The Faith Effect

Faith Osei-Tutu ‘23 (ISyE) doesn’t just walk into a room; she blazes a trail through it.

Raised by Ghanaian immigrants, born in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and having grown up in a small city just outside of Seattle, Washington, Osei-Tutu’s journey has always been defined by what could be considered a dual citizenship of the soul. She carries the strength of her roots into every space she occupies — whether it’s a high-stakes supply chain meeting at L’Oréal, a national student organization conference or the center of an ice skating rink

Osei-Tutu is an esteemed alumna of the University of San Diego’s (USD) Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. For her, being a Changemaking Engineer isn't just a buzzword, it is a daily affirmation. She credits her mother for her fearless approach to life, who reminded her every morning at her school drop-off to "reach for the stars."

Osei-Tutu’s mother, Victoria, reflects: “From the time my children were small, I’ve instilled in them the courage to never play small and the confidence to reach for the stars in all they do. Because with Jesus at the center, there is nothing you cannot accomplish and no impact you cannot make.” 

For many first-generation students, the focus is often narrow: get the grades, pass the test, survive. But Osei-Tutu learned early on the power and richness of relationships. 

"Coming from a small context, reaching for what seems 'impossible' always felt possible because of the community around me," she explains. Mentors like Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering Odesma Dalrymple and Associate Dean Rick Olson, PhD, didn't just teach her about engineering; they challenged her to challenge herself. 

Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Inclusive Excellence and advisor for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Rhonda Harley, PhD, also played an instrumental role in Osei-Tutu’s pathway towards empowerment — harvesting leadership opportunities for her to finetune and ultimately thrive in. 

“Faith served as an extraordinary mentor, role model and leader for NSBE members and officers, leading brilliantly in her capacity as president.” Harley continues, “She's not your average engineer. She showed up, she busted down the walls, she established her work ethic and set it as a precedent for others to follow. She was always there for others.” 

Harley also praises Osei-Tutu’s involvement as a USD alumna, as one who is constantly “evolving, shifting and shaping” and always giving back to the school. “Hers is a really powerful story — a story of living and loving a whole dream.”

This immensely personal support system created what many at USD now refer to as "The Faith Effect." Since her graduation, Osei-Tutu’s long-reaching impact has created a virtual monopoly on leadership within the NSBE student organization on campus — establishing a pipeline that ensures strong leadership for the USD campus chapter for years to come.

"NSBE taught me that grades don't matter as much as the relationships you cultivate," Osei-Tutu explains. She mastered the art of communication and community building long before she stepped into the corporate office. Her advice to current Toreros? "Don't just study. Build a home within your professional community. That is what helps you navigate the high-stakes environment of a global brand."

Today, Osei-Tutu works as a supply chain senior analyst for L’Oréal USA. She is a Lean Six Sigma practitioner and a figure skater. On the surface, supply chain data and ice skating seem worlds apart, but they share a common language: Precision.

"If everything was easy, you wouldn’t realize your growth," Osei-Tutu says. The discipline required to land a jump on the ice is the same discipline she uses to tackle complex supply chain problems at L’Oréal. She has broken the stereotype that engineers are one-dimensional.Through her growing social presence, Faith exemplifies the "Modern Engineer" — someone who refuses to choose between logic and passion.

Recently, Osei-Tutu became one of the select few faces of a 2026 global L’Oréal campaign with the bold tagline: "Life is too short for a boring career." The new branding campaign encourages a non-linear career pathway for their employees — one that is based on fearlessness, innovation and an empowered sense of boldness in their professional journey.

For Osei-Tutu, this wasn't just a corporate slogan. It was a moment of profound representation. Seeing her face in the Paris Metro was a testament to the hurdles she has cleared as a first-generation graduate and a Black woman in STEM.

"I felt so complete. I have always said that the beginning doesn't define you — it’s the journey toward the end that matters. And while this isn't the end, it is a magnificent new beginning for Faith,” explains Victoria, who flew from Ghana on her way back to the U.S. just to see her daughter on the billboard in person. “I am so proud because she is someone who gives 110% to everything she touches. I want to emphasize how powerful our words are to our children when they are young; Faith is truly a seed that I did my absolute best to water — and now, I am seeing her bloom."

As her legacy at USD continues to grow — marked by her recent receipt of the Josh Williams Legacy Award — Faith Osei-Tutu remains focused on the "Butterfly Effect." One small action, one courageous "yes" to a global campaign, and the world changes for her — and for everyone following in her footsteps.