In this episode, I speak with Tyler Vassar, Managing Partner at Ascent Ridge Partners, a consulting group that focuses on helping teams and organizations improve their performance.

Tyler shares how he grew up on a small farm in rural New York and became the first person in his family to attend a four-year university. Although he initially planned to study business, a chance hallway conversation with a metallurgy professor completely changed his path. That moment became a powerful example of how mentorship and encouragement can redirect someone’s future.

In our leadership segment, Tyler explains how his time in the Navy shifted his focus from technical problem-solving toward leading and developing teams. Across industries ranging from healthcare to mining and manufacturing, he learned the importance of listening, humility, and walking the shop floor. He also shares how great leaders coach people through problems instead of simply giving answers.

In our advice segment, Tyler discusses the reality of making decisions with incomplete information and why integrity matters in leadership. He emphasizes emotional intelligence, preparation, and continuous self-reflection as critical leadership skills. His advice to engineers is simple: build strong technical skills, care deeply about people, and say yes when leadership opportunities appear.

Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at  www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast

In this episode, I speak with Ben Gassman. Assistant Plant Manager of the Kentucky Battery Plant at Ford Motor Company.

Ben shares how he entered engineering through an unconventional path, starting on the front lines in manufacturing and later moving into industrial engineering. A promise to his grandfather and strong mentorship helped guide his transition into earning an engineering degree later in life. His journey highlights how real-world experience and education can reinforce each other.

In our leadership segment, Ben explains how effective leadership starts with clear goal setting, team alignment, and consistent follow-through. He emphasizes the importance of structured planning, performance clarity, and developing people through stretch opportunities. Leadership, in his view, is about building systems where individuals understand expectations and can grow into future roles.

Ben’s advice for aspiring engineering leaders? Take initiative, continuously learn, and seek out challenging opportunities. He stresses the importance of humility, understanding your personal motivation, and contributing to team success. His advice centers on ownership, resilience, and creating impact beyond individual performance.

Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at  www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast

In this episode, I speak with Yasmine King, Corporate Vice President and Head of the Automotive Business Unit at Analog Devices Inc.

Yasmine started as a classically trained pianist who became curious about how to capture live sound. That curiosity led her to electrical engineering and eventually into audio-focused software roles. Over time, she transitioned from engineering into customer-facing roles, then sales, and ultimately into business leadership.

In our leadership segment, Yasmine talks about how she led a major strategic shift by moving a long-standing proprietary technology to an open standard. This decision came from deeply listening to customer frustrations and recognizing broader industry needs. Despite uncertainty and risk, she used data, scenario modeling, and partnerships to guide the organization through the transition.

Yasmine’s advice for aspiring engineering leaders emphasizes building confidence by stepping into uncomfortable situations and learning incrementally over time. She encourages engineers to develop leadership skills outside of work, using hobbies and challenges as training grounds. Her core message is simple: say yes, figure it out, and use every experience to grow.

Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at  www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Mandy Youker, Operations Officer for the Advanced Energy Technologies Directorate at Argonne National Lab.

Mandy shares how her interest in chemistry began in high school and deepened through hands-on experiences like working in a crime lab. She discovered early on that she loved solving problems, especially when she could see the real-world impact of her work. Her career evolved through a PhD, national lab research, and eventually into leadership roles where she could combine technical expertise with broader organizational impact.

In our leadership segment, Mandy describes how small leadership actions can create meaningful change, using an example of introducing an improv-style icebreaker in a strategy meeting. Despite mixed feedback, she moved forward because she had seen the benefits before. The result was a more open, collaborative environment where people engaged more fully and built stronger connections.

Mandy’s advice for aspiring STEM leaders? Recognize  that technical skills will open doors, but essential skills like communication, trust-building, and teamwork are what sustain and grow a leadership career. She highlights the importance of making people feel valued and appreciated through small but intentional actions. Ultimately, leadership is about creating an environment where people feel heard, supported, and motivated to contribute.

Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast

In this episode, I speak with Paul Faronbi, Regional Senior R&D Process Engineer at Mars and founder of IncrediPaul, whose mission is to empower young professionals in STEM to become the most incredible versions of themselves.

Paul started out determined to become a doctor because he wanted to help people. Along the way, a conversation with his father and exposure to research shifted his path toward chemical engineering. Through research, internships, and industry experiences, he discovered a passion for consumer products and R&D work that connects engineering to real-world impact.

In our leadership segment,  Paul shared how he founded and scaled NALA STEM during a time of uncertainty in 2020. When the pandemic disrupted plans, he stepped into leadership by pivoting to virtual engagement and building a national network from existing relationships. This required initiative, adaptability, and leveraging long-term connections.

Paul’s advice for aspiring engineering leaders? He emphasized that leadership requires intentional development. He encouraged engineers to actively seek growth through podcasts, books, mentorship, and real-world practice. His core message is simple: if you want to be a leader, you must consistently act like one.

Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast.

In this episode, I speak with Erin Gulden, a senior executive leader, engineer, and mentor with experience guiding complex, high-impact programs in the national security and space domains.

Erin started out thinking she would become an architect, but an early bridge design project helped her realize she was wired for function over aesthetics. She switched from civil to electrical engineering, kept her Air Force ROTC scholarship, and stepped into a career where five years of service turned into twenty-five. Over time, she moved from technical work to major satellite programs, policy, and budgeting at the Pentagon, and eventually leadership roles during the stand-up of the Space Force, then shifted her focus to mentoring and developing the next generation.

In our leadership segment, Erin describes leading a high-stakes national defense space program where the technical problem was real, but the bigger challenge was trust, honesty, and team behavior under pressure. She chose an authentic leadership approach instead of the aggressive style she was advised to use, and introduced a simple rallying motto: Be Fierce. The turning point was not just solving engineering risks, it was creating psychological safety so teams could surface issues early, ask questions without fear, and collaborate across organizations.

Erin’s advice to aspiring engineering leaders is based on three pillars.  One: build a strong foundation that can carry the load of change. Two: be fierce by choosing courage over comfort, and three: learn something new every day through deliberate reflection and support from coaches, mentors, and champions. She also offers a practical reminder she used in senior roles: WAIT, which stands for “Why am I talking?”

Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast

In this episode, I speak with Dr. John Farrell, Associate Laboratory Director for the National Laboratory of the Rockies Mechanical and Thermal Engineering Sciences Directorate.

John’s path into chemistry was anything but linear. A high school friend and an inspiring freshman professor opened his eyes to science, eventually leading him to earn a PhD in physical chemistry. After 15 years in corporate R&D at ExxonMobil, he transitioned to national lab leadership, where he now oversees hundreds of researchers across diverse energy technologies.

In our leadership segment, John talks about one of his first major leadership roles, which involved building a brand-new research group from scratch. He had to earn the trust of senior scientists who did not automatically respect his formal authority. Through humility, delegation, hiring strategically, and learning to communicate through story, he developed both the culture and credibility needed to move the work forward.

John’s advice for aspiring engineering leaders?  Seek mentors, pursue feedback intentionally, and guard your time fiercely. Leadership is fundamentally about people, not just technical excellence. Start with core leadership tools, practice them daily, and grow your skills steadily over time.

Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast

In this episode, I speak with François Payen, Supply Aftermarket Leader for Master Data Management at Trane Technologies.

François discovered engineering early, encouraged by a father who pushed him ahead in math and science. He chose chemical engineering for both passion and opportunity, then launched his career at Alcoa before moving across industries from metals to aerospace to lithium and now data leadership. Along the way, he kept building skills, earning certifications, completing executive education, and stepping into bigger leadership roles focused on adding value to the business.

In our leadership segment,  François recounts how he faced a defining moment when a massive fire broke out at his lithium manufacturing site. With millions of dollars per day at stake, he had to stay calm, assemble cross-functional teams, and rely on trusted relationships to stabilize the situation. Through composure, collaboration, and decisive action, he helped guide the recovery and rebuild operations in phases.

François’s advice to aspiring engineering leaders? Think beyond technical work and focus on solving other people’s problems. He believes leadership is about helping others succeed, giving credit generously, and continuously learning. Most importantly, he reminds us that delivering results while caring for people is what ultimately defines strong leadership.

Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast

In this episode, I speak with Doctor Rahul Maharsia, Senior Vice President of R&D and Engineering at Insulation Technology Group.

Rahul did not grow up knowing he wanted to be an engineer and spent years searching for direction. His parents recognized his natural problem-solving ability before he did and encouraged him toward engineering, which ultimately gave him clarity, purpose, and momentum. After starting in mechanical engineering in India, he came to the US, pivoted through industrial engineering, and completed a PhD focused on materials and composites.

In our leadership segment, Rahul shares how his leadership growth accelerated when he began stepping into problems without waiting for a title or formal authority. One defining moment came when he was asked to tackle a critical manufacturing issue threatening the survival of a business. By moving to the plant floor, building trust with operators, and leading through action, he helped transform yields, stabilize the company, and earn an executive role.

 Rahul encourages engineers to stop waiting for permission and actively seek opportunities to solve meaningful problems. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and pivoting as the world of engineering changes rapidly. Above all, he stresses that purpose, effort, and peace of mind matter more than titles or linear career paths.

Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast 

In this episode, I speak with Darshan Deshmukh, president at ProcureAbility, a Jabil company, delivering an industry-leading suite of procurement and supply chain services to global organizations.

Darshan grew up in India with strong influences in engineering and math, which naturally drew him toward a technical career. He studied mechanical engineering, worked briefly in software, and then realized he was more interested in how business systems fit together than in writing code. That insight led him to a master’s in supply chain at Penn State and into manufacturing and planning roles at IBM where he moved from technical roles into leadership and took on global assignments across multiple regions. He later transitioned into startups where he helped build and scale organizations and eventually stepped into executive leadership roles following acquisitions.

In our leadership segment, Darshan talks about a defining challenge that came during his first startup experience. The company was growing quickly, but depended heavily on one major customer who announced plans to shift most of the work to a larger provider within a year. That decision put significant pressure on revenue, morale, and leadership credibility. Rather than sugarcoating the situation, Darshan chose to be open and transparent with the team. The experience tested his resilience and reinforced the value of trust during prolonged uncertainty.

Darshan’s advice for aspiring engineering leaders? Stop waiting for perfect certainty before stepping into leadership roles. Many of the most important career decisions involve risk, discomfort, and acting without all the answers. He also encourages engineers to apply their analytical thinking to people, teams, and organizations, not just to technical problems, and to avoid common identity traps, such as believing you are not a seller or not the leadership type. His core message is to take smart risks, trust your instincts, and let discomfort be a signal for growth.

Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast