TribesAndHistory: What is your name/ how you want to be addressed
Ehis: Ehis Akhetuamhen
TribesAndHistory: How can readers connect with you? (LinkedIn, IG, personal website)
Ehis: I’m most active on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ehis1
You can also follow my new podcast, Unmuted Moments, launching March 11, 2025 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
TribesAndHistory: Where are you from?
Ehis: I’m proudly Nigerian—born and raised in Benin City. But I’ve spent all my adult life in the U.S. after moving here for college at 17.
TribesAndHistory: What do you do?
Ehis: I work at Google, performing valuation and M&A functions for the Other Bets portfolio companies under the Alphabet umbrella. These companies range from self-driving cars (Waymo) to autonomous drones (Wing) to biotech tackling the science of aging (Calico). I enjoy partnering with these businesses as they scale and drive real-world impact.
Beyond my work at Alphabet, I’m also the host of Unmuted Moments, a podcast focused on the journey to finding and owning your voice, especially for young professionals and immigrants navigating career and confidence challenges.
TribesAndHistory: What inspired you to pursue this business/ career?
Ehis: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that the best move you can make is to bet on yourself. My journey to studying in the U.S. is a perfect example.
My dad always dreamed of studying in the U.S. and would send letters to colleges for brochures. That dream became mine too. When it was time to apply, I found one school with no application fee—Berea College. It wasn’t my first choice; it was my only choice. I couldn’t even afford the $50 postage, so I took a gamble—paid the local mailman half the cost, not knowing if he’d send it. Thankfully, he did, and I got in on a full scholarship. That decision changed my life.
That experience shaped how I approach opportunity. The most meaningful leaps come from betting on yourself, even without guarantees. It’s a mindset I carry into everything I do, including Unmuted Moments, where I explore how people find and own their voice through bold risks and pivotal breakthroughs.
TribesAndHistory: Tell us about your Career/Business
Ehis: I’ve spent most of my career in financial services—working at KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and William Blair—before transitioning to Google. I know how intimidating it can feel to break into these spaces without insider knowledge. That’s why I’m passionate about mentorship and helping the next generation navigate their careers.
That same passion drives my work on Unmuted Moments, where I sit down with professionals to unpack the moments that shaped how they show up in their careers and lives. It’s about the real, often messy journey behind success—the doubts, the lessons, and the breakthroughs that help us find our voice.
TribesAndHistory: Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly shaped the leader you are today?
Ehis: For a long time, I held back from sharing my voice—not because I lacked ideas, but because I doubted whether I belonged. Growing up, I didn’t feel entitled to much—not in an arrogant sense, but in the way that makes you question whether you deserve a seat at the table. Even in college, I often stayed quiet, waiting to feel like I’d earned my place before speaking up.
A turning point came in business school. For the first time, I saw myself as equal to people I once placed on a pedestal—those from big-name schools or privileged backgrounds. I realized I was no less smart, no less capable, and that I belonged too. That mindset shift was transformative. I stopped second-guessing myself and started showing up with the conviction that my voice mattered.
That lesson continues to shape how I lead today. Leadership isn’t about waiting for permission—it’s about believing you have something valuable to contribute, even before the world confirms it. It’s also the heart of Unmuted Moments: helping people overcome self-doubt and embrace their potential.
TribesAndHistory: How has your African heritage shaped your leadership/career/business journey?
Ehis: There’s a saying in Nigeria: “Naija no dey carry last.” It means that no matter the challenge, Nigerians don’t give up—we find a way to push through and come out stronger. That resilience is woven into our culture, and I saw it firsthand growing up.
Many people around me, including my own family, didn’t have much. At times, even three square meals a day wasn’t guaranteed. But what stood out wasn’t just the struggle—it was the tenacity. No matter how tough things got, people never lost their drive to improve their lives and create better opportunities for their children.
That mindset has shaped me. No matter what I achieve, I never allow myself to get too comfortable. Growth is a lifelong journey, and success isn’t just about what you gain—it’s about how you uplift others along the way. That’s the mindset I want to pass on to my children: to always strive for more, not just for themselves, but to make a difference in the lives of others.
TribesAndHistory: What role does your culture play in your career, leadership style and decision-making processes?
Ehis: My Nigerian culture plays a huge role in how I approach leadership and decision-making. Growing up in Nigeria taught me that success is rarely a solo journey—it’s built on community. Whether it was neighbors looking out for each other or family members pooling resources to support someone’s education, I saw firsthand how collective effort can turn dreams into reality.
That mindset shapes how I lead today. In my work at Alphabet and through Unmuted Moments, I believe leadership isn’t just about individual achievement—it’s about creating space for others, amplifying diverse voices, and building connections that help everyone rise together. The most impactful decisions aren’t made in isolation—they come from collaboration, empathy, and a shared commitment.
TribesAndHistory: What legacy do you hope to leave for the next generation of Africans
Ehis: I want more Africans—especially young professionals, no matter where they are in the world—to embrace the power of their own voice. To understand that their roots, their experiences, and the stories they carry are not limitations, but powerful assets.
TribesAndHistory: What about your heritage makes you proud?
Ehis: Our grit. Our creativity. Our ability to thrive anywhere in the world while staying deeply connected to our roots.
I once came across a statistic that Nigerians are the most educated immigrant group in the United States. That didn’t surprise me—Naija no dey carry last. We push ourselves, we strive for excellence, and we find a way to succeed no matter where we are.
But my hope is that one day, we’ll see the full impact of this mindset within Nigeria itself. That we won’t just excel abroad, but we’ll raise the standard of education at home—producing world-class engineers, teachers, doctors, and business leaders who can lift the country out of poverty and drive it toward its full potential.
TribesAndHistory: Any last words of wisdom?
Ehis: One of the things I want to change, in my own small way, is how we as Africans—especially young professionals—think about success and the scarcity mindset. It’s easy to feel discouraged when someone else gets an opportunity, as if it means you’ll never get yours. But breaking free from that mindset can transform your career.
Cheering others on doesn’t take anything away from you. In fact, it often opens doors. Most of the success I’ve had in my career has come from celebrating others—people who were doing well and, in turn, helped me advance in my own journey.
So next time a friend or colleague is chasing a big opportunity, support them. Your encouragement might just be the spark that lights your own path forward.
TribesAndHistory: Is there anything else you would like to address that we didn’t ask?
Ehis: If you’re still on your journey to finding your voice, I hope you’ll tune in to Unmuted Moments. Each conversation explores the real, often messy moments behind growth and success. My hope is that you’ll walk away feeling inspired and equipped to take the next step toward owning your voice.
