Leading Women in Tech Podcast cover image

Leading Women in Tech Podcast

240: Breaking Barriers: How Cultural Identity Drives Innovation in STEM Leadership with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya

Mar 4, 2025
40:36

In this episode, I sit down with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya, a trailblazing STEM leader, engineer, and advocate for diversity in STEM. From her early years in Nigeria to her leadership role in the U.S. energy sector, Adaeze shares how she navigated challenges, broke barriers, and turned her cultural identity into a powerful asset for innovation and leadership.

We explore the role of mentorship, representation, and community in career success, along with her mission to uplift African women in STEM. Whether you're an aspiring engineer, a STEM professional, or a leader looking to foster diverse perspectives, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

We dive into:

  • Adaeze’s career journey from Nigeria to leadership in the U.S. energy sector
  • Overcoming challenges as an African woman in STEM
  • How cultural identity plays a powerful role in innovation and leadership
  • The importance of mentorship and community in professional growth
  • How she founded African Women in STEM and her vision for global impact
  • A real-world example of using cultural perspectives to resolve project conflicts
  • Actionable advice for aspiring STEM leaders
  • And more

"Your Leadership Readiness Checklist" is a free resource designed to help ambitious professionals ensure all aspects of their careers are aligned. https://link.africanwomeninstem.com/LeadingWomenInTechPodcast

**Useful links**

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode