When you talk to Tayo Badejo about her work, one thing becomes clear very quickly. It is not just about systems or delivery. It is about people.
Today, she works as a Scrum Master at TD Bank Group, supporting the Workforce Identity and Access Management team. In simple terms, her team ensures that employees have the right access to the right tools at the right time. It is complex work in a highly regulated space where speed must always balance with control.
Tayo’s role sits right at the center of this tension.
"I often describe myself as a barrier breaker," she says. "If there are blockers, I remove them. If there are gaps, I help the team close them."
Her work lives at the intersection of delivery, governance, and people. She facilitates conversations and creates the conditions for teams to deliver efficiently without compromising on compliance. But her real strength is not just process. It is how she connects people. That ability did not come from a straight line.
Tayo’s journey began in Nigeria where she studied Computer Science. It was not a natural fit at first, so she pivoted. She moved into auditing, then accounting, then finance. Each move felt uncertain at the time.
"It was chaotic," she admits. "I kept starting again."
Everything changed when she was given the opportunity to support a major finance transformation project. That moment unlocked a new passion.
"I loved the energy, the leadership, and the problem solving," she says. "I knew I could not go back."
From there, she began to shape her path with intention. She moved from finance into HR, then into project delivery, and eventually into Agile ways of working. Looking back, what once felt scattered is now her greatest advantage.
"I can connect the dots," she says. "I understand finance, governance, people, and technology. That helps me see problems differently."
Solving the Human Bottleneck
Tayo thrives in bottlenecks—the kind that seem impossible at first glance. For her, most blockers are not technical. They are human.
"They are often about communication, alignment, or competing priorities," she explains. "Sometimes the difference between being stuck and making progress is the right conversation with the right person at the right time."
In a regulated environment, that mindset is critical. Agile delivery is not just about moving fast. It is about moving right. She approaches this with a balance shaped by her audit background. She is always thinking ahead: if this work is reviewed months from now, will the decisions and controls make sense?
This discipline allows her team to move with both speed and confidence.
None of this happens without continuous learning. When she hears something unfamiliar, she writes it down, researches it, and asks questions. Learning, for her, is not about collecting certifications. It is a daily practice. She learns through her work, through books, and through professional communities like PMI Southwest Ontario.
"When I attend PMISWOC events, I am reminded that there are incredible people and opportunities right here in our local community," she says. "Every event is a chance to learn and build meaningful relationships."
Intentional Connection
That same intentionality shapes how she networks. For Tayo, it is never about volume. It is about value.
"Two meaningful connections are better than twenty random ones," she notes.
She prepares before events by researching people, connecting with genuine interest, and then nurturing those relationships over time. She is also very clear about something many people overlook: you have to build yourself first.
"There has to be something there when people find you," she says.
That belief comes from her experience of building quietly through volunteering, showing up, and creating value before expecting anything in return. Today, she carries her value with confidence and clarity.
Underneath it all is her foundation. Tayo is unapologetic about her faith and describes herself as a “Jesus Baby”. Noting that everything else flows from that identity. It shapes how she leads, how she treats people, and how she navigates change.
“For me, I am in this position because I am a child of God,” she says. “Not the other way around.”
As she looks ahead, she is intentionally preparing for her next chapter in leadership. She is honing skills like communication, psychological safety and influence before the title arrives.
"I don't want to get there and be unprepared," she says.
Advice for the Next Generation
Her advice to emerging professionals is simple: do not try to build your career alone.
"Mentorship can help you grow faster," she says. "Sponsorship can open doors in rooms you may not yet have access to."
She encourages others to become comfortable with AI while staying people centered. While the workplace changes quickly, she believes those who stay curious and adaptable will always stand out.
Outside of work, Tayo loves fitness, running, and building community. What started as a personal goal has inspired those around her to begin their own wellness journeys. She shows up fully and authentically in every area of her life.
"My name means joy," she says. "And I try to live that every day."
In every room she walks into, that is exactly what she brings.
The PMI-SWOC Spotlight series celebrates the diverse journeys of our members. Do you have a story to share? You can nominate someone (or yourself) for our next featurehere
