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

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 "human dynamics" issues, rather than business mechanics.

Together, they explore practical methods for navigating high-pressure environments, emphasizing the importance of nervous system regulation, authentic communication, and building safe communities for founders.

Who is this for?

This conversation is designed for entrepreneurs, founders, investors, and corporate executives.

It is especially valuable for high-performing leaders, including women in STEM, who are dealing with the hidden emotional tolls of leadership, such as isolation, high-stress decision-making, and burnout.

Key Moments & Timestamps:

• Introduction: Adaeze introduces the podcast's mission and guest Rich Belsky.
• The True Cost of Leadership: Rich reveals that loneliness, not hard work, is the most shocking part of the entrepreneurial journey.
• Overcoming Fear: Discussion on finding peer groups and the "Lonely at the Top" methodology for safe sharing.
• The Response Gap: Rich explains how managing your nervous system between a stimulus and a response prevents destructive reactions.
• The 65% Failure Rate: The staggering statistic that human dynamic issues are the leading cause of startup failure.
• The Limits of AI: Why AI cannot replace the essential human empathy and lived experience required for strong leadership.
• Changing the Narrative: Rich's legacy goal to separate a founder's personal identity from their company's success.

FAQs

• Why is loneliness so prevalent among founders? Founders often feel they cannot share their struggles with investors (for fear of losing funding) or their teams (for fear of losing trust), leaving them isolated during high-pressure situations.
• What is the "Response Gap"? It is the mental and physiological space between a trigger (stimulus) and your reaction. Creating this space allows leaders to make thoughtful choices rather than reacting out of fear or high cortisol levels.
• Why do so many startups fail? According to Harvard Business School research cited in the episode, 65% of startups fail in their first five years due to human dynamics issues, such as co-founder conflicts, burnout, and anxiety.
• Is vulnerability a weakness in leadership? No, sharing struggles and developing a healthy leadership style is foundational for company growth and helps prevent catastrophic team rebellions or failures.

Action Steps for Leaders

• Build a Support Network: Find local startup groups, peer circles, or use methods like "Lonely at the Top" to connect with other founders who understand your lived experience.
• Regulate Your Nervous System: Incorporate small daily practices like breathwork or a simple three-minute meditation to help you move from a reactive, head-driven state to a grounded, heart-driven state.
• Foster Open Communication: Implement transparent communication systems within your team so employees feel seen, heard, and understood, which prevents resentment and cultural decay.
• Seek Experienced Guidance: Reach out to mentors, organizations like the Real Mental Health Foundation, or embedded coaches to proactively work on your human dynamics.

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 metrics, teaching AI to peers, and finding internal advocates, women can overcome deeply woven unconscious bias and position themselves as forward-thinking leaders.

Who is this for? 

This episode is primarily for women in STEM, particularly senior leaders or those stepping into senior leadership, who want to overcome workplace bias, expand their influence, and confidently build their AI fluency.

Key Moments

• The Unfair Reality: Adaeze shares a personal story of how her boss completely ignored an exceptional tool she created, yet heavily praised a male colleague's basic, low-impact tool.
• The Statistical Double Standard: She highlights a study showing that female engineers are rated 9% less competent when using AI to produce identical work to male peers. Furthermore, only 21% of entry-level women are encouraged to use AI by managers, compared to 33% of men.
• The Root Cause: Adaeze clarifies that this penalty has nothing to do with women's actual competence, but stems from deeply rooted unconscious bias in performance evaluations.

FAQs

• Q: Is it wrong or "cheating" for me to use AI if it isn't explicitly approved for my role?

A: No. You should ignore the unhelpful voice making you question yourself. Adaeze stresses that the double standard is the real enemy, and you should not shrink back or stop upskilling.

• Q: Why am I penalized while male colleagues are praised for identical work using AI?

A: This happens because of unconscious bias that is deeply woven into how performance gets evaluated in STEM industries, not because of your actual capabilities.

• Q: What should I do if my manager doesn't encourage me to use AI?

A: You are part of the 79% of women experiencing this. You need to actively initiate a conversation with your manager or another advocate to demonstrate your AI skills, the impact you're creating, and your potential.

Action Steps from Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya

1. Use AI Intentionally: Do not just use AI for the sake of it. Focus on high ROI and track clear metrics (like increased efficiency or reduced costs) to tell a strong, data-driven story of your value.
2. Teach AI: One of the fastest ways to shift perception is to become an expert resource. Write internal notes or walk your team through an AI tool that is producing results.
3. Find Your Advocate: Have a conversation with your manager or another key leader. Ensure the right people know what you are building and understand the impact of your AI skills.
4. Take the Free Diagnostic: Use the "Leadership Edge Diagnostic" (linked in the show notes) to identify your "visibility gaps" and learn how to better show your organization what you bring to the table.
5. Book a Strategy Call: Senior women in STEM are invited to book a complimentary "Authority Shift Strategy Call" with Adaeze to stop second-guessing and start strategizing their career growth.

Resources

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leadership Edge Diagnostic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Book a Strategy Call with ⁠⁠Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠

⁠⁠Follow Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the African Women in STEM Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit the African Women in STEM Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TEDX Talk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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-founding FairScan AI to audit and mitigate bias in enterprise and healthcare systems, noting that AI bias in medical imaging is a life-or-death issue for darker-skinned patients.

Christelle also highlights her consumer platform, Style My Crown, which celebrates Black hair and aims to reclaim ownership of Black beauty.

Together, they emphasize the urgency for marginalized groups to stop waiting for a seat at the table and instead build their own solutions, leveraging AI as a strategic multiplier.

Who is this for? 

This conversation is essential for Black women and women of color in STEM, tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about AI governance, digital equity, and cultural representation. It is especially inspiring for those looking to transition from being passive consumers of technology to active builders of inclusive AI solutions.

Key Moments & Chronological Flow

• The Catalyst of Digital Colorism: Christelle explains how COVID-era collaboration tools erased her afro, sparking her awareness of AI bias.
• Transitioning to a Builder: Christelle realizes that optimizing other people's broken tools provides no real agency, prompting her to build based on her own cultural context.
• The Danger of Healthcare AI Bias: Discussion on Medgard AI and how a lack of diverse training data leads to misdiagnoses and preventable deaths in Black and brown communities.
• AI as a Strategic Multiplier: Christelle explains how women can use AI to build in public, outsource tasks, and gain market intelligence to bypass traditional credentialing.
• Raising Future Builders: Christelle shares how she encourages her daughters to build their own apps and publish books instead of passively consuming screen time.
• Launching Style My Crown: Christelle discusses launching a virtual try-on app during Black History Month to reclaim financial and cultural ownership of Black beauty.

FAQs

• What is digital colorism?

It refers to AI bias that distorts cultural and physical identity, such as algorithms automatically lightening skin tones, straightening kinky hair, or inexplicably altering body shapes.

• Why is AI governance currently failing?

Christelle argues that the most dangerous gap in AI governance isn't technical, but experiential. The people writing safety policies have not lived through the harms those policies are meant to prevent.

• What is FairScan AI?

It is a responsible AI governance platform co-founded by Christelle that operationalizes compliance and audits systems for bias before clinical or enterprise deployment.

• What is Style My Crown?

A virtual try-on platform created by Christelle to celebrate Black identity in digital spaces, aiming to put financial ownership of the beauty market back into the hands of the Black community.

Action Steps

• Move from User to Builder: Stop trying to fix tools that treat you as an afterthought; build solutions that reflect your lived experiences and cultural context.
• Leverage AI Strategically: Use AI not just for productivity, but to document your expertise in public, outsource tasks that don't require your judgment, and accelerate your market knowledge to earn a seat in rooms that usually require decades of credentialing.
• Lean on Community: Join coalitions like African Women in STEM to borrow courage, shorten your learning curve, share resources, and find potential co-founders.
• Guide the Next Generation: Limit children's passive screen consumption and teach them to use digital tools to build creations of their own, such as coding journaling apps or self-publishing stories.

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 ethics, responsible usage, and fears of being judged for "cheating".

Emphasizing that AI is a "force multiplier" that cannot replace human leadership or domain expertise, she urges women to build their AI fluency and provides actionable strategies to secure high-visibility opportunities in the current tech revolution.

Who is this for?

This episode is specifically designed for senior women in STEM, female professionals, and aspiring leaders who want to up skill in Generative AI, boost their visibility, and ensure they are positioned to lead the future of work.

Key Moments & Timestamps

• [Segment 1] The Speed of AI: Introduction to the podcast and how rapidly Generative AI (like Claude and ChatGPT) is changing the workplace.
• [Segment 2] The 25% Adoption Gap: Discussion of Harvard research revealing women's hesitation to use AI due to ethical concerns and the fear of judgment.
• [Segment 3] Economic Stakes & Workplace Bias: Exploration of why women hold only 26% of AI jobs. Adaeze highlights a systemic bias: men are promoted on their potential, while women are judged on their past performance.

FAQs

• Why are women adopting AI at lower rates than men? Women often hold back due to concerns about whether AI is ethical and responsible. Additionally, many fear they will be judged or even accused of "cheating" if they rely on AI tools for their work.
• Will AI replace my job? AI will not replace your humanity, deep domain knowledge, years of leadership experience, or stakeholder management skills. However, it is a powerful tool; failing to adopt it might leave you behind, while those who use it as a "force multiplier" will lead the future of work.
• Why are highly capable women being passed over for AI projects? Workplaces often judge men on their potential to lead, while women are judged strictly on their past performance. If women do not actively display AI fluency and "proof of work," leadership may assume they lack the necessary skills for high-visibility AI strategy roles.

Action Steps

1. Get uncomfortable on purpose: Choose one Generative AI tool (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, or Gemini) and use it consistently for the next 30 days. Apply it to work-related tasks—like drafting documents, preparing presentations, or summarizing reports—so you learn when to trust the AI and when to override it using your own leadership judgment.
2. Find your AI community: Do not navigate the AI revolution alone. Connect with groups like the African Women in STEM network to share knowledge, learn best practices, and pool resources with other women actively building their AI skills.
3. Take the Leadership Edge diagnostic: Spend 5 minutes completing this free assessment at link.africanwomeninstem.com/leadership. It will help you identify your visibility gaps and learn exactly how to position yourself as an impactful leader in the AI era.

Resources

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leadership Edge Diagnostic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Book a Strategy Call with ⁠⁠Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya

⁠Follow Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the African Women in STEM Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit the African Women in STEM Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TEDX Talk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 technology to solve real problems, the value of authentic mentorship, and why paying it forward requires empathy.

Who is this for?

Parents of children with special needs, educators, and technologists interested in how software solves real-world problems. It is especially valuable for anyone navigating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and seeking better communication with providers.

Key Moments & Timestamps

• 01:28 — Introduction of Dwain Robinson and his mission-driven platform, GoalBridge.

• 03:28 — Dwain’s upbringing in a small town and his early curiosity about technology.

• 45:16 — The true meaning of paying it forward: Why mentorship requires empathy and presence.

• 50:50 — Dwain’s legacy: Creating safe spaces for people to show up authentically.

• 55:21 — The vision for GoalBridge: Using data and analytics to track daily IEP activities and improve parent-teacher collaboration.

FAQs

Q: What is GoalBridge?

A: GoalBridge is a mission-driven platform that helps families, educators, and providers collaborate around student goals and developmental support, focusing on tracking daily IEP activities.

Q: How does Dwain define effective mentorship?

A: Effective mentorship requires empathy and presence. It’s not just about giving advice; it’s about understanding what the mentee actually needs at that specific moment.

Q: Why did Dwain create GoalBridge?

A: As a father of an autistic son, Dwain experienced frustration with the lack of communication regarding his son's daily school experiences. He built GoalBridge to provide an analytical system of record to bridge the gap between parents and providers.

Action Steps

1. Embrace Your Story: Own your background and experiences; they cultivate how you show up as a leader.

2. Be Present in Mentorship: When paying it forward, ask questions to understand what the person truly needs before offering solutions.

3. Build Community: Don't live in isolation. Connect with people who want to see you win and create safe spaces for authentic conversations.

4. Use Tech to Solve Problems: Look for ways to use your skills to address real-world challenges in your community.

5. Connect with Dwain: Follow Dwain on Instagram (@greatnessbyd) or LinkedIn to stay updated on GoalBridge.

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-promotion" as "positioning"—a necessary leadership skill that ensures decision-makers have the accurate information they need to advocate for your advancement. She provides actionable advice on how to track recent accomplishments, use empowering language (e.g., "I led" instead of "I managed"), and leverage AI tools to articulate value effectively.

Who is this for?

Women in STEM, corporate professionals, and emerging leaders who struggle with self-promotion. It's highly valuable for anyone who feels their hard work is going unnoticed, wants to overcome the fear of bragging, and is ready to strategically position themselves for career advancement and high-visibility projects.

Key Moments & Timestamps

• 00:05 — Intro: Why being invisible is not a virtue and how leaders position themselves for success.

• 01:45 — The problem with deflecting praise and giving "five-word answers" about your work.

• 03:37 — Unlearning the myth: Where did we learn that talking about ourselves is wrong?

• 05:23 — The cost of staying quiet: Why decision-makers can't advocate for you if they don't know what you do.

• 07:05 — Mindset shift: Replace the word "self-promotion" with "positioning."

• 08:46 — The 10% Rule: Why your actual work and productivity only contribute to 10% of your career success.

• 10:35 — Weekly Assignment: Write down three things you've delivered in the last 30-90 days.

• 11:29 — Language matters: Shift from passive words ("I supported") to active leadership words ("I led," "I designed").

• 11:54 — Resource highlight: Take the free 5-minute Leadership Edge Diagnostic.

• 16:00 — Invitation: Book a complimentary Authority Shift strategy call with Adaeze.

FAQs

Q: Isn't talking about my work just bragging?

A: No. Talking about your work is not bragging or arrogance; it is positioning. It is a leadership responsibility to ensure that the people making decisions about your career have an accurate picture of the value and impact you bring to the organization.

Q: Will my hard work eventually speak for itself?

A: Relying on your work to speak for itself is a risky strategy. Research shows that actual productivity and task completion only account for about 10% of your overall career success. Visibility and positioning make up the rest.

Action Steps

1. Track Your Wins: Write down three significant things you have delivered or accomplished in the last 30 to 90 days.

2. Upgrade Your Vocabulary: Review your list and replace passive words (e.g., "managed," "supported") with strong leadership verbs (e.g., "led," "designed").

3. Leverage AI: Use tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, or Claude to help you refine how you talk about your accomplishments.

4. Take the Diagnostic: Complete the free 5-minute Leadership Edge Diagnostic at link.africanwomeninstem.com/leadership to assess your visibility.

5. Book a Strategy Call: If you're ready to stop being the best-kept secret, book a complimentary Authority Shift strategy call with Adaeze (link in show notes).

Resources

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leadership Edge Diagnostic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a Strategy Call with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠

Follow Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the African Women in STEM Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit the African Women in STEM Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TEDX Talk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 voice mode for conversational brainstorming. Drawing a fascinating parallel between her background as a glass sculptor and her work in AI strategy, Michelle explains how both require a clear vision, an understanding of technical constraints, and an iterative process. The episode empowers women to lean into their strengths as communicators and leaders in the AI space.

Key Moments & Timestamps

• 00:23 — Intro: Adaeze introduces the Launch It Leaders podcast and guest Michelle Hamilton.

• 03:40 — The AI Adoption Gap: Why the biggest risk in AI is the gap between investment and workforce adoption.

• 06:35 — Human-First AI: Moving away from IT-heavy rollouts to meeting employees where they are.

• 08:12 — The Evolution of AI: "Today is the worst AI is ever going to be, and tomorrow it's going to be just a little bit better."

• 20:49 — Practical AI Use: How Michelle uses AI voice mode while driving to brainstorm and research.

• 23:01 — Homework #1: Why you should name your AI (meet "George") to make interactions more conversational.

• 25:18 — The Glassblowing Metaphor: How the physics and vision of glass sculpting parallel AI strategy and implementation.

• 43:32 — Overcoming AI Intimidation: Start by using AI for fun personal tasks (like pantry recipes) before applying it to business.

• 47:48 — The Future of Leadership: Encouraging women to be the architects of their careers and lead the AI revolution.

FAQs

Q: What is the biggest challenge companies face with AI?

A: The biggest challenge isn't the technology itself; it's the gap between the financial investment in AI tools and the actual adoption by the workforce, often caused by fear and poor change management.

Q: How can I start using AI if I feel intimidated?

A: Start with fun, personal tasks. Take a picture of your pantry and ask for recipes, or use it to plan a trip. Once you're comfortable, apply that same iterative process to your business tasks.

Action Steps

1. Name Your AI: Go into your AI tool's settings (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) and give it a name to personalize your interactions.

2. Try Voice Mode: Use the conversational voice feature on your AI app to brainstorm or debrief after meetings while you're on the go.

3. Start Small and Fun: Practice using AI for a low-stakes personal task, like generating a recipe from a photo of your fridge.

4. Apply to Business: Take the skills you learned from personal AI use and apply them to a work task, such as drafting emails or analyzing a project photo.

   
   

Guest Links:

• LinkedIn: Michelle Hamilton

• Instagram: @sparkaistrategy

• Facebook: Spark AI Strategy
  

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 experts to trusted leaders and seeking strategies for visibility and career advancement.

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps:

[02:21] "You're too vulnerable, and it's keeping you stuck, and you haven't figured out a way to show that you're capable of more."

[03:51] "Being valuable gives you a level of comfort and made you believe that you're doing the right thing and you're on the right track."

[04:23] "Comfort, as good as it feels, is the enemy of progress."

[06:06] "Have you made the transition from expert, from high performer to trusted leader? If you haven't... then you have unintentionally set your career ceiling."

[08:08] "They have no incentive to promote you if they can get your high-level work products from us. They have no incentive or reason to promote you if all they see is this high performer."

[09:25] "Don't wait to be given the title and then grow into it. Challenge yourself to do the opposite, even if it means letting go of the things you're comfortable with."

[09:51] "If you're not afraid to try something new because you don't want to fail, you also risk not growing. What got you here will not get you there."

[10:15] "Productivity... only accounts for 10% of your success. The other 90% is focused on how you fully embrace building your personal brand, building relationships, seeking exposure and visibility."

[11:56] "It's not just what you do, it's how you think, how you show and how others experience you. What gets you in the room?"

The Danger of Comfort. Adaeze explains that many professionals build their careers on being exceptionally good at their jobs, becoming the go-to person for problem-solving. While this creates a sense of security and value, it also leads to a comfort zone that becomes the "enemy of progress." While you maintain the status quo, the requirements for advancement are changing.

The "Too Valuable" Trap. A harsh reality discussed is that organizations have little incentive to promote someone who is perfectly executing their current tasks. If leadership only sees you as a high-producing expert rather than a strategic thinker, they will keep you where you are most useful to them, unintentionally stalling your career growth.

Shifting from Expert to Leader. To break through the career ceiling, Adaeze emphasizes the need to transition from being a technical expert to a trusted leader. This requires shifting focus away from merely improving existing skills and instead demonstrating the capacity to operate at the next level—whether that's as a director or VP—before officially holding the title.

The 90/10 Rule of Success. One of the most striking insights is that productivity and technical mastery only account for about 10% of career success at senior levels. The remaining 90% relies on building a personal brand, cultivating strategic relationships, and embracing visibility.

Resources

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leadership Edge Diagnostic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Book a Strategy Call with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠⁠

⁠Follow Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the African Women in STEM Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit the African Women in STEM Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TEDX Talk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 students, and educators wanting to expand their impact. Valuable for those interested in entrepreneurship, science communication, and mentorship.

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps:

[01:15] "It's going to be a lot of people that are going to say no starting out, but just because it's rejection doesn't mean it's over. Sometimes rejection is protection."

[06:09] "This is where the real work happens when you truly help shape the trajectory of students because they're at a point where they're finding themselves."

[12:59] "Sometimes everybody isn't going to give you 500 likes and that's okay. Regardless, someone sees it and it resonates with someone."

[21:45] "I never saw a scientist, let alone one that looks like me. So I think right now, even more, it's empowering for people to see that science doesn't look like one broad thing."

[28:35] "Always be willing to be open-minded and don't think that just because someone is not in your particular area or your space that they can't bring value to what you're trying to do."

[39:20] "I say the way to do that is think big picture wise... connect with people in a way where they can resonate with the experience."

[46:31] "Life is dynamic. It always changes. And it's all about us adjusting to what's going on in our lives."

[47:48] "Authenticity leads the way. As long as you're authentic and you're genuine, the right opportunities will come to you."

Key Takeaways:

Expanding Beyond the Lab. Dr. Mia emphasizes that a career in science doesn't have to be confined to the laboratory. Driven by a desire to make a broader impact, she ventured into entrepreneurship and education. She realized her background could translate into creating natural medicinal solutions, founding NeuroPlex.

The Power of Mentorship. Recognizing the lack of resources in her small-town upbringing, Dr. Mia founded Scholarly Scouts to guide students through the graduate school application process. She highlights mentorship in helping students craft CVs, write statements, and prepare for interviews.

Building a Brand Authentically. Dr. Mia discusses the importance of visibility for women in STEM. She encourages professionals to share their journeys—both successes and failed experiments—to inspire others. She stresses that building a brand isn't about going viral; it's about authentic storytelling.

Navigating the Biotech Space. Entering the biotech industry requires thick skin and resilience. Dr. Mia shares her experience of facing rejection, winning pitch competitions, and securing support from the National Science Foundation. She underscores seeking mentorship outside one's field for fresh perspectives.

Mastering Science Communication. One of the most critical skills for a STEM founder is the ability to translate complex science for a lay audience or investors. Dr. Mia advises focusing on the "big picture" and the human impact. By connecting her research to relatable experiences, she communicates its value.

Leaving a Legacy of Empowerment. Dr. Mia's goal is to foster safe environments where people feel valued and capable of growth. She wants her legacy to be one of hope, showing others that life is dynamic, pivots are possible, and authenticity attracts opportunities.

Connect with Dr. Mia:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-edgerton-fulton/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_miaedgertonfulton/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mia.edgerton/

  Website: www.scholarlyscouts.org

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 for leaders ready to stop guessing, identify specific skill gaps, and take actionable steps to maximize their potential and take ownership of their careers.

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps:

[01:18] "There is one phrase that feels like advice but gives you nothing to walk with: 'be more confident.'"

[03:23] "The reason that it keeps coming up is not because it is helpful, but because it's vague enough to mean everything and nothing at the same time."

[04:04] "Confidence is not a thing that you either have or you don't have... It's not a personality trait that you were born with or that you missed out on."

[04:40] "Confidence, real confidence, the kind that changes how a room receives you, is a byproduct of some kind of activity, of taking action on something."

[05:25] "The villain is not anything else. It is the confidence myth... The idea that if you could just feel more sure of yourself, that everything will change. It will not."

[08:06] "You see, none of these are confidence problems. They're specific. They're identifiable. They're solvable gaps between what the situation needed from you and what you gave it."

[08:48] "Being more confident will not necessarily teach you how to slow down when everything in you wants to speed up."

[11:58] "Stop asking, 'how do I become more confident?' and start asking 'what specifically do I need to work on to build my confidence?'"

[13:12] "Awareness is the first and most important step to incredible transformation."

Key Takeaways:

The Problem with "Be More Confident." Adaeze explains this feedback is unhelpful because it lacks specificity. When managers use this phrase, they recognize a misalignment in how you're showing up, but lack the precision to tell you what needs fixing. It leaves you trying to fix a feeling rather than a skill.

Confidence is a Byproduct. Confidence isn't something you're born with, nor is it built in isolation through positive thinking. Real confidence is the byproduct of taking action. It happens when your preparation, knowledge, and ability to read the room work together effectively.

Identify the Real Skill Gaps. When you shrink in a room, talk too fast, or stumble over a question, it's not a lack of confidence. It's a specific, solvable skill gap. You might need to learn how to read the room, handle silence, deal with pushback, or utilize the power of the pause.

Action Over Affirmations. While mindset matters, action matters more. You cannot positive-think your way into knowing how to handle pushback. You build confidence by identifying the specific skill you lack and intentionally practicing it until it becomes second nature.

Next Steps for Leaders. Adaeze offers a free 5-minute "Leadership Edge" assessment to identify gaps. She invites mid-to-senior women in STEM to book an Authority Shift Strategy Call to create an actionable plan for their next career move.

Resources

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leadership Edge Diagnostic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Book a Strategy Call with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠⁠

⁠Follow Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow African Women in STEM on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the African Women in STEM Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit the African Women in STEM Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TEDX Talk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠