Real Stories, Real Leadership: Georgia Tech Alumni | S1 E46

Real Stories, Real Leadership: Georgia Tech Alumni

This episode features a deep, surprisingly personal conversation with two Georgia Tech powerhouses whose careers span biomedical engineering, venture investing, university leadership, and global innovation. They unpack what it looks like to build teams that solve real-world problems, how diversity fuels breakthrough ideas, and why Georgia Tech became a national model for AI adoption long before most institutions were ready.

Watch Full Interviews Here:

• Angela & Gia: https://youtu.be/vh69c_f4Sv8?si=_lP7WQOfiSV_5Iqk
• Beth: https://youtu.be/JXrICZjyhec?si=hdmHm8jvCMJOHh6y
• Cathleen: https://youtu.be/A1FVVQ1hmi4?si=wCqhllwwK5okpp5b
• Eric: https://youtu.be/mMCg-aW8eoQ?si=_zfZeRfn595LBGlP
• Kofi: https://youtu.be/5CKPG7nfwww?si=R8nOvyLBB54jloSO
• Nassir: https://youtu.be/ex1hDKRPrxg?si=JpImeGf_15aKZnrO
• Sherry: https://youtu.be/lrFVN8oN0g0?si=YqcI2RLK2JLU-duy
• Raheem: https://youtu.be/qab7tPVmWng?si=xsYz-g956wRPNzoh

Mentioned in This Episode

• Georgia Tech: https://www.gatech.edu/
• Emory University: https://www.emory.edu/home/index.html
• Biolocity: https://biolocity.gatech.edu/
• Emory BioFoundry: https://www.ebfi.org/
• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta: https://www.choa.org/
• Georgia Tech AI Maker Space:  https://coe.gatech.edu/academics/ai-for-engineering/ai-makerspace
• Shawn Jones, Georgia Tech Quarterback: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Jones_(gridiron_football)#:~:text=Jones%20is%20arguably%20one%20of,4%20years%20of%20collegiate%20play.
• Wayne Clough, former Georgia Tech President: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._Wayne_Clough

The discussion also tackles questions people often search for, including:

• How does Georgia Tech approach AI in admissions and engineering education?
• What makes biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory so influential?
• How do major universities build a culture of innovation instead of bureaucracy?
• What does "return on investment" really mean in early-stage healthtech and translational science?
• How can diversity and inclusion directly improve engineering and research outcomes
• How do leaders manage autonomy, accountability, and innovation at large institutions?

Key Takeaways

• Georgia Tech's early, unapologetic commitment to AI wasn't a gamble — it was a strategic pivot that's now shaping national standards.
• True innovation requires proximity: engineers belong in ICUs, clinicians belong in labs, and teams must literally see each other's world.
• Diversity isn't a slogan here. It shows up as better problem framing, richer solutions, and expanded opportunity.
• Return on investment in academic innovation isn't just dollars — it's follow-on funding, regulatory milestones, and the long-term shaping of founders and researchers.
• Autonomy is essential. Leaders who expect innovation must give people room to own decisions and be accountable for them.
• The Georgia Tech–Emory ecosystem works because it prioritizes translation over theory; projects move, pivot, or end quickly.
• Exposure changes trajectories. A single visit to campus, a commencement speech, or a STEM Saturday can alter how someone sees their future.

Themes

• Innovation culture inside major research institutions
• Diversity as a driver of engineering and scientific breakthroughs
• AI adoption and ethics in higher education
• Translational science and commercialization in healthcare
• Leadership, autonomy, and accountability at scale
• Resilience, reinvention, and nontraditional career paths
• The power of community impact and early exposure to STEM

 Produced by: The AGN Group, Host: Angela Gill Nelms, Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group: At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

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Want to be a Podcast Guest? If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email [e-mail]

What is Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders?

Welcome to the Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, and Badass Leaders. Industry experts join host Angela Gill Nelms for intimate and eye-opening discussions about the challenges and joys facing today's leaders. Listen in, and get ready to scale your company, grow your brand, and unlock your full badass potential. Guests include authors, CEOs, Fortune 500 advisors, serial entrepreneurs, heads of global marketing, nonprofit leaders, and educators. You'll discover new insights in every episode. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out!

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email [e-mail].

You can learn more about The AGN Group and its services on its website: www.TheAGNGroup.com. Learn more about the podcast at www.BadassLeadersPodcast.com.

About Angela:
Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer for building exceptional companies and teams. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The AGN Group and Recovery Advocate Network. She has held the position of Chief Operations Officer at Aetos Imaging, RenovoRx, and Florence Healthcare. With a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech, she has mastered navigating the FDA, leading diverse teams, and ensuring that customers and patients are always the top priority.

Angela is a passionate advocate for mental wellness and diversity. She is the CEO and co-founder of Recovery Advocate Network, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Through this organization, she addresses resource disparities for individuals with mental health disorders, trauma, and identity challenges. In addition, she hosts the Coffee and Conversation Podcast to educate the community and reduce the stigma around mental health and wellness.

She shares her lessons learned around the country in keynote speeches, coaching, and team-building workshops. Learn more about Angela at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.

About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. We offer keynote and panel speaking, leadership and team-building workshops, fractional and management consulting, brand and storytelling services. Email us at [e-mail] to connect. Learn more at www.TheAGNGroup.com.

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