Olanike Bamodu is Business Risk Adviser at ELBA supporter, State Street Bank & Trust Company. Olanike tells us how proud she is of State Street’s work with ELBA’s Parity project, which won her team the EMEA Best Volunteering Network of 2023 at State Street and Top 10 for Social Impact in the 2023 Ethnicity Network Awards. We also hear about why she volunteers, to ensure that every young person is able to see their potential, and nurture it.

Why do you volunteer?
I volunteer because I am passionate about ensuring every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential through securing gainful employment within any organisation of their choice. I believe everyone has potentials. While some may already be confident of this through good education and privileged upbringing, others may need some nurturing and mentoring to see their potentials and believe in the possibility of achieving them.

What have you gained from your volunteering experience?
I have learnt so much from working with the young men from ELBA’s Parity project and it’s a constant joy and pride to see their confidence grow and see them achieve so much within their organisations. I have also enjoyed working with the ELBA teams and CEO, and I have made some very strong connections. ELBA is very close to my heart, and I champion their every cause in my organisation. I am proud of our work together with Parity, which won us the EMEA Best Volunteering Network of 2023 at State Street and Top 10 for Social Impact in the 2023 Ethnicity Network Awards.

Would you recommend volunteering to a colleague and, if so, why?
Absolutely! First and foremost, it is a wonderful way to give back to society, which I think every single person should do. There’s so much negativity in our world today, so being able to bring some positivity and shine some light in this sometimes dark world is wonderful. Secondly, it’s fun and so different from the day job, I sometimes wonder why everyone doesn’t do it. Thirdly, it’s a great legacy to leave behind – to be known as someone who helped develop the next generation of leaders in our community.