EMEKA ONWUGBENU | PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Emeka Onwugbenu
Founder and CEO, E Properties and Development

Emeka Onwugbenu originally left Nigeria with the intent to be in Pittsburgh for one or two years; however, Onwugbenu, who studied at regional universities, ended up staying.

As CEO of a real estate development business, E Properties and Development, he seeks to negotiate, collaborate and innovate. Community is at the core of his work — he beams when talking about employing dozens at his company (established in 2011) and partnering to create spaces, such as the Lawrenceville Lofts.

The School Builders, an affiliate of E Properties, focuses on developing educational spaces. When considering the future, he says he’d love to see more upward mobility for transplants to Pittsburgh — chances for them to “tap in to take advantage of all the city has to offer.”

He suggests that young adults network and leverage the many resources available; he personally is involved with organizations such as Jubilee Association.