I'm Pelumi (Iyalla) Adeleke and I love it here in Harris County! Harris County is home to Houston, the Cultural Capital of the South and it is indeed rich with cultural diversity. My husband and I have made this our home, with over 20 years of residency between us.

"As a homeowner and rental property owner in Harris County, I've firsthand experienced the impact of the Appraisal District's policies on residents and small business owners. The unpredictability of appraisal values and the resulting tax bills are a growing concern that I plan to address," - Pelumi
 
STEEPED IN EDUCATION
Born in Alabama, my childhood unfolded across various cities and countries, much like many Houstonians. Completing my education at Rufus King High School in Milwaukee, WI, I pursued higher studies at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy. During my time there, I served as Treasurer of the International Business Student Association and taught introductory Accountancy classes as a Teaching Assistant, instructing freshmen and sophomores in Financial Accounting fundamentals. Subsequently, I became a Certified Public Accountant in Illinois from 2009-2015. In addition, I hold a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School, complemented by certification as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

BUSINESS LEADER
As a seasoned business leader and financial expert, I've prioritized collaboration, innovation, and accountable leadership. With experience at globally renowned professional service firms, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, I've championed financial transparency, aiding Fortune 500 companies and government agencies alike. At Amazon Web Services, I help small and large entities drive digital and data transformations, to successfully navigate today's dynamic landscape. My corporate experience extends to leadership roles such as Global Segment Leader for Oil & Gas Chemicals at the Dow Chemical Company and Country Director at Philips Electronics. Throughout, I've spearheaded initiatives from partnership strategy revolution to global product and services rollout, managing multimillion dollar budgets. My focus remains on optimizing budgets and enhancing relationships with customers and stakeholders, two-way communication and fostering business growth.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE
Beyond my professional endeavors, I am deeply committed to serving my community. As a grassroots volunteer, I've canvassed and contributed to presidential campaigns in the past 6 presidential elections. I also founded programs like the First Community Partners Program for the Harvard Business Club of Houston, aimed at supporting minority-owned businesses with advisory services, education, mentorship, and funding. My dedication to community empowerment extends globally, with collaborations on projects such as water initiatives in Northern Nigeria with TechnoServe, a global nonprofit doing good with business. 

FAMILY AND FAITH
At the heart of it all, my commitment to family and faith grounds me. Together with my husband Maurice Iyalla and our children, Sonari and Tekena, along with nephew Sope, we reside in Houston’s Energy Corridor. I am actively involved in my faith community, leading women’s bible study groups at Hope City Church and mentoring youth at Heritage Chapel, RCCG. Our family finds solace and strength in our faith, which guides us in both our personal and professional lives.