Melanie Okuneye-Williams

Why do I coach?

Coaching has been one of the most meaningful parts of my own journey. As someone who has navigated major transitions, from international student to founder, investor, and now mentor, I’ve benefited deeply from people who believed in me, asked the right questions, and helped me see possibilities I couldn’t yet see for myself. I coach because I want to pay that forward, by helping others find clarity, confidence, and direction as they take bold next steps in their careers or education. Great coaching doesn’t just give answers; it helps people unlock their own potential and move with purpose. I coach because I love helping others navigate uncertainty, articulate their goals, and turn their ambition into tangible results.

Work Experience

Advisor

Akoma Health

July 2025 - Present

Provide strategic guidance to the leadership team on growth, partnerships, and investor relations following Akoma Health’s acquisition. Support product roadmap decisions, operational efficiency initiatives, and fundraising strategy on a part-time basis.

CEO, Founder

Akoma Health

March 2022 - July 2025

- Founded and scaled a mental health technology platform serving over 100,000 users across Africa and the diaspora through a combination of B2B partnerships, direct-to-consumer channels, and AI-enabled teletherapy. - Built and led a cross-functional team of 20+ across operations, product, and marketing, developing systems to manage remote teams across multiple time zones. - Established strategic partnerships with employers, insurers, and digital platforms to expand access to mental healthcare, resulting in 6x annual revenue growth and profitability within two years. - Oversaw product, commercial, and fundraising strategy, managing investor relations with Greylock, Google for Startups, and Dorm Room Fund. - Successfully executed exit, transitioning company operations and intellectual property under new ownership. Revenue Forecasting & Pipeline Management, Strategic Partnerships and +26 skills

Operator & Investor

Baron Davis

September 2021 - February 2025

- Partnered with Baron Davis to build the foundation for a modern family office platform, developing investment processes, portfolio tracking systems, and governance frameworks across multiple verticals. - Sourced and evaluated companies in health & wellness, gaming, Web3, sports, fintech, and consumer discretionary, conducting diligence and structuring strategic partnerships. - Led Baron’s investment in the WNBA’s historic first ever external funding round (2022), coordinating cross-stakeholder negotiations and post investment strategy. - Advised on team structure and operational workflows, integrating external advisors, fund administrators, and portfolio management tools to transition toward a full family office model. Revenue Forecasting & Pipeline Management, Strategic Partnerships and +21 skills

Summer Associate

Bain & Company

June 2021 - August 2021

MBA Internship (offer received). - Worked with high growth gaming company to design leadership structure and scope, in preparation for upcoming leadership changes. - Advised largest music publisher on investor strategy and communication ahead of spin off. Investor Relations, Venture Capital and +7 skills

VIce President

Goldman Sachs

January 2016 - November 2020

- Advised family offices and ultra high net worth individuals on their investments. - Worked in both London and New York, serving clients across EMEA and the Americas. - Promoted early to Vice President. Revenue Forecasting & Pipeline Management, Customer Success and +13 skills

Securities Division Summer Analyst

Goldman Sachs

June 2015 - August 2015

Data-driven Decision Making, Netball and +3 skills

Education

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Master of Business Administration - MBA

2020 - 2022

High Pass in Finance (Money and Banking), Financial Accounting, Optimisation and Simulation Modelling, Creating and Scaling High Potential Ventures. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Venture Capital (VC) Relationship Management and +5 skills

University of York

BA, Philosophy, Politics, Economics

2012 - 2015

1st in first year, including: Reason and Argument-83, Using Maths in Economics-90, Economics-80 (top 5%) 1st in second year, including: Financial and Capital Markets-95 (3rd in year), Microeconomics-93 (5th in year) Netball and Market Analysis