Ola Abiola

How’d you find your way back to Bain?

I initially left Bain in January 2020 to take on a regional head of HR role at Oxford University Press for the Americas. I still maintained my connections at Bain and was very much in contact with my mentor via virtual monthly coffee chats. In March 2022, we were scheduled to have our usual chat, and she mentioned she needed to backfill a role in New York City. I asked what she was going to do, and she said, “Well, you could come back!” 

At first it was surreal. It hadn’t occurred to me there would be an opportunity to return to Bain. I wasn’t sure because it was tricky timing to leave my current job, but she suggested I chat with our Talent leader for that office and the connection felt so natural. It was almost like we were already working together. I came away from my conversation feeling energized about the possibility of returning to the Talent team at Bain. By the time I met with others, I was already sold.  

Returning to Bain felt like a homecoming. Everyone’s been so welcoming and it’s like I never left. 

What was it like changing roles at Bain?    

I initially joined Bain’s Washington, DC office and then three years later, moved into a regional role in New York City when my husband and I had to move to New Jersey to be closer to family. I recall speaking to my manager the Monday following Thanksgiving about our plans to relocate, and he was instrumental in helping me make the connections necessary to create a 50/50 role splitting my time across two regional Talent teams. I was so thankful to secure that role by December. It happened just in time for the new year! 

What project are you most proud of?  

I recently helped launch an inclusion feedback group in the New York office. It’s been a great opportunity to have a pulse on how Bainies are feeling about our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, and other feedback.  

How has diversity played a role in choosing Bain? 

I can say I’ve felt psychologically safe to be my whole self at Bain and have really valued people's willingness to create safe space for others. We’ve taken a lot of action as an organization to create that. 

I was actively involved in Black at Bain in Washington, DC and am currently involved in New York City. It’s so great to have a central group of folks with similar backgrounds to share experiences and support one another. It gives you a head start on finding your crew, which is great! 

What should candidates know? 

The saying, “A Bainie never lets another Bainie fail” is not just something we like to say. This is who we are as a firm. We believe in this operating principle, along with the four others, and they inform every decision we make as it relates to our people. It’s truly an incredible place to work.