Eric Idehen
Eric’s personal and professional travels took him from his home country of
Nigeria to Ukraine, Spain, and finally the United States of America. During his
long odyssey from Nigeria, he nursed the dream of opening orphanages in
Africa (Nigeria). The Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage is the realization of that
dream that began many years ago.
Eric graduated from Federal Polytechnic Auchi (Nigeria) with Higher National
Diploma in Quantity Surveying, Master’s Degree in Business Administration
from University of Phoenix (USA), Masters of Philosophy in Industrial and
Organizational Psychology Walden University (USA) and presently working
on his Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Walden University
(USA).
Eric joined Amerifirst Financial Corporation* in August 2021 as the Director
of Community Development. Before that, he worked for Wells Fargo in various
positions, including teller, customer service representative, personal banker,
community development and diversity consultant. In 2010, he was promoted
to Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion. He worked for Bank of the West
2012 - 2014 as Branch Sales Manager and briefly as the Unit Direct for the
Ellis Levitt Boys and Girls Clubs in Des Moines, Iowa, before returning to
Wells Fargo as Vice President of Community Relations (June 2014 - May 2021
Eric sits on the board of the Northwest Rotary Club, and many more, where he
continues his service to his community and shares his experience with others.
Past board and Committee membership include the Iowa Community Capitol,
6thAvenue Corridor, OneEconomy, Iowa Literacy Council, American Red
Cross Board of Central Iowa, the New Iowan Centers Community Advisory
Committee, the Greater Des Moines Partnership Diversity Committee, Iowa
International Center, etc.
Eric and his wife, Emily, live in Urbandale, Iowa and have three sons and one
daughter. In addition to several Nigerian dialects, Eric also speaks fluent
Spanish and Russian.