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

High-achieving women in STEM are burning out because they are honoring invisible childhood "contracts" that reward overwork, but true leadership requires reconnecting with the body to rip up those old agreements and build a sustainable identity. In this episode of  Lunch with Leaders , host Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya (TEDx speaker and leadership strategist) sits down with Marsha Evans LPC...

In this solo reflection, In this solo reflection,  Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya  addresses  promotion burnout —a pervasive phenomenon where high-achieving women, especially in STEM, become disillusioned with career advancement due to systemic barriers, repeated goalpost-shifting, and lack of equitable recognition. Drawing from real stories, recent research, and personal experience, she debunks the my...

This episode with Erin Treacy and Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠ is for high-achieving professionals, leaders, and especially women in STEM who want to: Break away from burnout and over-responsibility Cultivate more effective, people-first leadership styles Navigate generational dynamics at work Help teams thrive through better communication and boundaries It’s valuable for new and seasoned leaders, b...

Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya explores the systemic barriers that prevent women in STEM from advancing into leadership roles. Citing the 2025 McKinsey Women in the Workplace report, she highlights the  "broken rung" , a critical missed first step to management where only 93% of women (and 74% of women of color) are promoted for every 100 men. Adaeze actively disputes the report's suggest...

In this episode of  Lunch with Leaders , Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya speaks with Rich Belsky , a five-time founder and executive coach, about the unspoken crisis of loneliness in entrepreneurship. They challenge the toxic "wartime CEO" mythology that forces leaders to hide their struggles to appease investors and teams. Rich highlights that 65% of startups fail within five years due to &qu...

Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠ addresses the double standard women in STEM face when adopting AI. While AI has the potential to be a great equalizer, research shows that women are penalized and judged as less competent for using the same AI tools that earn men praise. Adaeze encourages listeners to stop second-guessing themselves and instead use strategic framing to control the narrative. By tracking...

Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya hosts Christelle Mombo-Zigah , a global tech leader and AI founder, to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence and cultural identity. Christelle shares how experiencing "digital colorism"—where AI collaboration tools erased her natural hair and AI headshot generators lightened her skin—propelled her from an AI user to an AI builder. She discusses co-...

Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya ⁠ explores the critical gender gap in Generative AI adoption. Citing research from Harvard Business School and the World Economic Forum, she reveals that  women are adopting AI at 25% lower rates than men  and hold only 26% of global AI-related jobs, despite facing higher risks of job automation. Adaeze unpacks the reasons behind this hesitation, such as concerns over AI...

Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠ speaks with Dwain Robinson , a senior software engineer and founder of GoalBridge. Dwain shares his journey from a small town in North Carolina to becoming a tech leader. He discusses how his experience as a father to an autistic son inspired him to build GoalBridge—a platform designed to improve communication between parents and educators. Dwain emphasizes using technol...

In this solo episode of Launch It Leaders , host Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠ challenges the deeply ingrained belief that talking about your work is arrogant or boastful. She explains that relying solely on hard work and hoping it speaks for itself is a flawed strategy, as actual productivity only accounts for about 10% of career success. Adaeze encourages women in STEM to reframe "self-promoti...

Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya sits down with Michelle Hamilton , an AI adoption strategist and the new head of AI adoption and change management at AnswerRocket . Michelle discusses the critical gap between corporate AI investments and actual workforce adoption, advocating for a "human-first" approach. She shares practical tips for overcoming AI intimidation, such as naming your AI and using...

In this solo reflection episode of Launch It Leaders, host ⁠ Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya explores a common challenge faced by high-performing women in STEM: career stagnation despite exceptional work. Who is this for? For senior women in STEM, high-achievers, and professionals who feel stuck in their current roles despite excellent performance. Valuable for those looking to transition from technical...

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...