By Carolyn Gray Anderson
Datra Oliver (FEMBA ’18) describes herself as “a global citizen who embodies servant leadership.” She is one of four UCLA Anderson Student who will be awarded a 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowship on November 2.
Although she grew up in Nassau, Bahamas — an island measuring only 7 x 21 miles — Oliver has seen a lot of the world.
As a young teenager, Oliver met Nelson Mandela and was deeply impressed by his forgiveness and humility. Educated on a United World College scholarship in Victoria, British Colombia, she earned a B.A. from Macalester College in Minnesota. She served as a foreign service officer and met the likes of Condoleeza Rice and H.M. Queen Elizabeth II — both of whom influenced her sense of purpose and leadership. She worked in a hands-on capacity with Partners in Food Solutions to solve challenges of food production in Kenya. With a UK law degree and a background in economics and international affairs, Oliver now works with global distributors on contracting and compliance matters.
Both of Oliver’s parents were adult students and her son is a pivotal reason she is continuing her education at Anderson. She credits her entrepreneurial mother and grandmother as influences that demonstrated family sacrifice, recalling her mother’s adage, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” Along with preparation for the next stage of global leadership, the MBA is helping Oliver’s dreams to grow with her family.
Oliver echoes Coach Wooden in her personal philosophy that we do what we can, where we can for a higher purpose — regarding opportunities as small acts that evolve to serve the team’s needs. “Work hard. Give your best in every ‘game,’” she says. “That measure of success is truly yours.”
Catch Datra Oliver's recent FEMBA Drive Time podcast
The 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Award honors W. James McNerney, Jr., retired chairman, CEO and president of the Boeing Company. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 2, at the California Science Center, starting at 6:00 p.m. Business attire is required. For event and ticket information, contact [email protected]. Proceeds from the event fund fellowships for four UCLA Anderson students who are being awarded John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowships.
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