Networking Feels Gross? How to Build Relationships That Actually Work
Are you building your expertise but not the relationships that can open doors? What if networking isn't about collecting contacts, but building relationships with purpose?
In this episode of STEM in Stilettos, Zofia Morales talks with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya, Leadership & Strategy Coach, TEDx Speaker, and founder of African Women in STEM, about the relationship capital that creates access, advocacy, influence, and opportunity.
They explore why accomplished women sometimes struggle with networking, how knowing yourself and your "why" shapes the relationships you build, and how to move beyond transactional networking. Adaeze also shares why the inner work behind relationship-building matters when you're looking to grow your career or business.
You'll learn how to approach relationships more intentionally and build the connections that can help your expertise be seen, valued, and rewarded.
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Guest Bio:
Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya is a Leadership & Strategy Coach, TEDx Speaker, and the founder of African Women in STEM, a professional network and community advancing women in STEM from experts to leaders by providing access, resources, and strategic relationships to accelerate their careers.
With over two decades in engineering consulting, operations, and executive leadership in the energy industry, she has led large-scale projects exceeding $500 million. Today, she helps women intentionally build the visibility and relationship capital that create access, advocacy, influence, and opportunity in their careers and businesses.
Her work is grounded in a simple truth: Relationships are currency. Opportunity moves through people.
Her TEDx talk, viewed over 100,000 times, reframes cultural identity as a strategic advantage and a key to success.
For more than a decade, Adaeze has mentored and coached women in STEM to articulate their value, increase their visibility, and build and leverage the relationships that accelerate career and business growth.
Adaeze is a 2026 Black Leaders Worldwide Women to Watch honoree, was named one of Black Impact Magazine's 100 Entrepreneurs to Know, and is a Women Changing the World Global Awards winner.
Connect with Adaeze Here:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AfricanWomeninSTEM/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adaeze-iloeje-udeogalanya/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/africanwomenin_stem/
OptIn URL - https://link.africanwomeninstem.com/LeveragedRelationship_STEM_IS
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Host Bio:
Zofia Morales, a former Fortune 100 data center manager turned leadership coach and business entrepreneur, brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight to her role as a transformational guide. With a background in science and business and a passion for empowering women, Zofia is dedicated to helping female tech founders and entrepreneurs break through barriers and achieve success on their own terms.
Connect with Zofia Here:
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@STEMinStilettos
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zofiamorales/