Abasi Ene-Obong

“A Life in War and Peace” by Kofi Annan. I know this is not the typical business book, but I spent the first 20 years of my life in Africa, and in my teens, I watched a man who looked like me and spoke like me lead other world leaders through major geopolitical events. Kofi Annan made me believe that where I was born and the opportunities [or lack of] I had would only be limiting if I let it and could be an advantage. “Interventions” is his memoir.”

“It is an honour. I think the Bloomberg New Economy Catalysts is taking a holistic approach to problem-solving and innovation by ensuring that a truly global and diverse group of leaders come together to work on global challenges. I believe that it’s within that diversity, my fellow Catalysts and I will provide the needed solutions, which is humbling. Where I come from (and I know this is the case in other places), we all really want to make an impact and make our parents proud. Mine told me they were after the announcement.”

“I don’t know, but I know I don’t know it all! I believe the entrepreneurship journey is one of discovery. Always stay learning and never think you know everything. Be open to change. Allow growth to happen, and don’t fight it. Find joy and happiness in the little things. And enjoy the work you do!”

“I think very positively. It should not take a pandemic to align stakeholders and drive innovation at a scale not typically seen before. Maybe thinking about how we can all work to prevent the next pandemic can keep us all aligned”

“The only sustainable model for healthcare innovation looks in equal parts at rich and poor regions, regardless of ethnic or cultural lines. This also means healthcare must become more collaborative. My only fear is history repeating itself, where the strong “prey” on the weak. Today’s generation of leaders must seek to do things differently, particularly in the healthcare space, to ensure there is a win-win mindset as an acceleration of technology and funding creates more value.”

“I see the impact of genomics increasing across all scientific disciplines, and that is a great thing! Healthcare will get increasingly personalised, and treatments will get very specific to disease subtypes – this is already happening. Genomics will also accelerate the pace of development of such treatments. One more thing, I believe genomics will show us over time just how connected yet different we are, and that will have a significant social and cultural impact.”

“I would not describe myself as an innovator. I think I am doing the work that needs to be done. If I am an innovator, perhaps it’s because I faced this challenge head-on and was persistent as well as fortunate in timing. I am lucky that our work is making an impact.”