In this episode of the Deciding to Win podcast, we sat down with Shelli Brunswick, the COO of Space Foundation. Shelli shared her inspiring journey from her distinguished career as a space acquisition leader to overseeing Space Foundation's primary divisions. She advocates for diversity and inclusion and was named the 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Officer and Role Model of the Year Award by WomenTech Network.

We learned about Space Foundation's mission to promote space and STEM education worldwide, with a particular focus on Africa. Shelli discussed the importance of space technology in solving global challenges and the role of education in preparing the next generation.

Shelli's leadership extends beyond the Space Foundation, where she plays an active role in various organizations, including the United Nations Space4Women and the World Business Angels Investment Forum.

Tune in to this episode to be inspired by Shelli's leadership journey, her passion for space technology, and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion.

In this episode of "Deciding to Win," we had the pleasure of speaking with Valerie Labi, an innovative C-Level leader who is making waves in the African mobility space. Valerie is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mana Mobility, a German-Ghanaian enterprise that is creating an ecosystem for e-mobility solutions in Africa, with the core of operations in Ghana.

During our conversation, Valerie shared her inspiring story of how she started her career in the corporate world, but her passion for sustainable social enterprise growth and impactful business transformation strategies led her to co-found Mana Mobility. She is driven by the vision of making affordable, reliable, and connected electric vehicles tailored for and manufactured in Africa.

As Valerie explained, the challenges of implementing electric mobility in Africa are significant, from the lack of proper infrastructure to the limited access to affordable financing. However, she is undaunted and believes that these challenges present an opportunity to create innovative solutions that cater to the unique needs of the African market.

Mana Mobility is already making strides towards achieving its vision. They have developed an open e-mobility platform that connects drivers, passengers, and goods in an easily accessible, inclusive, transparent, country-wide, and multi-model manner. The company also produces electric vehicles that are affordable, safe, reliable, functional, and Ghanaian-designed, engineered, and manufactured.

Valerie's leadership and Mana Mobility's commitment to sustainability and social impact are what Africa needs to overcome its mobility challenges. The African mobility space is ripe for disruption, and Mana Mobility is at the forefront of this change. 

On this episode, we speak to an amazing young woman changing STE(A)M education in Africa and beyond. She shares her inspiring story of how she started organizing volunteers to rural communities to teach technology to the children in these communities. 

The organization has reached 8000+ learners across Africa, through products like Lab and Library on Wheels systems – portable solar powered computer laboratories, Ananse e-learning suite – first African story-based STE(A)M app and Train the Trainer engagements – educational support services.

Josephine is an engineer and assistant professor, in the FKSR (University of Alberta), advancing research on linkages between access to recreational spaces and well-being, through an environmental justice lens. Her research over the years, has focused on examining how exchanges among human and non-human actors shape built and virtual recreational environments, and inform access and its associated outcomes.

I had the  opportunity to speak to the phenomenal Taaka Owori, the CEO of Busara Africa. Leadership has always been the main critical factor for Africa's development. Taaka presents strong and interesting ideas on redefining leadership in Africa. This is a conversation that so inspired me, her passion and energy for Africa is amazing. 

Taaka  s a Leadership Trainer, Certified Coach, Facilitator, Speaker, and Organisational Development Specialist with over 20 years of experience working with civil society, the private sector, and various Government Agencies in East, West, Southern Africa, Europe, and the U.S.  She, therefore, combines an understanding of international best practice on leadership and organisational development with an appreciation of the diverse contexts in which these principles should be applied.  Taaka has worked with a wide range of clients such as the Open Society Foundation, Care, Greenpeace International, MTN, Newmont Corporation, Bank of Africa and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.

Taaka has a Bachelors in Degree in Political Science from Harvard University, Boston MA, and a Juris Doctorate in Law from Columbia University, NY, New York.  She also has a Certificate in Organisational Development from the Organisation Development Centre & the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, the United States, and an Advanced Certificate in Coaching from the International Coaching Academy, Melbourne, Australia.

Email:  [email protected]

On this episode, i am joined by the amazing Christina Korp, the president of purpose entertainment, astronaut manager and producer. For ten years she managed Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and launched his education foundations – ShareSpace and the Aldrin Family Foundation. She produced the last five galas at Kennedy Space Center celebrating Apollo 11 and the Webby winning and Emmy nominated, “Cycling Pathways to Mars” VR experience. She is passionate about promoting ways space benefits the planet and people every day and promoting women’s issues. She spearheaded projects in 2020 to celebrate the Women’s Vote Centennial in the USA. She leads SPACE For a Better World producing events and experiences that raise money for partner charities. She currently works with Apollo 16 moon walker Charlie Duke and NASA astronaut and aquanaut Nicole Stott.

Christina has traveled the world as a singer, producer, tour manager and as an Astronaut Wrangler. She produces ground breaking, mass participation experiential artworks and event that focus on inspiring people and giving back to the planet. 

This episode was produced by the amazing Justin Fiallo.  

Photocredit : David Christopher Lee

“Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation.” - Nelson Mandela.  

 Nelly Cheboi, the CEO and founder of TechLit Africa joins me on this episode. Growing up in rural Kenya, Nelly experienced the full effects of poverty, seeing her parents struggle to meet their basic needs. Nelly nurtured in her heart to make an impact in her society. Through determination and hard work, she obtained a scholarship to study computer science in America which provided her a path to move closer to achieving her vision. 

Today TechLit Africa, is using recycled computers to build computer labs in Kenya, providing much needed tech skills training for the youth launching them into tech careers remotely around the world. 

Her amazing work has been recognized around the world by Forbes, CNN and other notable organization. She is a true leader dedicated to the success of Africa's youth. 

On this episode i am joined by the amazing Susan Stil Kilrain, an  American engineer, a former United States Navy officer, and a former NASA astronaut. A childhood dream to fly manifested into not just flying fighter jets for the US Navy but Space shuttles for Nasa. An accomplished aerospace engineer, distinguished naval aviator with over 3000 flight hours, flying 30 different aircrafts. She was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1985 and designated a Naval Aviator in 1987. Kilrain was selected to be a flight instructor in the TA-4J Skyhawk, and later flew EA-6A Electric Intruders for Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 33 (VAQ-33) in Key West, Florida. After completing U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, she reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for F-14 Tomcat training.

Kilrain reported to the Johnson Space Center as an Astronaut Candidate in March 1995. Following a year of training, she worked on technical issues for the Vehicle Systems and Operations Branch of the Astronaut Office. She also served as spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in mission control during launch and entry for numerous missions. A veteran of two space flights, she logged nearly 472 hours in space. She flew as pilot on STS-83 (April 4 to 8, 1997) and STS-94 (July 1 to 17, 1997).   

She now spends her time inspiring the next generation to believe in themselves. 

Henry Ford said 'Those who believe they can do something and those who believe they can't are both right'. It is amazing what we can do if we are determined that we can. Our guest today is a shining example of that. Jesse Iwuji, US Navy officer, NASCAR driver and team owner, CEO,Esports company owner and many more. Born to immigrant parents from Nigeria, Jesse shares his journey in to greatness and the amazing work in creating opportunities for others.   

You can sponsor this podcast and provide support for this program by connecting with me on Linkedin 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/

Please listen and share. 

Follow Jesse on Linkedin 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseiwuji/ 

Deciding to Win is back bigger. On this episode, Dr Soyeon Yi, the first Korean female and only astronauts joins me. She shares her inspiring story with us in an a fun and exciting way. She was selected out of 36,000 contestants to go to space in 2006. She shares how it all happened from the earth and back to the earth. Dr Yi, is dedicated her life to help nurture young leaders in STEM. This is a conversation i really enjoyed and i hope it blesses you as well. 

Our success is not complete until we help OTHERS succeed. 

We would love to hear your feedback too! 

[email protected] 

I had the pleasure to have Sidiki Traore, the founder and president of Distance Education Africa DEA join me on the show. His inspiring work on the African continent has impacted the youth in Africa. Distance Education Africa provides free monthly scholarships from the University of Virginia and other top universities in the world. As technology and internet penetration in Africa grows in Africa, Sidiki's team has offered over 35,000 scholarship to young professionals and students in all 54 countries in Africa. His passion for building the skills and capacity, feed the hunger for knowledge on the  continent is amazing. Governments, military personnel, entrepreneurs have all used these courses to train its people. 

I have completed many courses offered through the scholarship and it has been of immense benefit to my life and work. Sidiki's passion for education and for youth is amazing.  

https://www.deafrica.org/