By Amanda Gonzalez
Her story began across the street from one of OCU鈥檚 most devoted friends, Mo Grotjohn, the treasurer and trustee for the Meinders Family Foundation, and a longtime friend of Herman and Ladonna Meinders.
鈥淲hen my family moved into our neighborhood, we happened to live right across from Mr. Mo,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淥ver time, he became much more than a neighbor 鈥� he became a true friend and supporter of our family.鈥�
Nwankwo鈥檚 father, Iyo Nsikak, was pursuing his MBA at OCU at the same time while running the family鈥檚 small business alongside her mother. He often came home eager to share what he was learning at the Meinders School of Business. 鈥淗is passion for learning was contagious, and it inspired me to follow in his footsteps and study business at OCU as an undergraduate. It was incredibly special to attend the same university my father had just graduated from.鈥�
Nwankwo鈥檚 freshman year was filled with promise, until April when her father passed away suddenly. 鈥淚t was a devastating loss for our family," she recalls. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure how we would move forward or whether I鈥檇 be able to return to school. I had to step up and support my family, but I was not sure how to balance that with my education.鈥�
That鈥檚 when Mr. Mo and the Meinders family stepped in.
鈥淭heir support, along with the OCU community, truly changed the trajectory of my life. I received sponsorships and scholarships that allowed me to return to OCU and continue my studies. If it weren鈥檛 for Mr. Mo, Mr. Meinders and the OCU family, I truly don鈥檛 know how I would have finished my degree.鈥�
She not only stayed enrolled, Nwankwo also remained active in the Student Government Association, her sorority and many other leadership roles that built the confidence and resilience she relies on today.
She graduated from OCU in 2009, in the middle of a recession, but her education opened doors. Nwankwo interviewed with many major companies, including Google, Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy, before ultimately deciding to attend law school.
Today, she serves as senior employment counsel at Dropbox, where she advises leadership on all aspects of the employee experience. Her foundation from the Meinders School of Business continues to guide her daily. 鈥淥CU taught me how to think strategically, communicate clearly, and approach every challenge from both a business and legal perspective,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not just giving legal advice 鈥� I鈥檓 helping leaders make sound business decisions that move the company forward.鈥�
As Nwankwo reflects on the legacy of Herman Meinders, she is filled with gratitude.
鈥淢r. Meinders and his family's generosity changed countless lives, including mine. What stands out most is how they led with kindness and purpose. They didn鈥檛 just invest in education--they invested in people. Watching how they lived out their values taught me the importance of paying it forward.鈥�
His legacy continues to guide her. Through mentoring colleagues, fostering opportunities for others, and leading with empathy. The values the Meinders family exemplified continue to shape how she shows up, both professionally and personally.
Nwankwo encourages current students to recognize the power of community. 鈥淭he people around you can have a bigger impact on your life than you realize. Build those relationships, and lean on them when things get hard.鈥� To fellow alumni, she emphasizes to stay connected. 鈥淥CU is special because of its people, especially the people who keep giving back. Whether it鈥檚 mentoring a student, supporting a scholarship, or sharing your story, every bit of connection strengthens the OCU family for the next generation.鈥�
Through her journey, Nwankwo embodies the Meinders legacy: one defined by generosity, purpose and the belief that lifting others has the power to transform lives.
