Adeshola “Shola” Akintobi

Founder and CEO
Best Face Forward Makeup Studio, LLC.

After graduating with her bachelor’s from Hofstra University, Adeshola “Shola” Akintobi began her career in higher education at her alma mater in 2004. During her time at Hofstra, she held several progressively demanding titles including: Academic Advisor (Upward Bound Program), Enrollment Management Officer (Hofstra University School of Law), Special Events Coordinator and Assistant Director of Alumni Programs (Office of Development and Alumni Relations).

As Assistant Director of Alumni Programs, Shola found her niche as she coordinated record breaking fundraising events for student scholarships. The opportunity ignited her creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for philanthropy. It also fueled her desire to earn a Master’s in Business Administration from the Franklin G. Zarb School of Business in 2008.

Shola’s marketing professor urged her to exercise her marketing prowess in the real world. She took him up on his challenge and joined the Marketing and Arts team at Lifetime Brands, Inc., one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of kitchenware and home décor products. Exactly two years later, Shola was awarded the “Ideas of a Lifetime” silver award for her innovative contributions to the company. Although Shola describes her time at Lifetime Brands as an invaluable experience, she missed the world of alumni relations and development dearly and was eager to return.

In 2010, Shola served as the Director of Alumni Relations for Long Island University Brooklyn Campus and the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Long Island University is one of the largest and comprehensive private universities in the country. Her chief role included providing professional development, networking and volunteer opportunities for over 70,000 alumni.

In 2017 Shola served as the Director of Development at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Leading a development team of five, she spearheaded the Educating for Justice Gala, the College’s largest fundraiser and managed the Major Gifts Program which provides critical resources supporting the College’s mission to educate for justice.

Ms. Akintobi founded Best Face Forward Makeup Studio, a luxury makeup concierge service providing professional women with talented makeup artists, hair stylists and nail technicians. The company looks forward to celebrating its tenth anniversary next year (2021)!