We were lucky to catch up with Modupé Congleton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Modupé thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

WHY PIVOT NOW?
When I was exiting the last company I worked for, I began to think about ownership. About legacy. And I found my light in realizing the impact of continuing to carry the torch forward in a way that makes others in my community proudly say, “she represents us well.”

THE STORY BEHIND THE BRAND NAME FINALLY FREE?
The idea for Finally Free was born as I was struggling through a deep depression while helping my best friend cope with the loss of her teenage son to cancer. I began searching for a creative outlet that would allow me to free myself from those overwhelming feelings of grief and darkness.

Finally Free luxury athleisure wear brand is a manifestation of the never ending quest to embrace our true selves, free from the weight
of life’s heaviest moments and empowered by a hopeful outlook steeped in endless possibility. Born out of Modupe’s deep love for fashion combined with her determination to create something beautiful out of something painful, Finally Free effortlessly marries inclusive comfort with unique style and deep purpose.

Modupé, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

**Pivoting with Purpose**

Modupé Congleton is a visionary leader with a distinguished 20-year career whose professional track record reflects an unwavering commitment to empowering underrepresented voices and fostering inclusive environments across industries.

Modupé has made significant contributions to global corporations like Cisco Systems, where her work transformed their corporate culture to drive substantial increases in revenue, and Amazon, where she led DEI integration across the company landscape, creating inclusive experiences for 1.5 million employees, 600+ million customers, and the communities it serves.

At a glance, Modupé is a seasoned global executive committed to fostering the next generation of leaders who brings a wealth of experience and an impressive resume to back it up.

But what lies beneath the surface is a story that’s still being told.

After a battle with depression induced by debilitating grief following unimaginable loss, Modupé pivoted to embark on a new chapter as a “purposeful entrepreneur.” Equipped with an inspiring testimony about overcoming darkness by letting the promise of freedom light the way, the most challenging year of her life led her to a new beginning unlike any other she’s had before.

That journey expanded her focus on culture transformation beyond the corporate sphere and into the worlds of fashion, filmmaking, and philanthropy.

On the film side, Modupé operates as a purpose-driven film producer dedicated to elevating marginalized voices and harnessing the power of representation through storytelling.

As an angel investor, she invests her time, money and experts in businesses in diverse communities around the world through financial support and dedicated mentorship.

As a fashion creative, her newly-launched Finally Free luxury athleisure wear brand is a manifestation of the never ending quest to embrace our true selves, free from the weight of life’s heaviest moments and empowered by a hopeful outlook steeped in endless possibility. Born out of Modupé’s deep love for fashion combined with her determination to create something beautiful out of something painful, Finally Free effortlessly marries inclusive comfort with unique style and deep purpose.

When she’s not working, Modupé enjoys spending time in the warmth of her home or the laughter-filled company of friends and family. She is a mother of four beautiful daughters.

From the boardroom to the cutting room to the showroom, Modupé continues to redefine leadership through the lens of sustainable impact as she builds a personal and professional legacy she can be proud of for generations to come.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My. Bio speaks to this but in 2024, my position as a DEI executive was eliminated and after taking some time to regroup and more importantly figure out what my next career move was going to be, I decided to think deeply about purpose, passion and legacy.

Through this deep reflection, i decided to pursue fashion design. I love fashion and how fashion can be symbolic of how we feel about ourselves. I started dreaming about creating a collection that truly personified chic, versatility and confidence. Hence, Finally Free was born,

Finally Free honors and celebrates the journey to freedom for everyone.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the unhealthy practice of busy-ness. As a corporate executive, i would spend hours in meetings, rushing to grab food in between, be a mom, balance being a wife and a leader all within a short window each day.

When i decided to step away from corporate i realized that quality in connections and meetings over quantity can contribute to your quality of life. There is such joy in planning my days now that don’t consist of 12, 30 minute meetings.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.finallyfreebrands.com
• Instagram: Modupe_c
• LinkedIn: Modupercongleton
• Other: I also have a finally free IG as well. Finallyfreebrands