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From Hospitality to Law: How Adeola Sokunbi Turns Curiosity into Innovation
- Dr. Eulanda Sanders
- Aug 13
- 4 min read
At iNNOVATION Insights…We transform our clients' career journeys through the art of storytelling via our consulting, coaching, and career management services.
I first met Adeola Sokunbi, CIPP/E, Juris Master, through a doctoral student in the hospitality industry, and her presence immediately struck me. Adeola is one of those rare professionals whose career spans industries and disciplines without ever losing focus on people. She is a program manager for a leading SaaS company, an educator, a legal professional, and a co-founder of an innovative culinary training academy. Her story is a masterclass in following curiosity, building relationships, and seeing opportunity where others see boundaries.
The Nigerian Roots of Hospitality
Adeola’s journey begins in a Nigerian household steeped in warmth and hospitality. As the eldest child, she grew up helping to set the table and welcome guests. This early immersion in service planted a seed – not just a love for taking care of people, but a fascination with the logistics and orchestration behind great experiences.
Her passion led her to Georgia State University to study hospitality while working in restaurants, where she learned both the fast-paced coordination of back-of-house and the delicate diplomacy of front-of-house guest relations. Those lessons in conflict resolution would resurface throughout her career.
An Olympic-Level Launch
Graduating from college came with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: an internship with Coca-Cola during the London 2012 Olympics. What began as a one-week shadowing experience turned into a month-long, hands-on role in a global mega-event. Adeola witnessed firsthand how culinary service, logistics, cultural competency, and technology intersect on an international stage. Managing inventory with iPads – cutting-edge for the time – foreshadowed her future work in tech.
This experience broadened her view of hospitality far beyond food and beverage. “There are so many revenue streams and career paths tied to hospitality,” she reflected, noting how logistics, supply chain, and people management are all integral parts of the industry.
Building a Career Across Venues and Verticals
Back in Atlanta, Adeola immersed herself in large-scale event operations, from the Georgia Dome to Centennial Olympic Park. She booked everything from NFL games to cultural festivals, all while honing the skills to handle diverse stakeholders, tight timelines, and high-stakes environments.
In 2019, her curiosity nudged her toward law. Already holding a master’s in business, she pursued a Juris Master at the University of Georgia, focusing on the legal complexities of contracts, negotiation, and compliance. That pivot proved prescient when the pandemic halted live events in 2020, leading her to a legal role at a major scheduling technology company.
Lessons for Young Professionals
Adeola’s career path underscores the value of openness. She advises students to embrace non-traditional routes, document their transferable skills, and look beyond job titles. Whether moving Coca-Cola bottles at the Olympics or managing park events, she identified core competencies—communication, time management, relationship-building—that transcend industries.
She encourages emerging professionals to actively record these skills on résumés and LinkedIn profiles, focusing on actions and outcomes rather than only brand names or event prestige.
Educator and Entrepreneur
In addition to her corporate role, Adeola teaches hospitality law at Georgia State University and will soon add venue management to her course lineup. She is also the co-founder of C.H.E.F. Academy in Tucker, Georgia – an experiential kitchen training space for aspiring chefs and hospitality workers.
C.H.E.F. Academy was born from a collaboration with Chef Simone Byron, who reminded Adeola that “you’re never too young to mentor.” Together, they saw a gap in Atlanta’s culinary education pipeline, especially after the closure of the city’s last major culinary school. Their mission: combine real-world training, soft skills development, and workforce placement to prepare students for lasting careers.
This mission extends to Navigate Foundation, a nonprofit focused on culinary and soft skills training for underrepresented but high-potential youth. Through an exclusive partnership with Compass Group, graduates step directly into paid internships and career pathways.
Networking as Social Capital
For Adeola, networking is not about superficial exchanges—it’s about meaningful relationships and giving first. Volunteering for industry events early in her career gave her access to executives and decision-makers she might not have met otherwise. Those connections became the foundation for future collaborations and opportunities.
She calls this “building social capital,” a form of influence that can open doors money can’t buy. The key is genuine contribution and follow-through.
Bridging Education and Industry
Adeola is passionate about closing the gap between academia and industry. Too often, she notes, the two operate in silos. She rejects the stereotype that educators are “those who can’t do,” emphasizing that teaching and industry experience are mutually reinforcing. In her career, she’s constantly transferring insights between the classroom and the field.
Championing Women in Sports and Beyond
Having worked in sports and entertainment, Adeola has seen the challenges women face in male-dominated fields. She celebrates the progress—more women in leadership, ownership, and on the field—while acknowledging the work still ahead. She credits trailblazers who built networks like Women in Sports and Events (WISE) to support and mentor others.
A Thoughtful View on Technology and AI
Now working in tech, Adeola is well-versed in the legal and ethical considerations of AI and machine learning. She reminds us that these tools aren’t new—they’ve long powered the conveniences we expect. The challenge, she says, is aligning their use with personal values and legal safeguards, and making informed choices about how we feed and interact with these systems.
Looking Ahead
Will she return to sports and entertainment? Adeola says yes, especially with the World Cup coming to Atlanta. She is open to how that path unfolds, confident that her network, experience, and adaptability will lead her there.
Her definition of innovation is simple yet profound: seeing a gap, caring enough to address it, and taking action. It is a philosophy that has guided her from the kitchen line to the boardroom, and from Olympic stadiums to university classrooms.
For anyone navigating multiple passions or career pivots, Adeola Sokunbi’s story is a powerful reminder that innovation often lives at the intersections—and that curiosity, when paired with commitment, can fuel a truly remarkable journey.
Keep innovating!
Eulanda
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