Kipenzi Chidinma is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of LINĒIJ™. Ms. Chidinma received her B.S. in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Biology from California State University, Los Angeles. She started her career as a research scientist, studying DNA sequences and immunoassays at Siemens. After spending more than ten years in the science field, Kipenzi decided to pursue another career. She earned her M.B.A. in international business and fashion marketing from Woodbury University. During her time at Woodbury, she participated in a study abroad program in Türkiye which ignited her creative passion and led to her creating LINĒIJ™. Kipenzi made history by becoming the first person of Turks and Caicos descent to launch a sustainably sourced, bespoke, luxury executive gift and accessory brand. Kipenzi unites functionality, luxury, and sustainability through her brand. After starting her business in 2015, she bought her manufacturing in Istanbul, Turkey in March of 2019. LINĒIJ™ manufactures various luxury apparel, private label items, personal protective equipment, bespoke executive/promotional gifts, and footwear for adults/children. Under her leadership, LINĒIJ™ has opened offices in New Orleans, Istanbul, and Los Angeles. As a result of her hard work, and perseverance – she has earned great recognition for her creativity and business acumen. Kipenzi has been featured in prominent publications including We Are Woman Owned, Rolling Out Magazine, Rising Star Finalist – Presented by Fashion Group International of New York, and 2018 finalist in the Design Excellence Awards 2021 & 2023, presented by the Accessory Council. LINĒIJ™ has also been named as a supplier for the National Football League, Super Bowl IV supplier, a preferred supplier for the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, a preferred supplier for the NFL, is a member of ForbesBLK, and named as one of the Forbes 1000 https://www.forbes.com/profile/kipenzi-chidinma/.
Ms. Chidinma also advises multinational companies on best practices for entering the North American market. She also serves on boards such as City National Bank Advisory Board, Woodbury University’s College of Business Advisory Board, and California State University, Los Angeles College Alumni board, where she is also an instructor.
In addition to her business endeavors, Kipenzi is an advocate for those affected by Huntington’s Disease (HD), which has been described as having ALS + Alzheimer’s + Parkinson’s Diseases at once. Having lost her mother in December 2019 to complications related to HD, she became more steadfast in finding a cure. Presently, 100% of the profits from LINĒIJ™’s HDSA collection are donated to HDSA to find a cure. As a board member for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, Los Angeles Chapter (HDSA, www.hdsa.org), her mission is to educate, empower, and advocate for those with and caring for someone who has HD.
In addition to her above accomplishments, Ms. Chidinma is starting Ph.D. journey fall 2024 at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California – where upon completion she hopes to be considered for a tenure track position at California State University, Los Angeles. Kipenzi hopes she inspires those she encounters to reach their full potential and leave the world better than they found it.
