- One word to describe yourself: Exuberant
- Alma mater: New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), State University of New York (SUNY) College at Old Westbury
- Favorite book: Harvard Business Review's "Emotional Intelligence"
- Favorite TV show: "Suits"
- Favorite movie: "Coming to America"
- Favorite hobby(ies): Playing soccer, planning and writing grants pro bono for not-for-profit organizations
- Favorite station or stop that you have ever visited or frequent (and why): The World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York City because it is a state-of-the-art transportation that encapsulates the "Oculus." It is the third largest transportation station in New York City and boasts of famed retail and dining. It also commemorates the lives lost during the 9/11 attacks.
- Favorite route you have ever ridden or frequent (and why): New York City Transit's J/Z Line from Jamaica Center (Queens) via Broadway Junction (Brooklyn) to Broad Street/Wall Street (Manhattan) because it is an elevated line that goes through three boroughs and has been influential in my career in transportation as I worked at both the New York City Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which are both off the last stop off the train. I have sat next to power brokers, CEO's and passengers who have turned from strangers into friends. You get to see all of the various neighborhoods and diversity in New York City's most populated boroughs. The other favorite is MARTA's Red Line from Lindbergh Station to the Airport Station because there is no other transit station in the world right now that can get you to the airport from a metropolis in under 30 minutes for under $3.00. "Enough said!"
Onyinye Akujuo’s expertise in federal compliance, grant development and transportation policy has allowed her to attain more than $3 billion in grant funding and an overall savings of $220 million for her transportation companies over the course of her career
She is a seasoned grants professional serving as the director of federal and state grant programs on the senior executive team for MARTA. She oversees, directs and manages more than $600 million in federal funding and is the designated official for Atlanta, responsible for appropriating Federal Transit Administration formula funds for 13 counties that make up the Atlanta Urbanized Area.
Akujuo has served on panels for the U.S. Department of Transportation as it relates to metropolitan planning and performance management. She recently served on a panel at the Council of Minority Transportation Officials discussing millennial leadership and advisement in transportation organizations. She also serves on the Finance and Planning committees for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
In fiscal year 2018 alone, she has won nearly $20 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) and FTA discretionary funding, due to her new innovative model in grant seeking.
With a background in planning and project management, Akujuo no longer uses a sole finance angle to apply for grants; she has mitigated silos and has become unified with her operations and capital planning departments to intricately apply for the best projects to win funding and assist the counties that MARTA operates in. She provides mentorship activities and assistance to her counterparts in other transportation organizations, seeking to increase their programmatic budgets through grants and sponsorships.
She is an active board director for the League of Women Voters Atlanta/Fulton County, board member of the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning in NYC and serves on the Internal Operations Committee under the president of the Junior League of Atlanta.
"I enjoy bringing in millions of dollars and helping my agency heads and fellow directors understand the ever-changing federal guidance that affects the funding type that we receive. I enjoy working closely with my grants team. I am fortunate to have an amazing team that is passionate about their work. They enjoying learning and thinking outside of the box. They are main part of the reason why I am successful at MARTA; we are a family."
"[The most challenging part of the job is] waiting to hear back if our agency won a grant. It is suspense filled. When you work hard and receive nothing, it makes it very challenging."
"The accomplishment I am proud of is being a part of small group of Elite Grant Directors that have managed over a billion in grant dollars. I am very fortunate to have achieved it at such a young age. I am also proud of leading a grants team to win $1.5 billion in federal transit funding."
"Leadership is no longer about your position. It is now more about your passion for excellence and your passion for making a difference. You can lead without a title. In transportation you have the opportunity to be a leader at any level. Take advantage and ensure that you have established mentors who will guide you along the way and sponsors who will elevate you and speak well on your behalf to help you achieve your promotional goals."
