Oliver Pau (center) with fellow ACRED members prior to ACRED’s spring 2025 meeting. (Photo by Jeyhoun Allebaugh)
Oliver Pau ’92, ’98 (MPH), ’98 (MBA), Carolina alumnus and founder of the plant-based food business Dojo Fresh, shares his Carolina story and why he volunteers as a member of ACRED.
To start, could you share a bit about your experience at Carolina over the years?
PAU: Like so many alumni, my time at Carolina is filled with happy memories. I first came to Chapel Hill as an undergraduate, later returned to the Gillings School of Global Public Health for a master’s in environmental science and engineering, and then completed my MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Carolina has shaped every stage of my life.
It’s also deeply personal. I met my wife at Carolina. We sent both of our children here. We live nearby and still enjoy walking through campus, strolling Franklin Street, and attending football and basketball games. Being part of the Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity (ACRED) has given me another meaningful way to stay connected and engaged with the University.
In what ways did your time at Carolina shape your personal or professional journey?
PAU: Each degree led naturally to my next professional chapter. My training in business and environmental science prepared me to work as a laboratory manager, an environmental consultant and eventually as an environmental program manager overseeing the redevelopment of brownfield properties.
Carolina also prepared me for entrepreneurship. Today, as the founder of a startup packaged food company, I still draw on lessons from UNC Kenan-Flagler. I’ve also found continued support through Innovate Carolina and through engagement with undergraduate student groups. The University doesn’t just educate you once — it continues to be a resource long after graduation.
Do you remember making your first donation to Carolina?
PAU: I don’t remember my first donation, but the most meaningful one was contributing to the campaign to launch the UNC Asian American Center. The idea had been discussed for years, but a group of passionate students and alumni brought it to life through dedication and persistence. Watching their commitment was inspiring — it made the decision to give incredibly easy.
Five years later, the Asian American Center has become an important part of the Carolina experience for students and alumni alike. It’s powerful to see how collective effort can turn an idea into something lasting and impactful.
What does being part of ACRED mean to you?
PAU: ACRED has given me a deeper understanding of the University — its academic programs, its leadership and, most importantly, the real needs of students. It connects funding directly to impact. You see how philanthropy translates into opportunity.
It has also strengthened my commitment to being a regular supporter of the University. When you understand where the needs are and how meaningful even modest contributions can be, it reinforces why staying engaged matters.
Which areas of the University are you most passionate about?
PAU: We’re drawn to parts of the University that have a direct impact on students and may not always receive broad recognition. That includes initiatives like the Asian American Center, underfunded student groups and even non-revenue sports teams. One of the most inspiring programs is the Carolina Covenant, which ensures that talented students from low-income families can attend UNC debt-free. Programs like that preserve what makes Carolina special — opportunity and access.
In what ways does ACRED reflect UNC’s values?
PAU: There’s a special energy that comes from gathering people who share a love for the University and a commitment to making it stronger. ACRED creates a bond between alumni, students and leadership. It helps ensure that a broad range of voices are represented and that inclusion remains central to Carolina’s growth.
What message would you share with current students or recent graduates about staying connected?
PAU: What matters to you now will matter to future students as well. Find something you care about — a program, a community, a cause — and stay involved. Support it, strengthen it and help make things better for the next generation. Engagement doesn’t have to be large or dramatic; consistency over time makes a difference.
What excites you most about UNC’s future?
PAU: Carolina continues to grow in reach and reputation. That growth creates opportunities for more students to have the Carolina experience. I’m excited to see how the University maintains the high standards that brought it here while continuing to expand access and deepen its impact.
When you think about your impact, what legacy would you like to leave?
PAU: Our goals are simple: Leave things better than we found them, and help someone along the way. If we can support initiatives that create opportunity for students and strengthen the Carolina community, that’s meaningful. Carolina has given us so much. Being able to give back — even in small ways — is both a privilege and a responsibility.
As told to Linda Douglas
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