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Eyitemi Popo (MDEI 鈥�16)
Founder, Girls Trip Tours

Why did you choose the MDEI program?

When I discovered the program, I was thrilled to find something predesigned at the master鈥檚 level that seamlessly integrated the creative and the technical. It felt like a natural next step, and it was exciting to join a community of like-minded individuals who valued both innovation and entrepreneurship. The program provided an opportunity to deepen my understanding of using design as a tool to develop scalable business models and lead innovative projects with real-world impact.

Why was creating a travel experience for women important to you?

The idea for Girls Trip Tours came to me after a year of continuous travel. As someone who had lived in several countries and traveled extensively growing up, I noticed a gap in the tourism industry 鈥� few experiences focused on creating safe, intentional spaces for women, especially Black women, to explore and thrive. I wanted travel to be more than ticking places off a bucket list. I wanted it to be about making memories the soul would remember long after the mind forgets.听

鈥淲e鈥檙e not just running trips but creating a platform for transformation and collective growth.鈥澨�

鈥斕�Eyitemi听Popo (MDEI 鈥�16)听

Six years after founding the company, what still surprises or inspires you?

What continues to inspire me is seeing the connections formed during these trips. Women leave with lifelong friendships, newfound confidence and sometimes even business collaborations. It鈥檚 a reminder that we鈥檙e not just running trips but creating a platform for transformation and collective growth.

What surprises me is how much this mission resonates globally. Women from all walks of life are seeking spaces where they can feel celebrated, supported and at ease. That universal desire has shaped the way I think about expanding the company.

First Girls Trip Tour trip to Ghana

Looking ahead, what do you envision for Girls Trip Tours?

From the bustling city of Nairobi to the tranquil vineyards outside Cape Town, Girls Trip Tours is transforming how people experience Africa by creating an alternative tourism economy called Iranti. Powered by women, Iranti shifts tourism from surface-level sightseeing to deep cultural immersion and social impact.鈥�

By partnering with locally owned, women-led businesses, we ensure that tourism dollars directly empower African women and girls.

Each curated experience 鈥� from walking through South Africa鈥檚 only fully Black-owned wine farm to safaris led by Africa鈥檚 first all-women guide team 鈥� fosters meaningful connections, uplifts communities and inspires travellers long after their journey ends.

Looking ahead, we aim to expand our impact through B2B partnerships so that other organizations can leverage our ecosystem to curate conscious-by-default travel. Each trip booked with us will continue to sponsor a girl鈥檚 education for one school year, creating positive changes that uplift entire communities.

A Girls Trip Tour with safari guide team in Botswana

Can you explain the impact mentorship has had on you and why it鈥檚 a priority in your work?

Mentorship has been a cornerstone of my journey, both as a mentee and mentor. Throughout my career, having access to mentors helped me navigate the workplace, particularly as a young Black woman in industries where representation remains scarce like luxury beauty, wealth management, deep tech, artificial intelligence and venture capital.

At Girls Trip Tours, embedding mentorship through my foundation, , is my way of paying it forward. I was lucky enough to be raised by a mother and grandmother who both pursued advanced degrees, but many of the girls in our programs are first-generation students, so my aim is to give them more examples of what鈥檚 possible if they stay the course and continue their education.