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

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 blank faces."

[05:14] "The success for me and the differentiator... actually came down to softer skills."

[07:17] "A lot of the people who move on are also experts, technically. They've just learned how to read people, how to communicate effectively."

[12:03] "It's your ability to sit on top of a particular goal and work backwards until it happens."

[17:08] "Always consider how to make yourself indispensable... you always want to be in the position of 'I add value'."

[18:51] "Try to do the right thing and don't always necessarily ask for permission."

[28:01] "Fully Bossed is really the intersection between helping businesses transform and helping the leaders inside of them transform too."

[34:02] "Behavioral friction is absolutely linked to the ability to actually create value."

[38:40] "How am I going to introduce myself? That's how I work. I'm thinking six, nine months ahead."

[41:44] "My legacy is now. Every day, I'm probably someone's dinner conversation... What do you do with it?"

[43:29] "The legacy I want to leave there is that Fully Bossed becomes a verb that people use more in the workplace."

The Soft Skills Differentiator. Oluchi emphasizes that while technical expertise gets you in the door, soft skills propel you to the highest levels of leadership. She breaks these down into four pillars: Mindset (self-awareness), Branding (knowing your story), Storytelling (making information influential), and Orchestration (coordinating people to achieve a goal).

Navigating the Leadership Level. Once you reach a senior position, the "shelter" of lower levels is gone. To succeed, you must continuously prove your value and be creative in how you do business. Oluchi advises leaders to "do the right thing and don't always necessarily ask for permission," encouraging a proactive approach to creating value.

The Birth of Fully Bossed. Driven by a passion to help underrepresented professionals succeed, Oluchi founded Fully Bossed while still in the corporate world. What started as a coaching business evolved into a global advisory firm that helps organizations navigate massive changes, like M&A and AI adoption, by focusing on the human element.

Behavioral Friction and Business Value. Oluchi argues that enterprise transformation is impossible without leadership transformation. She notes that "behavioral friction" directly impacts a company's bottom line. By equipping leaders with the right soft skills, organizations can successfully navigate complex transitions and realize true financial value.

Strategic Career Pivots. When transitioning to entrepreneurship, Oluchi stresses the importance of planning ahead. She spent months crafting her new narrative, ensuring she could clearly articulate the unique value Fully Bossed brings as a firm led by experienced business operators, not just theorists.

Legacy is Now. For Oluchi, legacy isn't left behind after you're gone; it's created daily through your impact. Her goal is for "Fully Bossed" to become a verb synonymous with taking charge of one's career, and to establish a family foundation and VC fund to support underrepresented founders.

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 special Women's History Month episode, ⁠Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠⁠ sits down with Ginikanwa Frank-Durugbor, a 19-year veteran in corporate communications and Head of Communications, Brand and Events at Lafarge Africa PLC. 

Ginikanwa shares a masterclass on the art of leadership communication, emphasizing that storytelling is one of the most practical and impactful tools a leader can wield. It simplifies messages, builds emotional connection, and increases retention, whether you're setting a vision, driving change, or sharing achievements.

Ginikanwa dives deep into strategies for building trust across diverse teams, highlighting the importance of clarity, transparency, consistency, and personalization. In an age of AI, she argues that authenticity is paramount—aligning your words with consistent action and daring to be vulnerable. The conversation also covers crisis communication strategies: preparedness, timeliness, empathy, and owning your mistakes. 

Finally, Ginikanwa offers powerful advice for women in STEM on building a personal brand through self-awareness, identifying your niche, and continuous learning, reminding listeners that as you rise, you must pull another woman up with you.

Key Takeaways:

• Storytelling is a Leadership Superpower: Use stories to simplify complex messages, build emotional connection, and make your vision stick.

• Trust is Built on Consistency: To be seen as authentic, your words must consistently align with your actions. Be clear, transparent, and honest in all your communications.

• Prepare for Crisis in Peacetime: The best time to plan for a crisis is before it happens. Be prepared, and when a crisis hits, communicate quickly, show empathy, and own your mistakes.

• Personal Branding Starts with Self-Awareness: Before you can build a brand, you must know who you are, what you value, and who you want to serve.

  
  

  Memorable Quotes:

• "Leadership is a journey... you move from becoming a manager to being a leader, where you become responsible for others. It's no longer about you." [07:03]

• "Integrity is non-negotiable. And that comes with courage." [40:04]

  
  

  Timestamps:

• "As you're rising, you're dragging another woman up." [36:20]

• [03:36] Why storytelling is a critical tool for impactful leadership.

• [11:17] Strategies for communicating effectively across diverse, global teams.

• [25:21] A leader's guide to navigating crisis communication.

• [30:33] How women in STEM can build a powerful and authentic personal brand.

• [47:55] The mission behind Ginika's "3 Minute Convos" YouTube channel.

  
  

  FAQs:

• How can I use storytelling if I'm not a "natural" storyteller? 

Start small. Think about a personal experience that taught you a lesson and share it when giving feedback or setting a vision. The goal is connection, not performance.

• My team is global. How do I ensure my message isn't lost in translation?

Be intentional. Understand your audience and their cultural context. Use clear, simple language, and create opportunities for two-way feedback so your message lands as intended.

Email: [email protected]

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 with less expertise advance, this solo reflection from Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠ is for you.

Summary:

In this powerful solo episode, Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya tackles a critical career hurdle for many senior women in STEM: the habit of over-explaining. She explains that while showing your work was essential for proving you belong in the room, it becomes a liability when you need to lead the room. The episode contrasts two scenarios: one where a leader presents exhaustive data and options, only to have someone else make the final call, and another where the leader opens with a clear, concise recommendation, immediately establishing their authority and steering the conversation.

Adaeze argues that over-explanation is not a knowledge problem but a trust problem—a lack of trust in your own conviction. At senior levels, your expertise is assumed; what decision-makers are evaluating is your ability to lead with conviction and set a clear direction. Every caveat you add is a crack in your authority, and every qualifier is a step back from your own recommendation. The episode provides a practical, actionable challenge: before your next meeting, write down your recommendation in a single sentence and lead with it. This shift from performing expertise to demonstrating leadership is the key to moving from a respected expert to an influential leader who gets chosen to lead.

Key Takeaways:

• Belonging vs. Leading: Proving you belong in the room requires showing your work. Leading the room requires showing your conviction.

• Lead with Your Recommendation: Instead of walking through all your data and analysis first, open with your conclusion. It immediately establishes your authority.

• Conviction Over Knowledge: At senior levels, leaders are chosen for their conviction and ability to set a direction, not just for their expertise.

• Trust Yourself: Over-explaining signals a lack of trust in your own conclusions. Trust that your experience and knowledge are enough.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Belonging to a room and leading the room are two completely different things." [01:58]

• "Every caveat is a crack in your authority." [06:20]

• "Leaders are not chosen for what they know. They're chosen for their conviction." [11:23]

Timestamps:

• [01:23] The difference between proving you belong and leading the room.

• [02:52] Two scenarios: how you present your ideas matters.

• [06:43] Why over-explaining is a trust issue, not a knowledge issue.

• [09:29] The one-sentence challenge to build your authority.

• [11:33] Take the Leadership Edge Diagnostic.

FAQs:

• Why do I over-explain if I'm the expert? It's often a learned habit from earlier in your career when you had to prove your competence. At senior levels, it signals a lack of trust in your own authority and can prevent others from seeing you as a leader.

• What's the first step I can take this week? Before your next high-stakes meeting, write down your recommendation in a single sentence. Practice saying it out loud, and open with it when it's your turn to speak.

  
  

  Connect with African Women in STEM on Social Media:

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leadership Edge Diagnostic

  Book a strategy call

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 is joined by Dr. Lola Adeyemo, a leadership strategist, author, and the founder of EQI Mindset. Dr. Lola, who also founded the nonprofit Immigrants Incorporate, shares her journey from growing up in Nigeria to becoming a leading voice on intersectionality and employee resource groups (ERGs) in the corporate world.

She breaks down the crucial difference between representation (seeing what’s possible) and belonging (a personal feeling of being seen and valued for who you are).

The discussion offers a masterclass on ERG strategy, highlighting common pitfalls like treating ERGs as underfunded side projects or creating them without a broader inclusion strategy. Dr. Lola emphasizes that to truly thrive, we must embrace our multi-layered identities and find communities that support each facet of who we are. She encourages listeners to move past imposter syndrome by embracing fear as a sign of growth and taking consistent steps toward their goals.

Key Takeaways:

• Belonging is Personal: While organizations can foster representation, the feeling of belonging is a personal experience that leaders must create a safe space for.

• ERGs are Cultural Activators: Employee Resource Groups should be integrated into the company’s core strategy, not treated as siloed social clubs or DEI side projects.

• Embrace Your Multi-Layered Identity: Find different communities to support the different facets of your identity (e.g., as a professional, a parent, a person of faith). You don’t have to show up as everything, everywhere, but you can be your whole self.

• You Are Capable: Overcome the fear of not being good enough by taking small, consistent actions. Embrace fear as a sign that you are stepping out of your comfort zone.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Belonging is personal... it’s not your role as a leader to tell me how to feel belonging." [19:27]

• "ERGs are not your DEI. ERGs are basically cultural activators." [25:03]

• "You are capable. You can do it. There is no perfect time, perfect qualifications that can help you move forward. Just believe in yourself and then take those steps." [45:15]

Timestamps:

• [03:10] Dr. Lola’s work on leadership, identity, and belonging.

• [11:17] How to thrive in your intersectionality.

• [17:18] The difference between representation and belonging.

• [23:39] Common mistakes organizations make with ERG strategy.

• [39:03] Dr. Lola on legacy and the power of choice.

FAQs:

• What is the difference between representation and belonging? Representation is seeing people like you in various roles, showing what is possible. Belonging is the personal feeling of being safe, seen, and valued for who you are.

• How can I start embracing my different identities at work? Find communities inside and outside of work that support each layer of your identity. Build confidence in each area separately, and over time they will come together.

Connect with Dr. Lola:

• Guest: Dr. Lola Adeyemo

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drlolaadeyemo/

• Website: drlola-adeyemo.com

  Instagram: @adeyemolola

  TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drlola.a⁠

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lola.adeyemo1

  Website: https://www.drlola-adeyemo.com

  Email: [email protected]

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 History Month episode, Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠⁠ sits down with Dr. Nikki Harris, a 30-year veteran educator, author, and founder of a coaching firm for women leaders. Dr. Nikki shares her profound wisdom on leadership as an act of service and stewardship.

She challenges the notion that leaders must be autocratic, instead offering a model of servant leadership that builds authority and influence through genuine connection and impact.

The conversation dives deep into the real struggles women leaders face, from the pressure to be perfect to the guilt that comes with balancing a demanding career and family life. 

Dr. Nikki provides a game-changing perspective: stop compartmentalizing your life into different “hats” (mom, wife, executive) and instead see them as different “meetings” you attend as your whole, authentic self.

She also delivers a powerful call to action for women to understand their value and “charge their worth, plus tax,” explaining that true service includes sustaining yourself so you can continue to make an impact.

This episode is a masterclass in authentic leadership, resilience, and building a lasting legacy.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is Stewardship: True leadership is about serving others and stewarding the influence you have, not about being served.

• Integrate, Don’t Compartmentalize: View your different life roles (work, family, etc.) as different meetings you attend as your whole self, rather than separate hats you have to switch between.

• Overcome Guilt by Respecting Seasons: Guilt often comes from measuring yourself against someone else’s timeline. Embrace the season you’re in and trust that what’s for you will come at the right time.

• Charge Your Worth, Plus Tax: Your experience and wisdom have a cost. To avoid burnout and serve your true audience, you must charge what you are worth.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Leadership is stewardship. You’re stewarding the responsibility of being a leader." [04:26]

• "Guilt comes from you feeling like you’re not measuring up to somebody else’s measurements." [20:50]

• "Wisdom is not free. It comes at a cost. So if your wisdom comes at a cost, as should your service come at a cost." [44:25]

Timestamps:

• [04:08] What is servant leadership?

• [11:59] The “meetings” analogy for balancing work and family.

• [20:15] How to overcome guilt by respecting your life’s seasons.

• [30:38] Why do you need to “charge your worth, plus tax.”

• [50:09] The importance of community and an accountability team.

FAQs:

• How can I be a servant leader and still have authority? Dr. Nikki explains that serving well is what builds your authority and influence. They are interconnected.

• How do I stop feeling guilty about prioritizing my career or my family? Reframe your perspective. Recognize that life has seasons, and it’s okay to be fully present in the season you’re in without comparing yourself to others.

  
  

  Website: DrNikkiSpeaks.com

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 solo episode of Launch with Leaders, host Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya⁠ dissects a common career roadblock for women in STEM: the “Expert Trap.”

She explains how the very technical brilliance that gets you recognized early in your career can become the thing that holds you back from senior leadership.

For years, you’ve been rewarded for being the go-to problem solver, the one with all the answers.

But at a certain level, being indispensable in your role means there’s no incentive to promote you.

The episode challenges listeners to shift their identity from “the expert who wants to lead” to “the leader who has expertise.” Adaeze makes a critical distinction: the expert solves the problems in front of them, while the leader decides which problems are worth solving.

It’s a call to give yourself permission to step fully into leadership, not by abandoning your hard-won knowledge, but by positioning it differently.

You'll walk away with a practical exercise to start shifting how you show up in meetings, moving from reacting and responding to actively shaping and directing the conversations that matter.

Key Takeaways:

• The Expert Trap is Real: Being the indispensable technical expert can make you too valuable in your current role to be promoted.

• Shift Your Identity: Move from being the “expert who wants to lead” to the “leader who has expertise.” Your knowledge is your foundation, not your ceiling.

• Leaders Shape, Experts Answer: Leaders set direction and decide which problems are worth solving, while experts provide the answers to those problems.

• Be Intentional in Meetings: Pay attention to how you show up. Are you only responding, or are you actively shaping the conversation and offering a point of view?

Memorable Quotes:

• "Your technical brilliance and expertise got you here. But right now, it may be the very thing slowing you down or keeping you stuck." [02:19]

• "The expert solves the problems in front of her, the leader decides which problems are worth solving." [08:03]

• "If you’re useful, if you’re indispensable, and that becomes your identity, there’s really no incentive to promote you." [05:43]

Timestamps:

• [00:56] The frustrating question: “How do they have that title?”

• [02:19] How your expertise can become a career block.

• [06:36] The strategic shift: from expert to leader.

• [08:57] A practical action step for your next meeting.

• [10:02] The Leadership Edge Diagnostic: a tool for self-assessment.

FAQs:

How can my expertise be a bad thing?

It’s not bad, but if it’s the only thing you’re known for, it can keep you pigeonholed in a technical role and prevent you from being seen as a leader.

What’s the first step to shifting from expert to leader?

Start by observing how you participate in meetings. Make a conscious effort to not just answer questions, but to also offer your own perspective and help set the direction of the conversation.

Connect with African Women in STEM on Social Media:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Decision-Level Advisory Application | Fill this Form >>⁠

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 distinction between performance and positioning, explaining that while performance gets you in the door, it’s strategic positioning that allows you to rise through the ranks.

Adaeze shares a powerful story of a client who, despite going above and beyond in her work, was passed over for a VP role because she was so focused on executing that she wasn’t visible in the conversations that mattered.

The episode serves as a wake-up call, urging listeners to recognize when the career game has shifted from “checkers to chess” and to develop the skills needed to play to win.

It's a call to action for women to stop blaming themselves for a system not designed for their success and to start building the strategic relationships and visibility that will truly move the needle in their careers.

She closes with a practical challenge: check your calendar for meetings with people who can impact your career.

Key Takeaways:

• Performance vs. Positioning: Performance gets you noticed, but strategic positioning gets you promoted. At senior levels, who knows you and what they think of you is as important as the quality of your work.

• The Hard Work Trap: For women in STEM, simply working harder is often a failing strategy that leads to exhaustion and being overlooked.

• Visibility is Key: You can be the best at what you do, but if the right people don’t see you, your efforts won’t be rewarded. You must be present in the conversations that matter.

• The Game Changes: The strategies that got you to the mid-point of your career are not the same ones that will get you to the top. Recognize when the game has shifted and adapt your approach.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Performance gets you in the door, but it’s positioning that gets you to rise through the ranks." [00:00]

• "You need to realize when the game has changed from checkers to chess and you need to brush up on the skills so that you can play to win." [06:37]

• "The most capable women I know are also the most exhausted and that’s because they’ve been pouring extraordinary energy into a strategy that does not work." [08:21]

Timestamps:

• [01:24] The Sunday evening dread and the myth of hard work.

• [03:43] The critical difference between performance and positioning.

• [03:53] A client’s story: why being the best isn’t always enough.

• [06:49] Actionable steps to increase your visibility.

• [08:39] The Leadership Edge Diagnostic: a tool for clarity.

FAQs:

Why isn’t hard work enough for women in STEM? The system is often not structured for their success, and they have to work much harder for the same recognition. At senior levels, visibility and relationships become more important than just performance.

What is the difference between performance and positioning? Performance is about the quality of your work. Positioning is about your visibility and influence with the people who make decisions.

Connect with African Women in STEM on Social Media:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Decision-Level Advisory Application | Fill this Form >>⁠

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] "AI cannot replace us. We bring relational capacity."

[12:38] "One of the hardest forms of bias to detect is replicability. People tend to promote people that look like them or sound like them."

[13:45] "People will only keep you as long as they value you. So just increasing our value proposition."

[14:55] "I don't want that to be my story—that I led others but struggled internally."

[17:53] "Preparation plus opportunity meets success."

[23:26] "Excellence just takes time."

[29:03] "Let AI enhance your creative skillset. It's not a replacement. It's an enhancement."

[30:51] "The magic is in us, because you can give two people the same tool and have completely different results."

[31:12] "We are the secret sauce to everything, particularly as Black women in STEM."

[38:48] "True leadership is not about the title. It really is having a heart."

[42:56] "My legacy—I want it to be that she made the most of everything that she was given."

[43:27] "The light that shines bright should be brightest to those that are closest to us."

Key Takeaways:

Strategic Partnerships Drive Impact.

Courtney's career began as Director of an alternative school in Savannah, GA, where she raised graduation rates from 65% to 91% by building community partnerships. This experience cemented her belief that the "triangulation of community, institutions, and family support" is essential for meaningful workforce development outcomes.

Computational Thinking Is a Leadership Skill.

She breaks down its four pillars—decomposition, pattern recognition, algorithmic thinking, and abstraction—arguing these are not just technical skills but essential tools for strategic leadership and career advancement in any field.

Humans Are the Secret Sauce in the AI Era.

While AI tools are powerful, Courtney emphasizes that human capital—relational capacity, creativity, and strategic thinking—is what creates true differentiation. AI is an enhancement, not a replacement, and two people using the same tool will produce vastly different results based on what they uniquely bring to the table.

Overcome Barriers by Building Value.

She addresses both external barriers (unconscious bias, "replicability" in promotions) and internal ones, urging women to focus on deepening their expertise rather than chasing titles. She also stresses recognizing life's seasons and prioritizing self-care to sustain long-term leadership without burnout.

Visibility Is Intentional.

Courtney advises tracking accomplishments, building dashboards, scheduling quarterly stakeholder updates, and volunteering strategically to create career visibility. Her motto: "When you stay ready, you don't have to get ready."

Legacy Is About Service.

True leadership is not about titles but about serving others and building collaborative teams to carry a vision forward. Her personal legacy goal is both simple and profound: "She made the most of everything that she was given."

Connect with Courtney:

Find her on LinkedIn at Courtney Quarterman, join the Sister Circle Collaborative, and follow her work with the AUC Data Science Initiative and AI Workforce Development Corp.

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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. Instead, they are using a hidden scorecard to assess your judgment, conviction, and ownership.

Key Takeaways

This episode unpacks that scorecard and provides a crucial communication shift: stop informing and start leading.

• Vague Feedback is a Red Flag: Phrases like "you’re not quite ready" or "work on your executive presence" are often signs that leaders can't articulate the real issue: you are signaling yourself as an expert, not a leader.

• The Expert vs. Leader Mindset: As an expert, you show your work and present options. As a leader, you synthesize information, form a conviction, and own a decision. Senior roles require the latter.

• The Hidden Scorecard: Leaders are looking for specific signals: Do you have a point of view, or just options? Do you hold your position under pressure? Do you own the decision, or hand it back to the room?

• Inform Less, Lead More: The solution is to shift your communication. Instead of walking through all the data, lead with your conclusion. State your recommendation clearly and confidently.

FAQs

Q: I always get great performance reviews. Why am I still stuck?

A: Excelling at your current role proves you are a great operator or expert. To advance, you must demonstrate the qualities of the next role. This involves signaling leadership through decisive communication, not just delivering more results.

Q: Isn’t it irresponsible to make a recommendation without showing all the data first?

A: It’s about focus, not omission. Your leaders trust you have done the analysis. They need your judgment to cut through the complexity. You can always provide the data if asked, but you must lead with your strategic conclusion.

Q: What is one immediate action I can take?

A: Before your next high-stakes meeting, write down the single sentence: "My recommendation is ______." Practice saying it. When it’s your turn to speak, lead with that statement to frame the conversation and signal ownership.

Timestamps

• [00:55 - 02:43] The problem: Why high-performers get stuck with vague feedback.

• [02:52 - 05:14] Case Study: Nadia, the expert who wasn’t seen as a leader.

• [05:15 - 06:58] The rules that get you promoted (and why they change).

• [06:59 - 08:46] The crucial shift: From showing your work to owning your decisions.

• [08:47 - 10:39] Your one-thing action plan: "My recommendation is..."

  
  

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