We are kicking off the New Year with our January Spotlight!
This month, we are highlighting Feyi Makinde, a young alumna who has traveled all over the world and cares deeply about making real change within international and domestic communities. Interested to know more about Feyi and the work she is doing? Read on!
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Feyi Makinde and I am a Class of 2016 graduate from Linden Hall. I studied Business and Chinese Studies at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and graduated last year as a member of the Class of 2020. I attended Linden Hall for 7 years and was involved in Model-UN, and I’m currently working in Venture Capital for GreenHouse Capital. I invest in really awesome start-ups that help build solutions and business in Africa and for other emerging markets. I am extremely passionate about business, Chinese films, and any type of noodles. I currently live in Lagos, Nigeria, but over the past few years I have been fortunate to live in Philadelphia, Shanghai, New York, San Francisco and of course Lititz!
Favorite place to spend time at Linden Hall?
It is honestly (and embarrassingly) a tie between the purple Annex bathroom and the Honeycutt Bridge.
What are you passionate about in your work?
I am passionate about using finance and business to bridge international barriers and solve the real problems in our world. Often times creative solutions to the most desperate problems are not supported financially because they are addressing the issues of marginalized people. I hope to be able to use capital (fancy word for money and resources) to be able to affect a real change in peoples’ lives and communities. Whether it is a start-up or an old shopping mall, creative solutions supported by the right resources can be life changing for a community and I love to be a part of that story.
In what ways has your Linden Hall experience had an impact on your career and who you are today?
The impact of Linden Hall has been profound. I gained an immense amount of confidence being able to go to Linden Hall as well as many lifelong friends and mentors. No matter what amazing and great things I look forward to doing in life, my experience at Linden Hall always humbles me and reminds me of the beauty in the simplicity and impact of ~200 girls learning, living and growing together every year. Special shout out to Qiu Laoshi, Ms. Jennis, Mrs. Umberhocker and Ms. Corlett.
What piece of advice would you share with current Linden Hall girls?
In the words of Late Congressman John Lewis- look for good trouble. The things you are pushing for matter and make a difference- keep going. Also, go exploring in the snow on a snow day, play and have fun in Lititz Spring Park, and jump in a pile of leaves in front of the Castle. In other words, have fun and savor the young free moments with your friends. Don’t worry about growing up to quickly- all the other "life stuff" will happen I promise. (PS. Look for secret written messages around campus. They exist)
JUST FOR FUN...
What is your favorite book?
Fiction: Three Body Problem by Liu CiXin (English or Chinese Version)
Non Fiction: Grit by Angela Duckworth
What’s your favorite quote?
My favorite quotation was actually my middle school graduation quote: "Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring" (Marilyn Monroe)
Name three things you couldn't live without.
Good food, traveling (it has been a tough year), and my friends and family (especially my LH Sisters)