Forging a sustainable future
Becoming an international development expert wasn’t originally Keith Dokho’s (MBA ’03) career goal.
First, he worked in finance, including becoming one of the youngest branch managers for Wells Fargo Financial and managing account relationships for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families at Northern Trust. But as Dokho’s career developed, he felt called to support sustainable business and work with developing countries.
Today, with the help of an MBA from the Quinlan School of Business, he serves as the Private Sector Engagement Secretariat Lead at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and facilitates sustainable and impactful development all around the world. Below, we talked to Dokho about his career, his role at USAID, and how to break into the international development/sustainable business sector.
What was your journey to Loyola?
I grew up in the Detroit area and graduated with an undergrad degree in financial management. I went on to work at Wells Fargo Financial for approximately three years, and through my progression, I found myself as one of the youngest branch managers in the company. That alone was a unique experience for learning.
I sought out Loyola because I wanted a broader and more globally focused degree that would allow me to expand my business knowledge and overall perspective. I looked at Quinlan, which met and exceeded those expectations for an MBA degree.
Afterward, I worked in wealth management at Northern Trust where I witnessed some of our clients' impressive philanthropic efforts, which piqued my interest. I eventually made a pivot to an international development career that combined those philanthropic principles with market-driven economic development through strategic partnerships with businesses. In 2020, I joined USAID.
What is your role at USAID?
USAID is the world’s premier development agency and a catalytic actor in driving global results. We work in over 150 countries where we advance U.S. national security and economic prosperity, which promotes a path to recipient self-reliance. Some of the areas of focus I work in are agriculture, food security, economic growth and trade, nutrition, environment, and humanitarian assistance.
In that, I lead our Private Sector Engagement Secretariat, which facilitates strategic partnerships between public and private actors to achieve scalable outcomes. We engage and partner with companies in various sectors, and my overall goal is to find the alignment at the nexus of business and development objectives while leveraging our joint resources to promote sustainable growth and improve livelihoods.
In fiscal year 2023, we had 1,253 active public-private partnerships in over 100 countries and leveraged over $2.93 billion toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
What inspired you to get involved in sustainability?
It's hard to pinpoint a single inspiration or event. I think it has always been ingrained in me, but my career journey has brought it out. I subscribe to the belief that businesses can do good and do well at the same time. That has driven a lot of where I am today in terms of my career.
I work with some of the most passionate and driven individuals, which really keeps me motivated. I am continually inspired by the incredible innovators and entrepreneurs that I encounter in my work, mainly in the Global South. That is something that really keeps me going, and sometimes I feel like I get more out of it than they do. I hope it is the other way around, but that really inspires me.
What is your advice to students interested in business sustainability?
Talk to people working in the field! I did this when I first began, and I was pleasantly surprised as to how helpful and open people were about discussing the work they were doing. I found in this area between sustainability, business, and development, they are proud and eager to share.
Also, explore multiple entry points as the beauty of this career is that there is no single track. If you take the four pillars of sustainable development – human, social, environmental, economic – there are a multitude of paths using innovation, technology, research, policy, and governance to achieve those goals.
How did Quinlan help prepare you for your career?
The Career Services office was quite helpful, and I utilized their services while in school as well as post-graduation. Another thing that really helped me during my time at Quinlan was my peers who had diverse professional experience. I really utilized them and their networks to help with my career exploration. The international development sector is hiring more MBAs, and companies value employees who can drive sustainable practices in their businesses and supply chains.
Some of the unique offerings, such as business ethics and international marketing courses, were great. The proximity of the Water Tower Campus and connections to Chicago business leaders were also extremely helpful in beginning my career.
Describe Quinlan in 10 words or less
Inspiring, engaging, and challenging experience with an exceptional education.
