Materials.Business Newsletter ⚙️
January 22th, 2025
Podcast Guest: Kara Branch
Video in English you can add subtitles in any language - see below to learn how!
In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kara Branch, a true change-maker, chemical engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of "Black Girls Do Engineering."
Kara is not just breaking barriers; she's changing paradigms and pushing the boundaries for the next generation of STEM leaders. Her journey from industry innovator to nonprofit leader emphasizes the importance of authenticity, mental health, and empowering young minds. Dive into the highlights of our conversation and discover valuable insights that can inspire and motivate you on your own path.
Key Points Discussed:
Career Background and Innovation: Kara has over eight years of experience in various industries, including oil and gas, aerospace, and tech. She has a strong background in innovation, often leading first-of-their-kind projects.
"I just understand stuff that's hard" - Kara B.
she says, carrying her innovator spirit into every endeavor.
Kara emphasizes the importance of sharing both the successes and failures of her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the value of transparency for mental health and realistic expectations.
"It's OK to talk about when you invest in something that may be wrong for your business" - Kara B.
Kara acknowledges the influence of both the generation before her and the generation after her. She has learned valuable lessons about work-life balance and self-care from the younger generation, which she incorporates into her own life and teachings.
"I have to value the generation before me opinions, but I also have to respect the generation behind me" - Kara B.
Inspiring Future STEM Leaders: Passionate about motivating young girls, college students, and women, Kara frequently engages in keynote speaking and other motivational activities. She calls them "future STEM leaders" and shares her story to inspire and guide them. But it does not stop there, Kara founded "Black Girls Do Engineering" in 2019 to build a future pipeline of STEM leaders, starting as young as six years old. The program offers hands-on STEM activities, college tours, company site visits, and technical training. Kara's efforts have resulted in a 100% college acceptance rate and job placement rate for participants.
The path: Kara defines engineering as the art of solving problems, a concept she passionately embraces. As a first-generation college graduate, Kara faced significant challenges, from navigating her path in chemical engineering to balancing family life and studies. Despite these hurdles, she persevered and succeeded. In her first engineering job, Kara had to make cultural adjustments, including changing her appearance to fit in, but she emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's identity and balancing work with personal authenticity. She also highlights the crucial role of support systems, sharing how she and her friends built a sisterhood to support each other through their engineering programs.
Balancing Roles and Self-Care: As a chemical engineer, mother of three, and wife, Kara has rapidly advanced to the C-suite and now runs her own business. She stresses the need for self-care and finding a balance between work and personal life.
"You can't be good for others if you're not good for yourself," - Kara B.
#STEMEducation #WomenInSTEM #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #MentalHealth #SelfCare #Empowerment #BlackGirlsDoEngineering #Inspiration #Leadership
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Kara Branch is an award-winning Chemical Engineer, visionary leader, and founder of Black Girls Do Engineer (BGDE). With a mission to increase the number of Black girls in STEM, Kara has dedicated her career to providing hands-on learning, mentorship, and career preparation for girls ages 6-21. Under her leadership, BGDE has impacted over 1,000 girls annually, empowering them to explore AI, sustainability, robotics, and more. A former Engineering Manager for a Fortune 100 tech company, Kara’s innovative efforts continue to break barriers, inspire future leaders, and create equitable opportunities in STEM fields nationwide.
Listen on Apple podcast, Spotify or You Tube and make sure to Follow US!
If you are watching the episode on YouTube, you can translate to almost ANY language, here is how:
- Open any video on YouTube.
- Click the CC button so it is underlined in red.
- Click the Settings (Gear) Button.
- Click Subtitles.
- Click Auto-translate.
- Choose a Language.
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We asked our guest....
To learn and listen to other people's stories, whether it's from their walks of life and what they've done or whether it's from a technical ability that they have. It's important to learn from others, especially as the world is evolving and shifting.
And more people are telling their stories now more than ever- Kara B.
So, this is a great platform that allows that to happen.
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Our partnership with three like-minded organizations dedicated to promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in STEM is a big part of our daily work at Infinity Growth and Materials.Business. These organizations, located in the UK, Germany, and Edmonton, empower and equip minorities to excel in STEM fields. We are proud supporters of their mission and initiatives, take a look at their profiles! #EquityInSTEM #DiversityAndInclusion #STEMEducation #GlobalPartnerships #Empowerment
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