Nnenna Ilomechina

Turning diversity into strength: Nnenna Ilomechina's path from AlixAlumna to CEO 

Nnenna Ilomechina, CEO of Crownpeak and former AlixPartners leader, recently shared her journey of resilience, leadership, and the power of diversity in conversation with her friend and former colleague, Rob Hornby, AlixPartners’ Head of EMEA. Speaking during a hybrid event for UK Black History Month, Nnenna reflected on the lessons learned throughout her career, offering inspiration for rising leaders everywhere.

Driving forces

Nnenna’s career is defined by her focus on creating options and opportunities that have opened doors for her future. "My life has been about always forging paths that will give me options" she shared.

Nnenna’s unique upbringing—being born in Italy, growing up in Ghana, studying in the US, with time spent in the UK and Nigeria, her country of origin—instilled in her a global perspective and a curiosity that has shaped her. “The international school I attended had a profound impact on me. Our school song was all about how “the way to a peaceful life lies in understanding one another”. The emphasis on understanding others across cultures laid the foundation for my lifelong curiosity and appreciation of diversity and diverse interests."

With over two decades of experience leading digital and organizational transformations, Nnenna has become known for her adaptability and innovation, but remains humble about her achievements. “I’m still getting used to the fact that I’m the CEO!” she joked during the conversation.

Leadership and innovation

Nnenna credits her 12 years at AlixPartners with shaping her as both a business leader and a mentor. “I feel like I grew up at AlixPartners,” she said. “The holistic approach to looking at a business end-to-end was crucial to my future success.” She also shared how her time at the firm helped her grow into her identity as a leader of colour. “AlixPartners gave me the experience that is now core to my voice. It helped me appreciate and develop my love for mentoring team members and the next generation, and enabled me to truly flourish.”

One attendee expressed heartfelt gratitude, noting how seeing Nnenna in a senior leadership role had been personally inspiring. “When I joined AlixPartners eight years ago, you were one of the few female PMDs, and that was so important for me. Thank you for being such a strong role model.”

Embracing diversity

For professionals of colour, Nnenna offered encouragement, pointing to how AlixPartners has made great strides and embraced, encouraged, and driven diversity initiatives. “There’s a huge opportunity here now,” she said. “AlixPartners has created a great environment where you can be confident in your own journey. Focus on building your unique path—everyone’s journey is different.” Her advice? “Be curious, be present, and be dependable. These principles have guided me throughout my career.”

Nnenna highlighted how her demographic profile has played a role in her success. “It’s actually an advantage to stand out in a room—you become memorable,” she said. “In many environments, I’ve been the only woman or the only Black person. But if you speak up and share your perspective, people will remember you.”

Networking with authenticity

Nnenna also touched on the strength of her network in creating the opportunities she has pursued, though she admitted she’s never been deliberate about “networking” in the traditional sense. “I hate the word ‘networking,’ but I love people, and I’m curious about their stories,” she explained. “I love hearing about people's experiences! I love talking about food, wine, cultures, beliefs and travel.”

I also think it might be helpful that I’m memorable in another way. “My loud laugh” she added with a chuckle. “People remember me, and sometimes I even remind them: ‘You know that loud laugh? Yeah, that was me.’”

Building resilience and balance

Throughout her career, Nnenna has learned to stay grounded, especially when facing high-pressure situations. “I’ve built a lot of resilience, especially through my time at AlixPartners,” she shared, and “my usual philosophy is ‘what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger’. But during COVID, I reached a point where I thought, ‘I need to talk to someone.’”

She now practices daily meditation, which has been transformative. “It’s just 20 minutes a day, but it helps me stay present and breathe through challenging moments.”

Advice for junior professionals

For those in the early stages of their career, Nnenna encouraged exploration. “Your early career is the best time to spread yourself across many experiences - try different things until you find what you love,” she advised. “Consulting gave me a lot of options, and while I sometimes wish I had spread myself even broader, I avoided getting pigeonholed. The more diverse experiences you have, the more interesting your career—and life—will be.”

Nnenna’s message to all attendees was clear: Embrace your individuality, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to stand out.