Houston declares February 28 ‘Dr. Harry Akinola Day’ to honour global leadership expert
The City of Houston has officially proclaimed February 28 as “Dr. Harry Akinola Day,” in recognition of the leadership expert’s contributions to leadership development, organisational transformation, and community advancement. The
The City of Houston has officially proclaimed February 28 as “Dr. Harry Akinola Day,” in recognition of the leadership expert’s contributions to leadership development, organisational transformation, and community advancement.
The announcement was made during the Ultra 2026 Global Leadership Summit, an international gathering of executives, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders from across the world.
Mayor John Whitmire commended Harry Akinola for his impact on leadership innovation, noting that forward-thinking leadership plays a critical role in strengthening institutions, businesses, and communities.
Speaking at the summit, Akinola emphasised the evolving demands of leadership in today’s complex environment, stating that effective leadership requires clarity, adaptability, and the willingness to rethink how organisations operate.
Akinola is a global talent and leadership executive with nearly two decades of experience designing leadership systems, talent strategies, and organisational transformation initiatives across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Central America, and North America.
Over the years, he has served as a strategic partner to senior executives, supporting organisations in aligning leadership capability with long-term growth strategies, operational transformation, and changing business models. His work has influenced major global corporations, including JPMorgan Chase, Puma Energy, and Standard Bank Group, where he worked with leadership teams overseeing tens of thousands of employees worldwide.
In 2009, Akinola founded Ultrashift Inc., a platform dedicated to leadership and professional development. Through the initiative, more than 10,000 leaders and professionals across over 10 countries have participated in conferences, leadership labs, executive coaching programmes, and curated leadership experiences.
One of the organisation’s flagship initiatives is the Ultra Conference, an international forum designed to equip leaders with practical frameworks for navigating complex organisational environments. The Ultra 2026 summit in Houston brought together leaders from various industries to examine leadership transformation, organisational agility, and the evolving future of work.
Akinola advances his leadership and organisational development work through two complementary initiatives. Through Ushift Growth Advisory, he supports organisations, founders, boards, and executive teams in strengthening leadership capability, organisational design, and talent strategy, helping institutions translate strategy into sustained performance.
Through Ultrashift Inc., which also operates as a non-profit leadership and community development platform, he convenes professionals, emerging leaders, and change makers through conferences, leadership programmes, and community-focused initiatives.
His contributions extend beyond the corporate sector. Akinola has received honours from Fort Bend County as well as a United States Congressional Recognition for his efforts in leadership development and community advancement.
City officials noted that initiatives such as Ultra contribute not only to organisational growth but also to broader community development.
Akinola holds a Doctor of Management in Leadership and Organisational Development and several professional certifications, including SHRM-SCP, Certified Hogan Practitioner, and Certified NLP Practitioner and Coach. He is also a professionally trained executive coach with more than 500 hours of experience guiding senior leaders and high-potential professionals across industries.
In addition, he has authored five books focused on leadership, identity, and personal development, contributing to global conversations on leadership effectiveness and personal growth.
With the proclamation of Dr. Harry Akinola Day, the City of Houston highlighted the growing importance of leadership development, organisational capability, and civic engagement in shaping the future of institutions and communities.
Speaking at the summit, Akinola said strong leadership enables organisations and communities not only to navigate disruption but also to emerge stronger, adding that the recognition underscores the importance of investing in leadership for the future.
