Wahab Owolabi

Wahab Owolabi

Founder OneReq, Head of DEIB Duolingo

Wahab Owolabi is a seasoned technology executive with a track record of driving Talent Management initiatives spanning Venture Capital, Startups, Big Tech, & Higher Education. The Founder of OneReq and Producer of the URx Conference, Wahab is also the Head of DEIB at Duolingo.

Prior to joining Duolingo, Wahab led DEI at Facebook/Meta, for teams spanning Policy, Legal, and Recruiting. Before his tenure at Facebook/Meta, Wahab established the University Recruiting and Talent Programs function at Rubrik. Under his leadership, Rubrik emerged as an employer of choice for top engineering students, securing a spot in the top 10 of LinkedIn's Career Launching Startups.

Wahab's expertise extends further back to his time as a Talent Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, where he cultivated a network of top university talent and facilitated recruiting efforts for portfolio companies. Wahab began his career in Higher Education serving in key roles at Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University, where he facilitated the recruitment of university talent for leading technology companies, paving the way for students to embark on remarkable technical careers.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Wahab is deeply committed to fostering diversity in the tech industry and serves on the Board of ColorStack, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing underrepresented college computer science students. With a wealth of experience and a passion for entrepreneurship, community and opportunity,, Wahab is always available to support meaningful contributions to diversity, equity, & inclusion in the tech industry and beyond.

9:45 AM (PDT) - 10:00 AM (PDT)
Main Stage

Welcome + Opening Remarks

10:00 AM (PDT) - 10:45 AM (PDT)
Main Stage

How AI is Reshaping Talent Management at the Entry Points of the Workforce

As the landscape of talent management evolves, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has become increasingly prevalent, revolutionizing how organizations identify, onboard, & develop talent, particularly at the entry points of the workforce. This panel brings together industry experts to delve into the transformative impact of AI on recruiting strategies, focusing specifically on entry-level positions.

- The impact AI has had on the emerging talent recruiting profession

- Navigating the risks & rewards of leveraging AI in recruiting

- What the future looks like for entry-point recruiting

4:30 PM (PDT) - 5:15 PM (PDT)
Main Stage

The Shifting Talent Pipelines across Education and Workforce

Join a panel featuring Farouk Dey, Vice Provost for Integrative Learning at Johns Hopkins University, and Gino Rooney, Co-founder CEO of Classet, in a discussion moderated by OneReq Founder Wahab Owolabi on "How Shifting Workforce Talent Pipelines across Education and Industry is impacting the Future of Work"

Delve into the impact of the pandemic, artificial intelligence, and the macroeconomy on blue-collar and white-collar jobs, exploring the evolving relationship between education and industry. Gain insights and strategies for navigating the changing landscape of workforce talent pipelines, whether you're an educator, industry professional, or policymaker, in this dynamic session.

In this session, we'll explore the impacts of the pandemic, artificial intelligence, and macroeconomic changes on both blue-collar and white-collar jobs. We'll discuss how these factors are altering the relationship between education and industry, examining the evolving landscape of talent pipelines. Whether you're an educator, industry professional, or policymaker, you'll gain insights and strategies for navigating these changes.

Specifically, we'll address how the pandemic, AI, and macroeconomic shifts have affected talent development organizations and the workforce, particularly in the realms of technology and skilled trades. We'll also explore the opportunities arising for both the workforce and those involved in higher education, talent development, and upskilling initiatives. Join us for a dynamic session where we'll delve into these topics and more, providing valuable insights for adapting to the evolving workforce landscape.