What does it take to leave the safety of a career, back yourself, and build something from scratch? 

In this episode of the Race and STEM Podcast, Steve Fuller sits down with Kawell Batia - engineer, technologist, and founder of Aival, a healthcare AI startup helping NHS hospitals adopt trustworthy AI in radiology. 

Kawell shares her journey from a childhood shaped by travel and multicultural influences, through engineering and computing, to becoming a CEO disrupting one of the most high-stakes industries in the world. 

They explore what holds people back from claiming their ambitions, why networks and confidence are the real barriers for minority professionals, and why being intentional - in your career, your community, and your connections - is the most powerful tool you have.

 If you've ever had a bold idea but weren't sure you were allowed to want it, this one's for you.

Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.

Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

In this episode of Race and STEM, Steven Fuller sits down with Veronica Andrews, a Chief People and Operations Officer with over 15 years of experience in HR and business operations across global and startup environments. 

Veronica pulls back the curtain on what HR really is, and what it should be. From growing up in New York surrounded by strong women and a quietly powerful grandfather, to navigating discrimination as a Black woman in senior leadership, Veronica shares the unfiltered truth about the HR profession. She breaks down why employees distrust HR, how to build genuine relationships in the workplace, and what it will take for HR to evolve into the strategic, human-centered function businesses actually need. 

Whether you work in HR, have ever been frustrated by HR, or are simply curious about what goes on behind closed doors, this conversation will change how you see the people function forever.

Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.

Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

In this episode of Race in STEM,  Nigeal Stokes Fisher shares a candid and powerful perspective on leadership, integrity, and the true role of HR.

From growing up in Mississippi to leading HR functions across global organisations, Nigeal reflects on the principles that have shaped her career — and why being liked should never come before being right.

She explores why HR is the engine of an organisation, why data must anchor every difficult conversation, and why “no” is a complete sentence.

This is a conversation about candour over comfort, truth over popularity, and the courage it takes to stand firm in your values - especially when it’s uncomfortable.

If you work in HR, leadership, or alongside either, this episode will challenge how you think about responsibility, accountability, and the future of the function.

Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.

Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

In this episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, host Steve Fuller is joined by sisters Dr Abigail Otchere and Donna Otchere, co-founders of SISTEM.

Growing up in Brixton, Abigail and Donna share their journeys into science and engineering – navigating under-resourced schools, cultural expectations, confidence struggles, and being the only Black women in many academic and professional spaces.

Abigail reflects on her path from failing A-levels to earning a PhD in biomedical science and building a career in medical writing, while Donna opens up about studying mechanical engineering, facing bias in the classroom, and questioning whether she truly belonged.

Together, they discuss:

• Why access to STEM isn’t enough without retention
• How confidence, culture, and representation shape career outcomes
• The impact of teachers, mentors, and community
• Why SISTEM was created to make the journey easier for the next generation

This is an honest, powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and what it really takes for women of colour not just to enter STEM – but to stay and thrive.

Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.

Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

In this episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, host Steve Fuller speaks with Moyo Tobun, a clinical research leader and founder supporting clinical trials across phases II–IV.

Moyo describes herself as “made in the UK and assembled in Nigeria” – a phrase that captures how her upbringing across two cultures shaped her confidence, discipline, and resilience. Starting her career as a bench scientist, she knew early on that staying in one lane wasn’t for her.

This episode is an honest and grounded conversation about:

• Taking ownership of your career path
• Moving beyond job titles and traditional routes
• Navigating cultural differences at work without losing yourself
• Building something meaningful when curiosity meets lived experience

Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.

Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

In this episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, Steve Fuller speaks with Bamidele (Bami) Farinre, a biomedical scientist and public health professional whose journey into STEM is marked by persistence, rejection, and resilience.

From growing up in Nigeria to navigating identity challenges in the UK, Bami shares the reality of being underestimated, overlooked, and told she wasn’t “right” for science — and how she refused to let those experiences stop her.

This episode explores:

• the barriers women of colour face entering STEM
• why opportunity and access are still unequal
• the role of mentorship and representation
• how persistence shaped every stage of Bami’s career

A powerful and honest conversation for anyone building a career against the odds.

Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.

Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

In this episode of Race in STEM, host Steve Fuller speaks with Elaine Montilla, tech executive, author, TEDx speaker, and founder of 5xMinority.

From growing up in the Dominican Republic to leading in the tech C-suite, Elaine shares her remarkable journey of resilience and representation. She discusses navigating life as a Latina, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ leader, and how those experiences shaped her empathy-led approach to leadership.

Elaine opens up about breaking into tech, overcoming bias, and creating space for others to rise – proving that what once felt like a barrier can become your greatest superpower.

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📚 Explore Elaine’s work:

• 5xMinority.com
• You’re Allowed to Log Off – Burnout Guide
• 5xMinority Store

Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.

Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

In this episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, host Steve Fuller speaks with Alice Choi, President of Envision Medical Communications, about her journey from North Manchester to the boardroom, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Alice opens up about growing up as a Korean-British woman in the UK, experiencing gender inequality in Korea, and how these challenges shaped her passion for social mobility and equity. She discusses the importance of mentorship as a two-way journey, offers advice for building resilience, and highlights why organisations must create pathways for people from diverse backgrounds to succeed.

This compelling conversation blends personal insight with practical advice on career growth, mentorship, and equity – essential listening for anyone striving to grow while making a positive impact on others.

Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.

Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

In this episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, Steve Fuller speaks with Furkan Karayel, author, diversity and inclusion strategist, and founder of Diversein.

Furkan shares her journey from working in tech to becoming a global voice for diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. She discusses the power of visible role models, the importance of allyship, and why creating spaces where underrepresented voices can thrive is critical for the future of science and technology.

Whether you’re an aspiring STEM professional or a leader looking to create real change, this conversation offers insight, inspiration, and practical steps for building a more inclusive future.

📚 Explore more from Furkan:

• furkankarayel.com
• diversein.com

Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.

Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

In this episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, host Steve Fuller is joined by Humza Butt, a Territory Manager in medical devices, to unpack the winding road of identity, ambition, and purpose.

Humza shares his story of growing up in East London in a British South Asian household, raised by a single mother who instilled in him the values of education and hard work. Like many, he was expected to become a doctor - but life had other plans.

From dealing with a late diagnosis of hypothyroidism to reassessing what success truly meant, Humza reflects on:

• The pressure of cultural expectations in South Asian families
• How health setbacks shifted his academic journey
• Building a career in MedTech and finding purpose outside the ‘traditional’ path
• Why representation and honest conversations matter in the life sciences industry

This is a raw, real, and relatable conversation for anyone who’s ever had to pivot, persevere, and redefine success on their own terms.

Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.

Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!