Garden Academy Board Member

Ayoola Akinnuoye

Ayoola Akinnuoye is married and the father of two teenage boys, one (his eldest) who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at 21 months old. This diagnosis set him and his wife on a journey of making a life for their son that is full of joy and accomplishments anywhere they can find it. Though Ayoola has well-regarded 25-year career in the pharmaceuticals and biotech industry, he has tremendous passion for getting involved in organizations beyond his work that supports his family and educates others about autism. Ayoola became Lay Leader and, subsequently, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church as a way to give back to the church for creating space for his children, particularly his elder son, to become more involved in their inclusive youth activities. Ayoola has an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Hofstra University where he also played Division 1AA football and served as captain. He later earned an Executive MBA at Baruch College Zicklin School of Business. He currently works in Marketing for a small biotech company based in San Francisco. Ayoola and his family reside in Maplewood, NJ.