Tosi Ufodike is a wife, mother of two college daughters, small business owner, former elected Ela Township Trustee, and community volunteer whose life and career have spanned two continents, corporate America, entrepreneurship, education, and public service.

Born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Tosi spent much of her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, before returning to the United States in middle school and settling in Anderson, South Carolina. Growing up between Nigeria and the United States gave her an early appreciation for different cultures, communities, and perspectives.

Tosi comes from a long line of educators. Her mother raised four daughters while working as many as four jobs and spent more than 40 years as a public-school teacher. Her aunt was also a teacher, making education and service a constant presence throughout Tosi's childhood. Her father was a Nigerian journalist and small business owner who was involved in local politics, while her grandfather was a farmer. From an early age, Tosi was surrounded by examples of hard work, education, entrepreneurship, and community involvement.

Education would eventually take Tosi abroad to England before she completed graduate school and began her professional career with General Electric. Over the next 17 years, she traveled extensively and held a variety of financial and operational roles. Her professional experience included serving as a corporate auditor and becoming a Six Sigma Black Belt, working across organizations to evaluate operations, manage risk, and improve processes.

Tosi married her husband in 2005, and together they raised two daughters while their family's journey took them across four states. Her husband is a pharmacist and business executive, and today both of their daughters are in college.

Motherhood also brought Tosi deeper into schools and community life. She served as a substitute teacher at her daughters' school, room mom, and school volunteer. Coming from a family of educators, those experiences continued a connection to education that had been part of her life since childhood.

After years in corporate America, Tosi brought her professional experience into entrepreneurship and small business ownership, including her work in early childhood education. Working alongside children, parents, teachers, and staff has given her firsthand experience with the opportunities and challenges facing families, educators, employees, and small business owners.

Tosi's community involvement eventually led her into elected public service as an Ela Township Trustee. Today, as a former elected township trustee, she continues to serve her community as a member of the Board of the Foglia YMCA and through her work with Illinois Birth to Five.

Tosi is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and the author of a children's book. She especially enjoys mentoring young women and sharing what she has learned about entrepreneurship, small business growth, and professional development.

Beyond her professional and public-service roles, Tosi is a Christian, daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her faith and family remain central to her life. She loves traveling, experiencing new places and cultures, spending time with family and friends, and coming home to Lucky, the family's Goldendoodle.

From North Carolina to Nigeria and South Carolina, from England to corporate America, and from entrepreneurship to community and public service, Tosi's life has followed many paths—but family, faith, education, hard work, and service have remained constants throughout her journey.

A Special Message From My Daughter

Hear my youngest daughter, Yadilinna, share in her own words the qualities she believes make me a strong leader for our community. Her love, encouragement, and belief in me mean the world.

Featured Interview: Black and Right on AM 560 The Answer

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