Francis Osei-Bonsu will never forget his mother’s last words.

His biggest influence growing up, Francis’s mother believed in the power of continuous learning, frequently reminding Francis that learning and always striving to do his best at whatever he did were the keys to success.

“My mother passed away when I was 15 years old,” Francis said. “But her last words to me – to go to school and get an education – have stayed with me ever since.”

Building the Foundation

Francis was born in Toronto and lived there the first four years of his life before his family moved to Nigeria. He attributes this move to giving him an appreciation of life and the importance of giving back to others.

“I grew up in a very supportive family believes it takes a village to raise a child,” Francis says. “From a young age, they taught me the important of treating everybody with respect.

This foundation has deeply ingrained values of respect and support in Francis’s family life. Now residing in Sudbury with his wife and two children, these principles remain steadfast guides.

“My family is my rock,” Francis says. “Their belief in me has shaped who I am, as a husband, father and leader.”

Francis’s family continues to inspire him in both his personal and professional life, fueling his passion and determination as he navigates his career path.

Chemistry and Curiosity

A childhood love of chemistry led Francis to look to chemical engineering as a potential career path, and in 2011 he returned to Canada to pursue his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at Laurentian University.

Studying chemical engineering allowed Francis to learn many important skills – problem solving, critical thinking, time management, etc. – that are transferable beyond engineering. Upon graduating in 2015, Francis realized that he did not necessarily have to work in engineering to leverage those skills.

“Coming from a technical background, I was curious to learn more about supply chain management, logistics and warehouse management, as well as how to run a business area,” Francis said.

This thirst for knowledge led Francis to further his education with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), sparking a passion that would steer his career for years to come.

The Sky is the Limit

Francis’s professional career began nine years ago at PepsiCo Foods Canada, where he held multiple supervisory roles.

His leadership skills were initially questioned by his team due to his age and perceived lack of work experience he said. Earning their trust was his number one priority.

“It was very important to me,” Francis said. “By addressing productivity obstacles, proving myself to be a valuable resource and treating my team members with respect, I was able to achieve it.”

Francis was ultimately promoted to Business Unit Leader, and it was in this role that he was named “Supervisor of the Year” – an achievement he attributes to the principles instilled in him at a young age.

“This recognition highlighted to me that the sky really is the limit when you put in 100% at everything you do.”

The Power of Mentorship

Joining Vale Canada as a Warehouse Supervisor in 2019, Francis ascended to his current role in October 2023, where he oversees the operations of all company warehouses in Ontario.

“The transition was easy, considering warehousing and logistics are universal fields and a lot of processes are the same regardless of industry,” Francis said, though he acknowledges being a little nervous at first.

“The support of my team and my manager made the transition seamless, and I’ve had the opportunities to learn from people who are both very knowledgeable about the business and not afraid to give tough feedback when needed.”

Mentorship has been a cornerstone of his growth as a leader, Francis said, reserving special praise for his manager, Nickey Cox.

“Nickey sets the tone for treating everyone fairly,” Francis said, emphasizing how her guidance has cultivated a workplace culture of diversity and inclusion. “She’s taught me the importance of trusting your team, understanding their strengths, and positioning them for success.”

Francis shared another piece of advice from Nickey reminiscent of his mother’s wisdom: “Being a leader doesn’t require knowing and doing everything,” he said. “In a leadership role, it’s essential to make yourself available to support your teams - and remain open to learning from them too.”

Paying the Rent

Francis’s career experiences inform his perspective on Black Excellence, a concept that for him is not just an abstract idea, but a lived experience rooted in the values imparted throughout his youth.

“It means working hard and not taking the opportunities you earn for granted,” he said, drawing inspiration from a quote by Mohammed Ali, the legendary boxer and Black activist.

“He said, ‘service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.’ I interpret that as a call to care about others, to learn and share with humility and lead by example in my community.”

“And above all,” Francis adds, reflecting on his mother’s guidance.

“Always do your best.”