Profile: Pierre ’06 Named “40 Under Forty”

by Samuel T. Clover ’91

Talking with Nkrumah Pierre ’06 is like boarding a high-speed luxury train: He’s polished, solid, agile, and speaks with a rapid cadence that drives the conversation forward while never losing focus on the topic—or you. Key qualities for someone who makes his living by networking.

A senior manager of business development for New York-based recruiting and staffing firm Russell Tobin & Associates, Pierre was recently recognized by The Network Journal in its annual “40 Under Forty” feature on young professionals to watch. The monthly business magazine focuses on black professionals and small business owners.

Pierre, an economics and business graduate, credits several professors for his pathway to success: Thomas Bruggink, professor emeritus of economics; Edward Seifried, professor emeritus of economics and business; and John McCartney, the late associate professor of government and law (“one of the toughest professors I’ve ever had in my life”).

He is also grateful for his internship in Career Services. “Career Services is near and dear to me,” he says, “for helping me with my résumé, for my internship, and helping me to learn how to network and make connections.”

“I’m a huge proponent of networking,” says Pierre. “I love connecting like-minded individuals, I love adding value to other people, and also it’s something I’m passionate about.”

At Russell Tobin, he’s head of diversity and inclusion, seeking to enrich his clients with candidates of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people from underrepresented colleges and universities. “Diversity is essential to collaboration, and collaboration is essential to increasing profit.”

Community has long been important for Pierre. He serves with United Way’s Young Leaders Council and mentors children and youth through Harlem Children’s Zone and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity. President of the New York Alumni Chapter, he is former co-chair of McDonogh Network and serves on the Implementation and Assessment Group on Greek Life.