Lunch with Leaders: Influence Extraordinary Authentic Women in STEM Careers for Empowerment

Dr. Mia Edgerton-Fulton , a biomedical scientist, educator, and entrepreneur, joins Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discuss her multifaceted career. Dr. Mia shares how she bridges the gap between complex research and real-world impact through her biotech venture, NeuroPlex, and her mentorship initiative, Scholarly Scouts. Who is this for? For women in STEM, aspiring biotech founders, graduate st...

In this solo reflection episode of Launch It Leaders, host ⁠Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠⁠⁠ tackles one of the most frustrating and overused pieces of feedback given to women in leadership: "Be more confident." Who is this for? This episode is for mid-career to senior women in STEM (Director, VP level, and above) tired of receiving vague feedback like "be more confident." It is f...

Key Takeaways: Oluchi Ikechi-D'Amico , a former senior partner at EY Parthenon and Accenture, joins ⁠ Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya to share her journey from corporate powerhouse to the founder of Fully Bossed, a leadership development and AI transformation advisory. Memorable Quotes with Timestamps: [00:00] "What's your story? I say it every single time. What's your story? And I get...

Who is this for? This episode is for leaders at all levels, especially women in STEM, who want to elevate their impact through powerful communication. If you manage a diverse team, need to build trust, or want to craft a personal brand that reflects your true value, this conversation with corporate communications expert Ginikanwa Frank-Durugbor is packed with actionable insights. Summary In this s...

Stop Over-Explaining & Start Leading with Conviction - Embrace a Leadership Mindset Who is this for? This episode is for experienced women in STEM—directors, VPs, and senior leaders—who find themselves stuck in the "expert" box. If you consistently get feedback that you're not quite "ready" for the next level, or you notice that you over-explain your work while others w...

Who is this for? This episode is for leaders, HR professionals, and women in STEM who want to build inclusive workplace cultures. If you are a multi-layered professional, an immigrant, or someone passionate about creating spaces where everyone can thrive, Dr. Lola provides the strategic insights you need. Summary In this insightful Women’s History Month conversation, Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠⁠ i...

Who is this for? This episode is for ambitious women leaders, especially those in STEM, who are navigating the complexities of leadership, family, and entrepreneurship. If you struggle with guilt, undercharging for your expertise, or feeling like you have to compartmentalize your life to succeed, Dr. Nikki Harris offers a powerful and integrated alternative. Summary In this powerful Women’s Histor...

Who is this episode for? This episode is for high-achieving women in STEM who feel stuck in their careers despite their deep technical expertise. If you’ve ever been passed over for a promotion you deserved, felt like your hard work isn’t paying off, or wondered why less qualified colleagues are moving up faster, this episode will provide the clarity and strategic shift you need. Summary: In this...

This podcast delves into Niouma's personal story, from her childhood in Mauritania to her current PhD studies in environmental health at Boston University. Her experiences as a Black woman in STEM, often being the only one in the room, fueled her passion to create change. The Mission of Semega Change: Niouma founded Semega Change to address the underrepresentation of women of color in STEM. Th...

In this solo episode of Launch with Leaders, host Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya tackles a critical issue facing many women in STEM: the feeling of being stuck and exhausted despite working tirelessly. She challenges the long-held belief that hard work alone leads to success, arguing that for women in STEM, this advice often leads to burnout and disappointment. The episode highlights the crucial distin...

Courtney Quarterman , a 20-year veteran in STEM education, PhD candidate in data science, and founder of the Sister Circle Collaborative, joins Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠ to discuss leadership, legacy, and navigating AI as a woman of color in STEM. Memorable Quotes with Timestamps: [05:10] "I really understood that strategic partnerships were key for workforce development." [09:12] &quo...

Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠ tackles a frustrating paradox for high-achieving women in STEM: why do they get passed over for leadership roles despite exceptional performance? She reveals that the very habits that build expertise—being thorough, showing your work, and letting data lead—can signal a lack of leadership to senior executives. They aren’t evaluating your expertise; they assume it. Instea...

In this episode, Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠ talks with Chioma Aso , a systems engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of the nonprofit STEAM Divas . Chioma shares her unique perspective on how our diverse backgrounds, including cultural knowledge, are invaluable assets in the world of technology and AI! She introduces the concept of "systems thinking"—a holistic approach to problem-solving t...

In this episode, Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya talks with Natasha Henry , founder of the health tech company Myocurrent , about her journey from patient to pioneer. Natasha shares the harrowing personal health crisis that led her to pivot her career and dedicate her life to solving systemic issues in women's health. For years, her debilitating symptoms from uterine fibroids were dismissed by doctors a...

In this powerful solo episode of the Lunch with Leaders podcast, host Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠ , a TEDx speaker, leadership strategist, and founder of African Women in STEM, delivers a deeply personal reflection on one of the most overlooked barriers to career advancement for senior women in STEM and corporate leadership: social conditioning. Adaeze uses this solo episode as a one-on-one convers...

This episode of "Lunch with Leaders" features a compelling conversation between host ⁠Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠ and Charis Loveland , an expert at the intersection of emotional intelligence (EQ) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). They delve into the critical importance of a human-centered approach to technology, navigating career transitions in the age of AI, and the power of emotional...

In this solo episode of "Lunch with Leaders," Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya shares a pivotal career insight: the shift from proving your worth to positioning yourself for leadership. Drawing from her own experiences as a woman in STEM, she explains how the common drive to over-prepare and seek validation can paradoxically hinder career progression. Instead of constantly trying to prove you b...

In this episode of "Lunch with Leaders," host Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠ sits down with Dr. Kim Nichols , a physician executive, speaker, and coach. Dr. Nichols shares her inspiring journey of discovering her true calling in empowering professional women to cultivate their authentic leadership presence. The conversation delves into crucial topics such as the power of authenticity, the significance...

In this powerful solo episode, Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya challenges the pervasive belief that "no one is coming to save you" and reveals why this mindset is actually holding African women in STEM back from achieving their full career potential. As a TEDx speaker, leadership strategist, and founder of African Women in STEM, Adaeze unpacks the incomplete narrative of self-reliance and intr...

In this powerful Black History Month episode, Tamiko Nettles shares her 20-year journey advocating for marginalized communities—leaders, educators, students of color, and individuals experiencing homelessness. As founder of Let Go Be Great , Tamiko reveals how she helps mission-driven leaders and teams thrive through empathy-based strategies, even in systems that don't prioritize emotional intelli...

High performers, especially women in STEM, often stall not due to lack of skill, but because they keep playing the wrong game. TEDx speaker Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya explains the unwritten rule:  the criteria for promotion change at the senior level. The skills that got you here—technical excellence, hard work, perfect execution—are now just the  baseline . To advance, you must master the new game...

In this powerful 42-minute conversation, host  Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya  sits down with leadership expert  Ranieka Weston  to explore how professionals—especially high-performers—often hold themselves back through inherited narratives, fear of visibility, and poor negotiation skills. Ranieka Weston is a seasoned leadership expert and thinking partner with over 20 years of experience across commer...

This solo reflection addresses career stagnation among high-performing women in STEM, where hard work and reliability no longer lead to advancement. Adaeze breaks down the critical difference between being “useful” and being “impactful,” and why optimizing for usefulness traps professionals in career plateaus. Episode Summary and Timestamps [00:00-02:00] – Introduction & The Story of Sarah Hos...

In this episode of  "Lunch with Leaders,"  host  Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya  sits down with the multi-talented  Sesha Woodard , a STEAM industry leader who is also a scientist, author, entrepreneur, and licensed dance master. Sesha shares her inspiring journey of merging her passions for dance and science to establish her business,  " Dropping Seeds in Motion. "  Through her innovative approach, sh...

Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya 's Women Leadership Career Success Story podcast episode on Optimizing for Impact Over Usefulness explores a critical career insight that many high-performing women in STEM face: the difference between being useful and being impactful. Through a compelling story and practical wisdom, Adaeze reveals why career stagnation often isn't about capability—it's about...