Phd to CEO l TCIM Careers

Name Dr. Stephanie Hayden-Adeyemo ( she/her)

Current Job Title CEO/Founder- at The Learning NoMad LLC

Undergrad and Post grad degrees

Bsc Biology/Chemistry

Msc : Pharmaceuticals

PHD:Advanced degree: Teaching and Learning

Favourite science fact: Virus are non-living

· Journey in three words Resistant, steady, and determined

· What motivated you to pursue a career in science Just the drive and intent of asking questions motivated me to pursue. The intent of creating a new way of thinking and process.

· How have your previous experiences played a part in your career path? In a quick summary, All my experiences that I have had whether challenging or serene, led me to the state that I am at now.

I first started out studying at Howard University during my undergraduate years in Biology and Chemistry. I later applied St. John's University where I started to pursue a Masters degree in Pharmaceuticals Sciences--Specializing in Pharmacology. In studying to pursue a PhD in Pharmacology, as a primary to fund my education as a a graduate assistant while in my laboratory and also outside the laboratory, I was able to work as teacher in a program called the Brooklyn Bridge Program. The program was geared for those students that did not finish the high school course due to circumstances sometimes beyond their control. I was fortunate to teach them science courses in Biology and Chemistry respectively. It is in this time, I saw that I had a desire and a gift to articulate the most complex topics at the time in the science to more while engaging in a more meaningful dialogue with those learners (who others have deemed not teachable). I was excited and I was more challenged in finding a way to pursue this new passion. I respectfully wrapped my program and went on to pursue the new found respect and love that I had to inspire while educating in the sciences. I then enrolled into a program that allowed for the transferal of course and started pursuing the means to be a credential educator. I did finish and went on in a few years to work on obtaining an advance degree in Teaching and Learning at the post-graduate level. I finished with a few years and proudly defended my dissertation. It was not with great pain at time. I was told that the reason why my journey may have taken some detour was my complex interaction with others. I was amused by the observation; however, in time I would discover what that was coded for--you are young, gifted, black, and bossed woman! This is the sentiment and mantra I choose to move forward with. I know that the world is both fascinated and nervous at the sound of that mantra. We are science and we are here! We have always existed! I know that in my desire to reach those that are tossed aside, I cannot forget to motivate and inspire!

When considering your career path, how much has your potential salary affected your decision?

Salary has never been a consideration for me, I just wanted to have the flexibility to make my own choices and path. Nevertheless, I needed to know that my basic needs were met. Not only that, but the level of respect and trust was essential wherever I landed.

You have a wealth of experience in education and mentoring, what advice would you give your younger self/ younger people in science?

The one advice that would give is don’t change yourself for anyone. Stay true to what your intended purpose is. ·

What advice would you give to people looking to network and build genuine connections?

Build a connection where you feel you can be the greatest asset. Don’t stress when you are in rooms of rejection. Just open the door and leave.

• With over 24 years of experience what drives you now and how has that changed / stayed the same from when you just started?

I am more focused on the legacy that I will leave behind. This is what drives me now. When I was younger, I just wanted to pull up more people. This was the wrong approach. I wouldn’t have any strength for myself. Now I understand the necessity for self-care and the art of saying no.

· Outside science and education how would you describe yourself

I would say that whether I am in the science arena..I am constant in that I am young, gifted, and bossed….as a black woman showing up everyday for my legacy.