02 Oct Dr. OJ Oleka
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. OJ Oleka is the 2nd Chief Executive Officer of the State Financial Officers Foundation and has been in the fight for conservative principles and within the conservative movement since college. As the child of Nigerian immigrants, his family story is a shining example of the American Dream and how faith, opportunity, and hard work can pull families out of poverty. Because of his family story Dr. Oleka has dedicated his life to public service and preserving America as a beacon of hope, and promoting the American ideals of merit, hard work, and freedom over divisiveness and identity politics.
Prior to becoming CEO at SFOF, Dr. Oleka was a senior business development executive at a global business processes company. Dr. Oleka is also a former candidate for State Treasurer in Kentucky, where he campaigned on a platform of cutting spending, reducing government, and supporting policies that protect economic freedom. Dr. Oleka was President of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU), a nonprofit focused on educational opportunity. While at AIKCU, he led during the COVID era and successfully pushed back against the government to keep his colleges and universities open. His leadership helped kids stay in school, saved thousands of jobs, and drove millions of dollars into the economy.
Prior to AIKCU, Dr. Oleka served as Deputy Treasurer for Kentucky State Treasurer and SFOF Member Allison Ball. Dr. Oleka protected millions of tax dollars from fraud, defended private property, and helped the office win national recognition for increasing fiscal transparency in the state budget.
Dr. Oleka has earned a Marketing degree from the University of Louisville and an MBA and PhD in Leadership in Higher Education from Bellarmine University.
Dr. Oleka and his wife Jamie live in Frankfort, Kentucky with their two daughters. They are deeply committed to their faith and serve as leaders at Multiply Church in Frankfort.