STEM in Stilettos – Empowering Female Founders to Dominate the Digital Market

What do you do when the answer to your negotiation is "no"? Is it really the end of the conversation, or could it be valuable information? In this episode of STEM in Stilettos, Zofia Morales welcomes back Jaime Mann, leadership advisor, coach, and founder of The Amaryllis Project, to talk about negotiating with confidence and knowing when "no" is a verdict versus simply data. They discuss how to prepare your case, make your accomplishments visible, build a "win file," and communicate your value without becoming passive or aggressive. Jaime also shares how to negotiate beyond salary, including flexibility, responsibilities, visibility, and non-promotable work, and how timing can affect the outcome. You'll learn how to prepare for your next negotiation, keep the conversation going when the answer is "not now," and recognize when it's time to revisit your options or walk away. --------------------------------- Discover your #1 leadership pitfall here: leadershippitfallquiz.com --------------------------------- Guest Bio: With 15 plus years of leadership experience and an extensive background in human resources and psychology, Jaime founded The Amaryllis Project, an advisory firm focused on building better leadership through connection. The concept of connection as currency fuels Jaime's practice, and she empowers others to build better leadership. Through a fusion of positive psychology, leadership psychology, behavioral science, mental health science, and self-belief work, Jaime uses her energetic, non-nonsense approach to engage and inspire. Jaime is an Associate Certified Coach, Member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and The Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. She is also an Imposter Syndrome informed coach through the Imposter Syndrome Institute as well as a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. She is pursuing a Master Degree of Professional Studies (MPS) in the Psychology of Leadership at Penn State University. Connect with Jaime Here: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/theamaryllisproject/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theamaryllisproject/ OptIn URL - www.theamaryllisproject.com --------------------------------- 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/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/zofiarennea.morales/

Do you ever feel like you're getting in your own way at work? What if some of the thoughts behind your self-doubt, overthinking, or people-pleasing are actually patterns working against you? In this episode of STEM in Stilettos, Zofia Morales talks with Toni Rebic, M.A., Alignment Psychologist and creator of TrueSelf Psychology®, about recognizing the thought patterns that can interfere with confidence, decisions, relationships, and professional success. They explore what it means to be aligned with your TrueSelf, how emotions can reveal what's happening beneath the surface, and why even successful, intelligent people can struggle with self-doubt and comparison. Toni also shares how to recognize and interrupt self-opposing patterns so you can respond differently in challenging situations. You'll learn how becoming more aware of your thoughts and emotions can help you make choices that are more aligned with who you are and what you truly want. --------------------------------- Discover your #1 leadership pitfall here: leadershippitfallquiz.com --------------------------------- Guest Bio: Toni Rebic, M.A., an Alignment Psychologist and the creator of TrueSelf Psychology® — an approach that helps people recognize and recondition the thought patterns that can work against who they are and what they truly want. With more than 20 years of experience, Toni teaches people how to use their emotions as signals, become more aware of the thoughts behind how they feel, and learn to think in greater Alignment with their TrueSelf. She is also the author of the upcoming book Align In Power, coming in 2027, and will soon be teaching her Align In Power class, where she helps people put these principles into practice Connect with Toni Here: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TrueSelfPsychology/ Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGkWZaJfETsTCO56D-ULq9A LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/company/trueselfpsychology/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/trueselfpsychology/ Free Gift - 21 Self Opposing Mind Patterns https://trueself-psychology.com/21selfopposingmindpatterns/ --------------------------------- 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/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/zofiarennea.morales/

Do you ever wonder if you're really qualified, even when you've earned your seat at the table? What if that voice of self-doubt isn't actually you? In this episode of STEM in Stilettos, Zofia Morales talks with Dr. AJ Lauer, founder of Thriving Ibis Leadership Solutions, about imposter syndrome and the "Imposter Monster" behind those uncomfortable moments of doubt. They talk about why imposter syndrome can be especially challenging for women in STEM, how it can show up at work, and what we can do when those imposter moments hit. You'll learn how to recognize your Imposter Monster and start handling self-doubt with a different perspective. --------------------------------- Discover your #1 leadership pitfall here: leadershippitfallquiz.com --------------------------------- Guest Bio: Dr. AJ Lauer (she/her) is on a mission to improve diversity in science and technology fields. AJ deeply understands the impact STEM fields have on all of us and believes that positive culture change in these organizations can change the world. Dr. Lauer has held diverse professional roles including running a residence hall, leading an educational exhibit design project, and coaching and training C-suite staff - and has the stories to prove it! Her company Thriving Ibis Leadership Solutions provides workshops, retreats, individual and group coaching, and more to help build leadership skills and retention in STEM. Her new book, My Monster Mungo: A Story About Imposter Syndrome, uses relatable characters, humor, and engaging illustrations to present a fresh new way to think about the dreaded imposter syndrome — your Imposter Monster. Connect with Dr. AJ Here: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajlauer Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/thrivingibis OptIn URL - www.thrivingibis.com/email-signup Free Gift - The Imposter Monster Conversation Script will guide you, step by step, through a conversation with your Imposter Monster. https://www.thrivingibis.com/imposter-monster-email --------------------------------- 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/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/zofiarennea.morales/

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. --------------------------------- Discover your #1 leadership pitfall here: leadershippitfallquiz.com --------------------------------- 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  --------------------------------- 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/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/zofiarennea.morales/

Are you dealing with a client who constantly crosses boundaries? Wondering when it's time to stop fixing the relationship and simply let them go? In this episode of STEM in Stilettos, Zofia Morales talks with Haley Lynn Gray, founder of Intuitive Biz Solutions, about knowing when a client has become too costly to keep. They unpack red flags like unrealistic expectations, scope creep, late payments, abusive behavior, and clients who drain your team and resources. Discover how clear contracts, strong boundaries, better onboarding, and proper offboarding can protect your business and why sometimes saying "peace out" is the healthiest business decision you can make. Key Takeaway: Learn how to spot problem clients, protect your boundaries, and create systems that keep difficult clients from taking over your business. --------------------------------- Discover your #1 leadership pitfall here: leadershippitfallquiz.com --------------------------------- Guest Bio: Haley Lynn Gray, MBA is an accomplished engineer, business, and marketing strategist, known for her deep expertise in helping businesses thrive through data-driven marketing and operations integration. With a background in engineering and an MBA from Duke University, Haley brings a unique analytical and creative approach to business challenges. She is the founder and CEO of In2itive Biz Solutions LLC, a digital marketing agency dedicated to empowering small businesses and organizations to reach their full potential. Haley is passionate about delivering exceptional service, often going the extra mile to ensure her clients achieve real, measurable results. Her agency focuses on providing personalized marketing strategies tailored to each client's needs, leveraging tools like automation, CRM systems, SEO, content marketing, and paid ads to build effective, scalable marketing funnels. Known for her unwavering commitment to ethics, she ensures her agency maintains the highest standards in the industry, never compromising on quality or integrity. Connect with Haley Here: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Darthastewart LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/haleygray Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/darthastewart Free Gift - Your 8 Figure Business Marketing Blueprint https://womensentrepreneurnetwork.biz/free-book --------------------------------- 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/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/zofiarennea.morales/