Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun is heading to North Carolina A&T University in November to encourage the school’s students and the surrounding community.
According to an article on the HBCU’s newsroom, the Brown University and Harvard University alum will visit the campus to participate in its Chancellor’s Speaker Series. The initiative brings “nationally distinguished guests to Greensboro for campus dialogue on matters of current and abiding importance to the university community and the world,” per the institution’s website.
Why is Red Lobster’s CEO speaking at North Carolina A&T?
Adamolekun’s educational journey and career track are not only inspiring but also impressive. The 36-year-old has been one of the youngest CEOs in the nation since July 2020. He was appointed CEO of Red Lobster in September 2024, making him the youngest CEO in Red Lobster’s history, according to Fortune. Leading the brand’s 544 North American locations across 44 states as it exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Adamolekun has successfully steered the company through its transition into good standing.
In his previous roles, Adamolekun served as CEO and director of P.F. Chang’s for three years and as a partner at Paulson & Co., which owned the restaurant chain. While at P.F. Chang, he guided the chain through the high-stakes COVID-19 pandemic and helped drive it to about $1 billion in annual revenue, per Goldman Sachs. At Paulson, he focused on sourcing and managing large hospitality and healthcare deals. He also spent time as an operating partner at Garnett Station Partners.
Adamolekun has earned notable recognition in a short span. He won multiple Globee Leadership Awards in 2021, including “CEO of the Year in Food and Beverage” and “CEO of the Year in Hospitality,” as well as other top CEO honors. He later landed on Fortune’s 100 Most Powerful People in Business list in 2024 and was named to Ebony’s 2025 Power 100 in the Business Disruptors category.
What will Red Lobster’s CEO speak about at North Carolina A&T?
The educational event, titled “The CEO Edge – Commanding Every Opportunity,” is open to the public and scheduled for Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Harrison Auditorium at North Carolina A&T. The mission of the speaker series is to allow attendees to engage in stimulating conversations that expand into collaborative exchanges. The focus of Adamolekun’s discussion will specifically be on “leadership, innovation, and navigating challenges in today’s evolving business landscape.”
There is no cost to attend the speaking series. Tickets are available for purchase in November at North Carolina A&T’s Ticket Office located in Brown Hall.