How working in US warehouses prepared me for leadership – AI specialist

Nigerian-born innovator, entrepreneur and advocate, Chaste Inegbedion, tells DARE AKOGUN how he rose from working in warehouses and as a caregiver in the United States to becoming the founder of ConcordeApp

Your story is one of remarkable transformation, from working in warehouses and as a caregiver in the United States to leading conversations in global boardrooms. What was that journey like, and what kept you going?

The transition was anything but smooth. When people see photographs from global conferences or read about my work today, they often assume the journey followed a straight line. The reality was very different.

Like many immigrants, I arrived with dreams, ambition and a willingness to work hard. What I quickly discovered was that hard work alone does not automatically guarantee access or opportunity.

Working in warehouses taught me the dignity of labour. Every shift reinforced the value of discipline, consistency and endurance. But it also exposed me to the realities many immigrants face: limited opportunities, systemic barriers and the feeling of being invisible despite their contributions.

Caregiving was equally transformative. Caring for vulnerable people taught me empathy. It forced me to understand resilience from perspectives beyond my own struggles. Those experiences shaped my worldview.

There were moments of isolation when the American Dream felt distant. There were times when the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be seemed impossible to bridge.

What kept me going was the belief that my experiences were not weaknesses; they were assets. I realised that my lived experiences gave me a unique understanding of how systems work and, more importantly, how they fail ordinary people.

Every warehouse shift, every caregiving assignment and every challenge became part of my education. They taught me how to build solutions for communities that are often overlooked. Looking back now, those difficult years became the foundation for everything I do today.

You have built an impressive corporate career at companies such as Amazon, AT&T and Paycom. How did those experiences shape your identity as a founder?

Those organisations were effectively my business school. At Amazon, I gained a deep appreciation for operational excellence and scale. The company teaches you how to think systematically and how to build processes capable of serving millions of people.

At AT&T, I learnt about infrastructure and how large systems operate. Understanding the complexity of communications networks gave me a broader perspective on technology’s role in society.

Paycom exposed me to human resources technology and workforce management. It deepened my understanding of how businesses engage people and how technology can improve organisational performance.

Collectively, these experiences taught me how large institutions think, operate and innovate. More importantly, they showed me where the gaps exist.

As a founder today, I am able to challenge traditional systems because I first learnt how those systems function from the inside. That knowledge has been invaluable.

You are now a regular presence at influential global gatherings, including the World Economic Forum and the United Nations General Assembly. What impact do you hope to make in those spaces?

I see myself as a bridge. Many policy discussions occur in environments far removed from the realities experienced by ordinary people. My goal is to help close that gap.

Whether I am participating in a World Economic Forum session, contributing to discussions during the United Nations General Assembly or attending leadership forums, I try to bring grassroots perspectives into the conversation.

The experiences of a small business owner in Lagos, a young entrepreneur in Tulsa or a community organiser in rural America should matter when global policies are being developed.

Too often, solutions are designed without sufficient input from the communities most affected by those decisions. I believe meaningful leadership requires listening to those voices and ensuring they are represented in rooms where important decisions are made.

You are a strong advocate for menstrual equity and period poverty awareness. Why did you choose to champion an issue many people still regard as uncomfortable?

It is because silence perpetuates inequality. Period poverty is not simply women’s issue. It is an economic issue, a public health issue and a human dignity issue.

Millions of girls and women around the world lack access to basic menstrual products. The consequences affect education, employment, health outcomes and social participation.

When we fail to address period poverty, we create barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential. I realised early on that meaningful advocacy requires courage.

Sometimes, the most important issues are the ones people feel uncomfortable discussing. If my platform can help normalise those conversations and encourage action, then it becomes a responsibility rather than a choice. The issue deserves attention because it affects opportunity, equity and social inclusion.

You have moderated panels at the World Economic Forum and other major global platforms. How do you balance representing communities while establishing your expertise?

Moderation is often misunderstood. Many people assume the moderator’s role is to dominate the conversation. In reality, effective moderation is about facilitation. My responsibility is to create an environment where meaningful insights emerge.

I focus on connecting ideas, identifying common themes and ensuring conversations remain grounded in practical realities. My expertise lies in translating complex discussions into actionable insights. I constantly ask myself one question: “How does this conversation improve lives?”

If a discussion remains purely theoretical, it has limited value. The objective is always to move from dialogue to impact.

ConcordeApp is helping organisations improve networking and event outcomes. What inspired the platform?

Frustration!

As an event producer and organiser, I repeatedly encountered the same challenges. People attended conferences hoping to build meaningful relationships, generate business opportunities and exchange ideas. Yet many left without achieving those objectives.

Communication was fragmented and information was scattered. Valuable opportunities were frequently missed. I saw a gap between what events promised and what participants actually experienced. ConcordeApp was designed to close that gap.

The platform helps simplify networking, streamline communication and improve engagement before, during and after events. Technology should enhance human connection, not complicate it. That philosophy remains central to everything we build.

What was the defining moment that convinced you to leave the corporate world and become a founder?

The turning point came when I realised I was helping to build other people’s visions while postponing my own. I had spent years creating value within successful organisations.

One day, I asked myself a simple question: If I can help build systems that improve efficiency for billion-dollar companies, why can’t I build something that addresses the challenges facing my community?

That question changed everything. I realised entrepreneurship was not simply about business ownership. It was about creating solutions. Once I embraced that mindset, the decision became much easier.

Despite your global engagements, you remain deeply involved in the Nigerian community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Why is that connection important?

The connection is important because the community keeps you grounded. Global conferences are valuable, but they can also create distance from everyday realities. When I volunteer at food banks or work with members of the Nigerian diaspora community in Tulsa, I am reminded of what truly matters.

Policy discussions, innovation strategies and economic forecasts only become meaningful when they improve people’s lives. Community work helps me maintain that perspective. It ensures that my work remains connected to real needs rather than abstract concepts.

You have participated in diverse platforms ranging from AfroTech to the Aspen Ideas Festival. Which spaces are most important for the future of the African diaspora?

The truth is that we need all of them. AfroTech is extremely important because it showcases African excellence within the global technology ecosystem. It creates opportunities for networking, investment and entrepreneurship.

At the same time, platforms such as the Aspen Ideas Festival are crucial for influencing policy and shaping broader societal conversations. The future of the African diaspora will depend on our ability to operate effectively across multiple spaces.

We need economic power, technological leadership and policy influence. Success in one area strengthens opportunities in the others.

As a technologist, entrepreneur, advocate and storyteller, what legacy are you hoping to leave behind?

I want to create a blueprint for what I call borderless impact. For too long, people have been encouraged to fit into narrow professional categories. You are told to be a technologist, an entrepreneur, an advocate or a storyteller. I disagree with that approach.

The most impactful leaders of the future will be those who can integrate multiple disciplines and perspectives. I want young people, especially Africans and members of the diaspora, to understand that they do not have to choose between their passions and their professions.

Your personal story can become a source of innovation. Your professional expertise can become a tool for social change. Your local experiences can shape global conversations.

If my journey demonstrates anything, it is that impact does not require permission. It requires purpose, persistence and the courage to create your own path. Ultimately, I hope to be remembered not for titles or positions, but for helping others recognise their capacity to create change, whether in their communities, industries or the world at large.