as a leader is to make sure people are comfortable, clear on what they have to do, and set up to thrive.”

Ojany’s message is forged in engineering but grounded in humanity—a perfect fit for the next generation of Drexel engineers, tomorrow’s leaders.

His speech – and his ongoing message – is dedicated to the educators, innovators and pioneers, like his parents, Professor Francis Frederick Ojany and Mrs. Agnes Grace Ochido Ojany. whose unwavering commitment to learning continue to drive human enlightenment.

“Without these educators, mankind would still be in the dark ages,” he said.