Funmi Ekundayo, a seasoned governance expert and corporate executive, has been appointed as the new President of the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA), a global body representing governance professionals and corporate secretaries across over four continents. The announcement, made on the Association’s website, marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s governance community and solidifies Ekundayo’s position as a leading voice in corporate governance, law, and financial services.
Ekundayo, who currently serves as Group Managing Director of STL Capital Group, has led strategic transformation efforts that have strengthened the firm’s position in Nigeria’s trust and fiduciary services sector. With over 29 years of professional experience, she has held senior positions at various organizations, including Sterling Asset Management & Trustees, United Capital Trustees, and STL Trustees, where she rose to become Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and subsequently Group Managing Director of STL Capital Group.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Ekundayo has a strong educational background, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos, and an alumni of Harvard Business School. She has also held various leadership positions, including President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), where she was the first female to hold the position in the institute’s 57-year history.
Ekundayo’s leadership period at ICSAN was marked by institutional reforms, capacity building, and increased visibility for the profession. She has also served as President of the Association of Corporate Trustees of Nigeria and held various positions at CSIA, including Honorary Treasurer and Vice President, before assuming its presidency.
As President of CSIA, Ekundayo aims to work with member institutes globally to strengthen corporate governance standards, expand professional capacity-building programs, and further position CSIA as a leading global voice for governance professionals. Her appointment has been welcomed by STL Capital Group, which described the achievement as “remarkable” and “exciting news” for the company.
The appointment of Ekundayo as CSIA President is significant, as it reinforces the importance of strong corporate governance and leadership in the global business community. With her extensive experience and expertise, Ekundayo is well-positioned to drive positive change and promote excellence in governance practices worldwide. As she begins her tenure, she will likely focus on building on the Association’s existing work and exploring new initiatives to support the development of governance professionals and corporate secretaries globally.