CPA: The tool to pursue your passion
How Ada Adeleke-Kelani found her passion and helps others do the same
Ada Adeleke-Kelani CPA, CA started the journey to her designation as a way of taking a stand against societal expectations. Ada’s mother initially wanted her to become a doctor, but Ada felt differently and decided to try accounting. “I surprised myself when I graduated as the best student and the first female ever in the Accountancy department!” Ada says with a grin.
Ada obtained her first accounting designation in Nigeria. When she and her family moved to Canada, she found herself at the beginning of the designation journey again. She was taken aback. “It was hard not to say, ‘Are you for real? Do you know how long ago I was designated?’” remembers Ada.
Ada then reframed the situation as an opportunity to expand her mindset and grow her network, all while getting a refresher on the basics of the designation; this experience helped her remain humble. “Having restarted the journey showed me I could do whatever I put my heart and my head into,” says Ada.
That belief, combined with her growth mindset, has served her well over the years—through transitioning from public practice to industry and now in public service. She has also written and published three books (so far!) and started her own YouTube channel known as the Quip Corner with Ada—an apt endeavor for someone who describes herself as the “Quip Queen.”
Ada’s life experiences and other life lessons are the basis for the quips in her first book, 101 Quips and Quotes That Will Charge and Change Your Life, and her other books that make up the 101 Quips and Quotes collection.
In addition to her other hats, Ada is a Certified Leadership Coach. She calls herself “the Diamond Cutter” because she helps people “carve out” and polish their brilliance—just like she did in her life when she started from scratch and gained her designation in Canada.
“I love love love helping people discover and deploy—and in some cases, discover and deepen—their brilliance,” says Ada.
“You shouldn’t let failure stall you or success stagnate you” is something Ada constantly reminds herself and others. “Are you learning? Are you growing? Are you glowing wherever you go? That’s important.”
Ada uses these and other questions to help others discover their brilliance and their passion and, ultimately, excel. “We all need to determine what our purpose is and pursue it with passion to have a fulfilled life,” she believes.