Resilience, Sense of Purpose Led Alum to High-Impact CEO Role
Dala Alphonso is a prime example of an Incredible leader with an extraordinary background. The Bellevue University Master of Science in Management alumnus overcame obstacles including surviving a plane crash and defeating cancer on his journey toward mastering technology and leadership, and was recently named CEO of the Omaha, Nebraska-based tech pioneer, the AIM Institute.
“Those experiences made me who I am, knowing that I had a second chance at life,” Alphonso said. “Each life has a purpose,” he continued, explaining that he has found his purpose as a transformative leader. In his current role, he’s able to put this passion to work by focusing on organizational strategy, human capital development and digital evolution.
Initiative, Open Mind Led to New Life in U.S.
Lack of opportunity in Alphonso’s native country of Nigeria pushed him to develop an entrepreneurial mindset early on. He put himself through college with a soccer scholarship, then played professional soccer and ran multiple businesses. “There were no jobs. You had to create your own opportunities,” he said.
His life took a different turn when he visited the U.S. in the late 1990s. “I wanted to live here,” Alphonso said. “Something was drawing me this way.”
Alphonso began looking at legal options for moving to America, recognizing the potential of the tech boom. “There was a high demand for tech skills and computers made sense,” he said.
After completing a 14-week Oracle training, Alphonso was hooked. He began his career as a software consultant, and later traveled to Omaha to work on a project. “It ended up being home,” he said.
Building on Leadership at Bellevue University
As Alphonso progressed in his career, a supervisor who believed in him promoted him to a leadership role. “I went into management without preparation,” he said. It inspired me to get more formal education because learning is a very important part of who I am.”
He said choosing Bellevue University for his graduate program made sense. “They offered the program I needed and truly supported work-life balance. The program was designed in a way that it applied to real-world experience and the offering aligned with who I wanted to be.”
The program was designed in a way that it applied to real-world experience and the offering aligned with who I wanted to be.
He earned his degree online, and said he benefited greatly from studying with a cohort of students. “Going on the journey with a group of people who I could trade ideas and share experiences with was a huge part of the program,” he said.
Alphonso also said that the structure of the program, incorporating comments and replies, set the stage for authentic engagement. With social media still being quite new and undeveloped when he completed his degree in 2013, this was unique. “Bellevue University was ahead of the curve at that time,” he said.
Upon graduating, Alphonso was chosen as the Commencement Student Speaker for the January 2014 Commencement Ceremony.
Applying to Leadership Lessons to Build Tomorrow’s Tech Leaders
After earning his master’s degree, Alphonso led technology efforts at several Omaha companies with steadily increasing scopes of responsibility. “I began to learn that being a leader is more about coaching than authority,” he said. “In my program, I learned a lot of the things that formed who I’ve become as a leader today.”
Throughout the years, Alphonso has approached his leadership journey as a discovery of self. “As you get older, the more aware you become of your passion and purpose,” he said. “I’ve realized tech is where I can impact knowledge and leave a legacy. At AIM, I’m able to hone in on that.”
The AIM Institute is dedicated to building and retaining the tech talent pipeline in the Omaha area. Alphonso is taking the helm in doubling its impact, reach and resources over the next five years. “We must be intentional in expanding our footprint,” Alphonso said. “Tech is an important component of every business and by bridging the gap of unfilled jobs, we are adding exponentially to the future of our city.”
When Alphonso has a free moment from transforming the Midwest tech landscape, he enjoys traveling, reading, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his four kids. “They are my world,” he said.