STEMming in Stilettos with Dr. Toshia

Episode Summary I cannot wait for you to meet Chela" Wallace. She is a brilliant chemist turned STEM educator and mentor. Her STEM story starts with wanting to understand what was happening to her Grandmother who was diagnosed with cancer and ultimately died from it when she was very young. This experience fueled her interest in finding a cure and in science sadly, though Chela didn't have a chance to explore science until her 7th-grade year in grade school when she met up with a teacher that gave her the freedom to explore and do a science fair project on hair. Chela' was able through college, to find her people and make the transition into the work world where she has been following her path and helping people of color in STEM. Chela' Wallace Bio With over 17 years of experience, Chela' is passionate about advancing equitable STEM education and fostering student retention in post-secondary STEM careers. She specializes in implementing robust STEM visions across diverse educational settings, both nationally and internationally. 🚀 Current Role: Director of Special Projects at KIPP NYC, collaborating with Chief Equity and Academic Officers to implement Graduate Aims, Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education (CRSE), and Project-Based Learning Vision. Responsibilities include strategic planning, equity alignment, team leadership, communication, stakeholder engagement, instructional evaluation and support, data-driven evaluation, and professional development initiatives. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chela-s-wallace/ Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary Orietta's STEM Story starts with a story about her not getting into preschool because couldn't count. But it also is a great illustration of her perseverance and her dad's love that he taught her to count. Her love of math began then and carried her through to Spain and around the world. I love that she never stopped. She is a true testament that STEM is universal and is for everyone. Orietta Verdugo Bio Orietta Verdugo is a distinguished business leader boasting two decades of diverse experience in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Throughout her career, Ms. Verdugo has held a variety of influential roles in business development, product marketing, operations, and process improvement. Her leadership prowess has been demonstrated in her successful management of a factory and a business development organization within the technology industry. Her expansive industry knowledge spans semiconductors, energy, and retail sectors, offering a broad perspective and unique insights. She has led teams across North America, Europe, and Asia, and has embarked on two international assignments in Mexico and Spain. Ms. Verdugo's leadership extends to multi-layered organizations, technical talent, and women worldwide. website: https://oriettaverdugo.com/ Book: Amazon.com: Shattering the STEM Ceiling: Conquering Obstacles and Advancing as a Woman in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: 9798850240585: Verdugo, Orietta P.: Books Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Welcome to 2024! Shehara's Career Transition to Financial Planning Shehara shared their educational and career journey, highlighting their struggles with reading and math that led them to a special school. Shehara's interest in problem-solving and STEM subjects led her to consider a career in accounting, but she ended up pursuing engineering. After five years of studying electrical engineering, Shehara switched careers and entered the financial services sector. Shehara's interest in personal finance led them to start their financial planning firm, where she continues to grow and develop as a financial advisor. Career Change and Purpose Discussion Shehara shared her journey of changing careers from engineering to finance - a field they were unfamiliar with but found intriguing. She expressed her passion for teaching and her desire to help others with financial planning, especially those aiming to retire early. Shehara emphasized the importance of self-reflection and understanding one's purpose, noting that it's not about being stuck in a situation but about taking ownership of one's life and envisioning how one wants it to look. Pursuing Purpose and Financial Legacy Natoshia and Shehara discussed the importance of pursuing one's purpose and not being confined by others' expectations. Shehara shared her belief that people should not be limited to one role or interest, as exemplified by their multifaceted interests. The conversation then shifted to financial matters, with Shehara emphasizing the importance of nominating a beneficiary for all accounts to create a financial legacy. They also noted the advantages of technology in banking, highlighting that some tasks may be more feasible with a bank rather than a credit union. Time Management, Budgeting, and Support for Black and Brown Women in Tech Shehara and Natoshia shared their personal experiences and strategies for time management and budgeting, emphasizing the importance of utilizing tools that work best for each individual. Shehara announced a workshop they are organizing with Michelle Hayward on January 22nd to support black and brown women in the technical engineering fields. They also shared advice they would give to their younger self, stressing the importance of pursuing personal goals over societal expectations. Towards the end of the discussion, they mentioned a future event and agreed to continue the conversation about Shehara's method of overcoming debt. Find out more about Shehara Wooten or buy her book here: YSF Links - Your Story Financial, LLC Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Shehara/ January 22, 2024 webinar at 7pm EST https://bit.ly/PositiveHireOwnYourNarrative Cash Flow Planning tool https://bit.ly/YSFAWinton 𝙄𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚: 𝙊𝙬𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 amzn.to/3Qf2pnA Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

We had to have a Part 2 Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary This is probably the episode I'd tell you myself that you need to listen to over and over again. Josselyne brings us into her world of being unmessablewith and how she got there. It's the world we all want to live in. We get to create it and live in it yall. Its there for us if we take the steps to do the work to get there. This one is a must-listen. Josselyne Herman Saccio Bio Josselyne Herman-Saccio has been leading transformative courses for more than 30 years. She has worked with, and impacted over 200,000 people directly in the areas of business, family, self-expression, fulfilling their vision, resolving conflict, and overall “well"-being. A relationship, communication, and performance expert; and the founder of United Global Shift, her non-profit organization that has worked with leaders from more than 20 countries. (and counting). For the past three and a half decades, Josselyne has worked with a diverse group of people, including executives, entrepreneurs, stay-at-home mothers, victims of domestic violence, those in professional transition, community activists, pop stars, composers, neuroscientists, philosophers, athletes, Broadway, TV and Film personalities, thought-leaders, and CEOs. Regardless of differences in life experience and professional stature, each person, Josselyne’s view, shares a common goal: to be expressed, valued, and experience being able to make a difference and fulfill their vision no matter what challenges life throws at them. In her work with both individuals and organizations, she has had the honor of guiding many people through the empowering process of becoming “Unmessablewith”. Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary 1) Liz did not picture herself being a part of the Navy, but when a great opportunity came along, she didn't hesitate to take it. 2) She was told that she wouldn't make it in the Navy because she's a woman and speaks with an accent. 3) She proved that person WRONG! She's made a career in the Navy. 4) She really believes in the good work that DEI is and is working both within and outside of her organization to ensure that DEI is enacted in an authentic way that will be beneficial to all long term. Its good work Liz Chaluisant Bio: She is a trained problem solver (engineer), mentor, and strategic thinker with a unique career path. For the past 14+ years, she has demonstrated experience in a wide range of technical, business, and administrative operations. She excels at balancing the big picture with the realities of tactical execution and is able to recognize overlaps in plans, processes, people, and many other facets of a high-functioning organization. She also enjoys opportunities to partner with C-suite-level executives to ensure their goals and objectives are executed flawlessly. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-chaluisant-2a7a81b5/ Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary Meredith Broussard is a computer scientist AND journalist. She has found a way to combine the two by using data to inform her writing (data journalist). She is on a mission to demystify technology and AI in particular. AI (artificial intelligence) isn't extraordinary, she says, "it's just math." She believes that Chat GPT is fun and innovative and like other technologies have some flaws to be worked out. Meredith Broussard Bio Data journalist Meredith Broussard is an associate professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University, research director at the NYU Alliance for Public Interest Technology, and the author of several books, including “More Than a Glitch: Confronting Race, Gender, and Ability Bias in Tech” and “Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World.” Her academic research focuses on artificial intelligence in investigative reporting and ethical AI, with a particular interest in using data analysis for social good. She appeared in the 2020 documentary Coded Bias, an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival that was nominated for an Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbroussard/ Website: https://meredithbroussard.com/ Books: More Than a Glitch: Confronting Race, Gender, and Ability Bias in Tech Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World https://meredithbroussard.com/books/ Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Meet Andrea Miller, Teacher, Instructional Coach, and STEMinist who is really trying to make a difference in the lives of students. She really trying to get STEM into the hands of students. STEM and schools shouldn't be hard and right now, it is. She is trying to break down barriers. I love the work that she is doing. If you want to learn more about what she's doing you can find more about her work here: STEM Provider Workshop (twelve12group.com) Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary Winnie had an interest in STEM really early but didn't really know it was STEM. She loved math and working on building websites. She was self-taught for a long time. She progressed through school asking teachers for opportunities to learn more. She really wants to make the entry point to STEM seamless for minority women. Winnie Karanja Bio She is dedicated her career to pursuing racial and gender equity in STEM/closing the representation gap in STEM. She is the founder and CEO of Represented Collective, a media company helping corporate spaces, educational institutions, academic establishments, research teams, and individuals to understand, pursue, and sustain equitable practices in STEM. At RC, She leads teams that envision and implement products and programming that recalibrate outdated systems in order to support and nurture the excellence of women and BIPOC. She collaborates with partners with similar convictions to produce tangible means by which STEM fields can achieve these goals. As the Founder and Inaugural Executive Director of Maydm, a non-profit with a mission of equipping girls and students of color in 6th-12th grade with computer science and engineering skills to pursue opportunities in the STEM fields, she brings with her extensive experience in workforce development, talent development, culturally relevant curriculum design, STEM education. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winnie-karanja Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

It's been 10 years of STEMming in Stilettos yall! I cannot believe it. Here's a look back with me and Maria Johnson who was my co-host at the very beginning. We review the origin story of STEMming in Stilettos and many other things along the journey of where the podcast is today and how we got here. I hope you enjoy it. We will be celebrating all of August as we move into this new season. I sincerely want to thank all of the listeners for being ever so faithful in tuning in every month. Thank you! Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary Technology is in everything and is everywhere. In this episode, with our guest Tai Goodwin of That Marketing Team, we learn that there is significant tech behind marketing online. Tai's background gave her insider knowledge of how to use tech to enhance marketing efforts. She leveraged her self-taught skills and talents to entrepreneurship. That Marketing Team will help you get your backend system together so that you can do what you do best. This was a fascinating conversation about the need for marketing and how tech can be used to help your business flourish Tai Goodwin Bio Tai Goodwin is the CEO of That Marketing Team and creator of Quiz & Grow Rich. She's an award-winning instructional designer with 20+ years of experience creating learning solutions for Fortune 500 companies like Barnes & Noble and tech start-ups like Leadpages. Recognized as a Small Business Influencer Top 100 Champion by Small Biz Trends in 2013, she is a contributor to The Huffington Post and has been featured in Forbes.com, Money, and CAREER Magazine. Her mission is to help women grow their business without selling out or burning out. Her specialty is teaching authors, coaches, consultants, and speakers how to build sustainable businesses around their expertise and experiences. Clients and audiences alike sing Tai’s praises for her ability to insightfully deliver her unique brand of inspiration and instruction. Possessing an exceptional gift for balancing passion with practical action, Tai gives her audience exactly what they need to go from stuck to started to thriving. A former AmeriCorps member, teacher, and corporate training specialist, Tai is certified in human performance improvement and has over 19 years of experience in training & development. Tai is the author of Girlfriend, It's Your Time: Reclaim Your Brilliance and Step Into Your Purpose. She is also the host of the Girlfriend It's Your Time podcast. You can learn more about her musings on what it means to be smart, black, and spiritually conscious in America on her personal blog, Smart and Black. Stay connected with Tai via Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. http://www.thatmarketingteam.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/taigoodwin Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary Lauren is the real deal when it comes to mathematics and integrating STEM. Her work with VEX Robotics ensures that the curriculum is designed to promote healthy STEM which means that it is integrated. She is and has always been a strong advocate for herself and for others. I love the work that she is doing with her doctoral studies and I believe it will have a lasting impact on the world of STEM. What can we say about VEX Robotics and the World Competition happening right now!! You can get more information about vex here: Home - VEX Robotics More information about the competition or how to start a team here: https://www.vexrobotics.com/competition Lauren Harter Bio Lauren Harter is the Director of Instructional Technology at VEX Robotics and has a wide range of experience in education. From teaching in the high school setting to developing materials that teachers use in numerous countries, Lauren’s experiences have shaped her contributions to the educational community. Lauren received a double bachelor's in Mathematics and Secondary Mathematics Education from Duquesne University in 2016. Shortly after, she began teaching high school mathematics at Serra Catholic High. For two years, she taught 9-12th grade Algebra I, Algebra II, Trigonometry, and Calculus to a wide range of students. Lauren is nearing the end of her Doctoral studies and is conducting research in teaching practices that promote conceptual understanding in mathematics and teacher quality. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-harter-1b4788b0 Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary Ursula Spencer is a super dope nerd. She is a Black woman in STEM who has overcome all the -isms to lead her own company that serves kids all over the world. Early on in her career, she took ownership and wrote her own path. She is an entrepreneur and tech guru that is investing in our future through Dope Nerds and AR/VR. This episode takes the listener through some of her past experiences and give insight into why she feels so strongly about giving back to the community and bringing young, gifted, and Black students into the world of tech. Ursula Spencer Bio The founder of Dope Nerds is a self-taught technologist and accomplished tech entrepreneur. At the young age of 11, she taught herself how to hack and launched her first tech company at 21 years of age. With over 30 years of experience as a Sr. Consultant, Subject Matter Expert, and Technical Advisor, she has worked for organizations such as the Federal Reserve Bank, Chase, and Bankers Trust, ultimately leading technology teams for the Federal Reserve System's twelve banks. Her interest in virtual reality began in 2009 when she became an early adopter of online virtual worlds to understand its potential impact on industries beyond entertainment and gaming. In 2019, she founded Dope Nerds as a brand, focusing on leveraging her technical expertise to provide innovative and impactful learning experiences for youth and under-represented communities. Website: https://dopenerds.tech Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursulaspencer/ Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary 1. Her experiences are sooooooooooooo familiar to me as a Black woman in STEM. 2. She has been able to use her experience to assist and help others in leadership and beyond. 3. She is proud to be from New Jersey and to have been educated in New Jersey. Angie Ogando Bio Angie Ogando received the following degrees from NJIT – a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 2002 and an MBA degree in 2011. She provides insight into conflict resolution, corporate values alignment, mission integration, and effective communication strategies. She is a Certified Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) coach and trainer and a Certified Master Trainer in Hypnosis. She is a co-founder of Yoshida Academy, a company focused on helping individuals improve their leadership talents and public speaking skills. She is also the founder and chief executive officer of The Enriched Mind, a company that offers leadership training for companies in finance, technology, and the fashion industry. Other positions held include Chief Operating Officer at Global Performance Group (2016) and Licensed Insurance Representative at Primeamerica (2003-2005). Ms. Ogando is a founding member of the Association of Ecuadorians/Americans United and was an advisor to the Institute of Ecuadorian-Latina Women Leaders. For eight years, she partnered with nonprofit organizations to provide legal and medical aid to the underserved Latino community through the association. Ms. Ogando was named Woman of the Year by the Dominican Parade in Essex County in 2009 and received the Community Activist award from the Municipal Council of the City of Newark in 2010. Her clients call her the "People Whisperer." You'll call her amazing! An international powerhouse speaker, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and change maker, Angelica's superpower is being an Afro-Latina who can connect to people on the next level! Integrating her business and life experiences with her world-class coaching skills, Angelica will help you develop powerful, long-lasting success strategies to tap into your powers. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary Atiyah has always loved math. It's in her DNA. She would go to the store and count out her change at the checkout line. Her math abilities led her to private school. She learned to navigate two different worlds, private school, and the real world. She's always wanted to inform the world using math. Black Girls Love Math is a labor of love to give girls a firm foundation and positive math identity. She has taken her love, life, career, and experiences and used them to assist other Black girls in persisting and succeeding at the next level starting with Math. Atiyah Harmon Bio She is the Founder and Executive Director of Black Girls Love Math. BGLM eliminates gender and racial inequalities in math for all who identify as Black girls in grades K-12. Additionally, she leads and creates adult professional learning. She is a Certified School Building Leader, Principal, and Leadership Coach with 15+ years of experience in education. She offers advanced instructional and leadership skills as well as expertise in instructional coaching, curriculum development, youth development, service learning, and positive behavior supports. She is committed to performance improvement and providing a full capability offering in educational enhancement activities from Kindergarten through twelfth grades. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atiyaharmon Website: https://www.blackgirlslovemath.org/ Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary There is so much to be said about the topic we discussed in the episode. Sans makes some great points as it relates to what happened to women during the pandemic. People are NOT really talking about this issue. It is important. Women were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Many women had to leave jobs they loved to care for their children and this is sometimes with a partner in the home. Women across the world had to make hard choices that oftentimes led to great sacrifice for the women themselves. Sans talks about the health effects and the effect these decisions have had on the world at large. Sans Thakur Bio Sans leads innovation in the making of science & medicine. With combined operating and strategic experience across more than 30 companies, +10 products, multiple digital health venture funds, and top 20 pharmaceutical portfolios, she is uniquely able to address matters of modern healthcare. She is Medable’s Chief Growth Officer and is focused on market expansion and growth initiatives to advance the company’s vision of human-centered research, enabling remote access to clinical trials regardless of geography, income, and race. She most recently served as global life sciences research lead for Accenture, responsible for market-shaping strategy and research in therapeutics, digital health, and business model innovation. During her 18 years in the life sciences industry, Thakur has advised more than 30 companies, launched 10 products, advised digital health venture funds, and managed a leading pharmaceutical portfolio. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanskritithakur/ Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Summary Shane Woods is a woman in STEM advocate. She believes in equity and diversity in STEM and wants to be STEM be equitable across all stations in life. Her experience as a Black woman in STEM and as a teacher has taught her how to advocate for all in STEM. She is thoughtful and mindful of the experiences that children are having in school and has sought to be an answer to the problem. Girl Start is a blessed organization to have her at the helm. Shane Woods Bio Shane is Girlstart’s Executive Director. She began her career as a middle school science teacher in the Fort Worth Independent School District. In her 17 years with the district, Shane was able to make her mark in every position she held from department chair to leading the entire district as the K-12 Science Director overseeing curriculum and assessment development while supporting teachers in honing their skills through year-long professional learning opportunities. Most recently, Shane acted as the Senior Director of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas STEM Center of Excellence, which is a 92-acre living laboratory where kids of all ages can explore and develop their competence and confidence in science, technology, engineering, and math – all while cultivating essential skills such as confidence, resilience, leadership, risk-taking, and problem-solving. Shane has a B.S. in Biology from Xavier University of New Orleans and an M.S.Ed. in Middle-Level Science and Mathematics from Walden University. She remains active in her community as a nationally recognized and award-winning leader and speaker in science education. Shane holds leadership positions with National Science Education Leadership Association, American Camp Association, and the Women Leading Technology Sorority. Website: www.girlstart.org https://www.brainstemconsultants.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-woods-stem/ Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here: https://www.drtoshia.co STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A