Ibiyemi Lawani
About me
Ibiyemi (Yemi) Lawani is a DBA candidate at the Swiss School of Business and Management, Geneva, and a business strategist with over two decades of experience in strategy, innovation, and organizational transformation. Her research examines corporate resilience, strategic adaptation, digital transformation, and responsible AI governance in emerging markets. As the developer of the Leadership Readiness Framework (LRF), she bridges academia and practice to advance evidence-based solutions that drive sustainable growth, inclusive innovation, and resilient leadership. Passionate about STEM education, women’s participation in science and technology, and strengthening innovation ecosystems across Africa, she is committed to translating research into practical, high-impact solutions that deliver lasting societal and economic value.
Ibiyemi (Yemi) Lawani is a business strategist, innovation leader, and doctoral researcher with over two decades of experience in enterprise strategy, business performance, digital transformation, value delivery, and organizational adaptation. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the Swiss School of Business and Management, Geneva. Her research examines corporate resilience, strategic adaptation, digital transformation, and responsible AI governance in emerging markets.
Her work bridges academia and practice, focusing on how organizations and leaders build adaptive capacity and sustainable value amid technological, economic, and societal disruption. Through evidence-based research, she develops practical approaches that strengthen organizational resilience, foster inclusive innovation, and promote responsible technology adoption.
Among her key scholarly contributions is the Leadership Readiness Framework (LRF), which she developed to reframe AI as a strategic leadership priority rather than a purely technical initiative. Drawing on Strategic Leadership and Upper Echelons Theory, the LRF equips leaders, particularly non-technical decision-makers, to assess organizational readiness, identify value-aligned AI opportunities, and align adoption with long-term societal and organizational goals. It is especially relevant for developing and rapidly transforming economies.
Professionally, Yemi has led and supported strategic initiatives in enterprise strategy, performance improvement, organizational transformation, and executive decision support across global and regional organizations. This practitioner background deeply informs her research and reinforces her conviction that impactful knowledge emerges from the integration of rigorous scholarship and real-world application.
She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Children in Science and Technology (CIST), a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing the next generation of scientists, innovators, and technology leaders through STEM education, scientific engagement, innovation programs, and research-focused initiatives. Through CIST, she supports efforts to expand access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to inspire greater participation among children and young people across Africa.
A passionate advocate for women’s participation in science and technology, Yemi actively supports mentorship, leadership development, and inclusive STEM initiatives through speaking engagements, partnerships, and collaborative programs. She is committed to strengthening innovation ecosystems, expanding educational and research opportunities, and encouraging greater participation of women and girls in STEM fields.
Her broader mission is to generate academically rigorous and practically relevant research that advances both knowledge and practice. She seeks to leverage strategic leadership, organizational resilience, innovation, and emerging technologies to support sustainable development, inclusive growth, and long-term societal impact across Africa and other emerging markets.