We were lucky to catch up with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Adaeze, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
For my entire career in STEM, I have either been the only one or one of a few in the room. In college, being the only one or one of a few in the room felt like a privilege, because I understood that I was in those rooms because I was exceptional, and I felt empowered to show up fully, be heard, and make an impact.
It was not until a few years into my career in corporate that being the only one or one of a few in the room became a challenging experience. It was primarily so because the people I encountered did not account for me, someone who was different from them, and certainly did not expect to have me as a contender for opportunities that they believed belonged to them.
For years, I suffered through bias, discrimination, and attacks, direct and indirect, and for someone who was deeply optimistic and wanted to believe that people are inherently good, that was tough.
I was only able to get past that and back on the path to a fulfilling life and career when I made the choice to stop “covering” and embrace my cultural and unique identities. It completely shifted the way I showed up and where I chose to show up. It allowed me to unlock my extraordinary potential that had been suppressed for years.
I found the courage to fully embrace my identity, heritage, and culture, have the vision to found and lead a global community of African women in STEM, and the boldness to deliver an impactful TEDx talk that is transforming lives globally.
***Note TEDx Talk Link – https://youtu.be/xYcVJJKBQrY?si=uMpHmCZNih459Smx
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
*About Me, My Work & What I’m Building
I am a leadership and strategy coach, speaker, author, and founder of African Women in STEM, a global community and professional network that empowers women to take ownership of their careers, maximize their potential, and build successful careers through the power of community.
This was something I desperately needed, but never had. As I advanced in my STEM career, I found myself navigating rooms where I was the only woman, the only immigrant, the only African. I experienced the struggle of feeling unseen, undervalued, or unsure of how to navigate environments that weren’t designed for me to thrive. I now know how to overcome these barriers to success and understand the impact gaining clarity, confidence, and community can have in transforming one’s career experience.
*How I Serve
Through my work, I help women in STEM:
– Articulate and demonstrate their value
– Position themselves for leadership roles
– Increase their income, impact, and influence
– Leverage community and relationships as career accelerators
Women in our community, through our support and mentorship, have gone on to land promotions, 5-figure salary increases, leadership roles, and life-changing opportunities.
What excites me the most about the work I do is that it offers both career transformation and identity
transformation. The women in our network are empowered to show up fully, boldly, and authentically.
*What Makes My Work Special
What makes what I do unique is my holistic approach to navigating one’s career and life, and my focus on the power of community. I do not separate career from life because they are deeply connected, and sustainable success is achieved when both are intentionally woven together.
We offer:
– Career and leadership development through the lens of our cultural identity
– Focus on building high-value leveraged connections
– A mission that goes beyond individual success to creating a legacy
*What’s New & What’s Next
I am excited about what we have in store for 2026.
1. Continuing to grow and expand our African Women in STEM membership
Bringing even more value with expert-led masterclasses, fireside chats with industry leaders, networking mixers, and career development programs and resources.
***Note Link – https://link.africanwomeninstem.com/CIRCLE.CORE
2. The Thrive Hub Accelerator
Teaching mid-career women in STEM the strategies they need to confidently build the right network and leverage it to land jobs and promotions, and get paid more.
***Note Link – https://link.africanwomeninstem.com/ThriveHubLP
3. Thought Leadership & Speaking
Helping organizations empower, engage, and retain top talent by equipping professionals to embrace their unique identity as a competitive advantage and develop into AI-empowered, emotionally intelligent, and confident leaders.
***Note Contact Info: Contact Me: [email protected]
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Courage I don’t believe people are inherently courageous. Courage is something you build, one decision and one action at a time. I had to unlearn being fearless and learn that it is okay to feel fear. In fact, if what you are doing doesn’t scare you even a little, then you are probably not dreaming big enough.
My courage grew every time I chose to use my voice, embrace my identity, or step into a room where I was the only one who looked like me. Courage is a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.
My Advice:
Don’t wait to “feel brave.” Take action, especially when you are scared. Trust that you will either get it right or learn from it.
2. Clarity
You don’t have clarity by wishing or willing it to happen. Action brings clarity. Every step you take reveals the next one. Every decision teaches you something. Every experience gives you a new tool for your toolbox.
My Advice:
Don’t wait to have everything figured out before you start. Take the step and trust yourself enough to know that you will make the right decision with the information you have.
3. Community
I believe community is everything. I believe in the power of shared stories, shared wisdom, and shared support. As life and leadership become more complex, uncertain, or demanding, the savvy thing to do is not to go inward and isolate, but to lean into your community.
My Advice:
First, know who you are, what you want, and your why! Then intentionally surround yourself with people who share your values, reflect your ambition, and support your growth.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
I highly recommend “We Should All Be Millionaires” by Rachel Rodgers. This book is a transformative guide that addresses a critical issue: the lack of correlation between the number of women, especially minority women, starting businesses and achieving financial independence.
In the book, Rachel Rodgers offers a powerful mindset shift, encouraging women to embrace the possibility of making significant money and striving for financial success. Her insights and strategies are invaluable for women who need to understand that they deserve wealth and can achieve it.
What made this book deeply impactful for me is how clearly it speaks to my experience and the experiences of women like me, who have been taught to shrink, work twice as hard for half the recognition, and feel guilty for wanting more. As a woman in STEM, an African, and a founder building pathways for other women, this message resonated immensely.
When I read the book, I was challenged to rethink what was possible for my life, my career, and the women I serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://africanwomeninstem.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanwomenin_stem/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ada.il3/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adaeze-iloeje-udeogalanya/
- Twitter: https://x.com/adailoeje
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@africanwomeninstem
