John Onwualu 2021 Speaker

Managing Director

Former U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

Biography

John has nearly a decade of experience with specific focus on investments in emerging markets and the technology sector. As Managing Director, John built the DFC’s first direct equity investment group to invest in companies committed to creating developmental impact.

Prior to joining the DFC, John worked at SoFi, a leading fintech which went public via SPAC backed by Chamath Palihapitiya. During his time at SoFi, he led the international growth strategy, business operations and several international investments as well as SoFi’s $1.2Bn acquisition of Galileo Financial Technologies. John began his career at Morgan Stanley where he left as a Vice President after working in the firm’s Investment Bank and Emerging Markets team.

John is a first-generation immigrant, the son of a Nigerian entrepreneur. John’s passion to invest in the developing world comes after years of seeing his father build businesses in emerging markets. John received a BS from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and he also minored in African Studies.