O
by Nwabuzor’s devotion to her hometown drives every decision she makes. “Milwaukee is home,” she says, “and I believe we can become a better community.” Her journey began in high school at Rufus King, where she joined Amnesty International’s student chapter and later, at the University of Wisconsin‑Milwaukee, she canvassed for elections, helping residents register and vote.

    Once celebrated as the best‑dressed student at Rufus King, she had dreamed of a WNBA career. A serious injury forced her to pivot, and she discovered that her true passion lay in community advocacy. “Community has always been at the core of everything I’ve done,” she explains. “I wanted a role that was outward‑facing and rooted in the community.”

    With a Doctor of Public Health in Applied Public Health Practice and Leadership, Nwabuzor now sits at the crossroads of public health, real estate development, and systems innovation. She founded Envision Growth, a firm that leverages real‑estate projects to foster healthier neighborhoods. The built environment—homes, schools, roads, parks—serves as the canvas for her work. Projects include collaborating with county officials to restore affordable housing and partnering with the Community Development Alliance and Habitat for Humanity on the Early Childhood Education Housing initiative.

    In addition to her entrepreneurial role, she directs the Social Drivers of Health Strategy at Advocate Health. Her mentor, Ossie Kendrix, describes her as “a visionary force who bridges public health and real estate to build communities where people don’t just live, they thrive.”

    Nwabuzor’s first real‑world exposure to Milwaukee’s disparities came while working for the American Heart Association after graduation. As a native of the city, she saw the inequities that had always been present but now became starkly visible. “It was probably always right in front of me,” she says, “but as we grow, we start seeing things differently and the picture becomes clearer.” While some might leave the city in response, she uses those insights to inform her daily work.

    Kirsten Beyer, her dissertation chair, notes that Nwabuzor’s early vision was to merge public health with real‑estate development—an uncommon pairing. Over time, she refined her skill set and communication, earning a doctorate that solidified her expertise. Critics who view real‑estate development solely as profit miss the heart of Envision Growth’s mission: building healthier communities through thoughtful design and investment.

    Kendrix praises her for building lasting systems rather than chasing titles. “Her work sits at the intersection of public health, real estate, and equity,” he says, “and she moves through those spaces with quiet power that commands respect without demanding it.”

    Outside of her professional life, Nwabuzor is a voracious reader on housing and related topics, continually expanding her knowledge to improve her impact. Her consulting portfolio spans early‑stage commercial projects, single‑family revitalization, and workforce housing. She has secured over $1.7 million in funding to expand SNAP access, support healthy food retail, and enhance walkability across Wisconsin. In 2022, Governor Tony Evers appointed her to the Wisconsin Public Health Council, where she contributes to statewide health and policy strategies.

    “Milwaukee is so communal,” she says. “It’s rare to find a city where you have access to so many leaders and change‑makers who can influence the spaces people inhabit.”

    Nwabuzor’s family heritage is a blend of Nigerian and American roots. Her maternal grandfather, Chief David Ojo Abiodun Oguntoye, was a prominent Nigerian chief, the 48th indigenous attorney in Nigeria, and an anti‑colonial advocate. He co‑founded the law firm Oguntoye & Oguntoye in 1949, which remains operational. “He was a steward of the land and an advocate for his time,” she recalls. “My siblings and I are his legacy, continuing to champion contemporary causes.”

    Her mother, a nurse who taught linguistics in Nigeria, and her father, who ran a non‑medical transportation business and worked in agricultural research and government, also shaped her worldview.

    Known for her strong work ethic and an impressive sneaker collection, Nwabuzor is deeply spiritual. She insists that faith and work are inseparable. “I like to play my part,” she says. “Being a vessel—whether biblically or in real life—allows the blood to return to the heart. My role is through real‑estate development in the built environment.” Faith guided her decision to pursue a doctorate during the COVID pandemic. “God tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘you’re going back to school,’” she recalls. She earned her PhD from the Medical College of Wisconsin in May, a credential she believes will further integrate her public‑health and real‑estate expertise.

    Beyer describes her as a change‑maker, a strong voice, and a natural leader. “It isn’t one accomplishment I’m proud of,” he says. “It’s her consistent interest in making an impact and her ongoing commitment to moving toward a better world.”