Juliana Somuah

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

Authentic leadership builds trust. Sharing my real journey during a STEM workshop inspired young girls and affirmed that vulnerability is strength. As a PhD student and mentor, I lead with empathy, creating space for others to grow with confidence.

What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?

My proudest milestone is developing a mentorship framework for women in construction and infrastructure. It’s now the focus of my PhD research and is being considered by industry partners, turning research into real support for future women leaders in STEM.

What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why? What obstacles will you overcome?

I aspire to build mentorship-driven systems that elevate women in construction and infrastructure. I aim to influence global standards through research and leadership. As an international woman in STEM, I will overcome financial and representation barriers to open doors for others.

Describe an amazing opportunity in your STEM career.

Winning the Ignite FM Student Challenge was a game-changer. It allowed me to apply research to real-world problems, collaborate with top peers, and gain visibility in the industry. It affirmed my voice as a woman in STEM and opened doors to leadership and research opportunities.

How was AWIS helped you professionally and/or personally?

Though I’ve only been an AWIS member for six months, the newsletters alone have been inspiring. They remind me that I’m not alone and that my voice matters in STEM. Seeing stories of women like me has encouraged me to speak up, share my journey, and lead with confidence

What is your favorite word? (only one word)

Empowerment

How do you define it?

To me, empowerment means helping others realize they already have what it takes. It’s the moment someone believes in their ability to lead, speak up, or try something new, because someone else made space for them, encouraged them, or simply said, “You belong here.”

How has this word influenced or inspired your career?

Empowerment has shaped every step of my journey. From mentoring young girls in STEM to designing mentorship frameworks in my PhD, I have always been driven by the idea of lifting others as I rise. It reminds me that real success is shared, and that impact grows when we empower others.

How does AWIS impact your career journey?

AWIS affirms that I belong in STEM, not just as a participant, but as a leader. Seeing women’s stories in the newsletters reminds me that my voice matters. It’s given me the confidence to speak up, pursue bold research, and connect my work to a greater mission of inclusion and impact.

What are you currently reading or listening to?

I’m currently reading The First, the Few, the Only by Deepa Purushothaman. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of creating space for women of color in leadership, and it’s helping me reflect on how I can shape more inclusive systems in STEM and academia.

What do you consider the best professional or personal advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I’ve ever received is: “You don’t have to shrink to fit in.” It reminded me that I don’t need to dim my light or downplay my ideas to be accepted. Owning my voice and perspective, especially as a woman in STEM, has opened more doors than trying to blend in ever did.

Juliana Somuah is a PhD student in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems at UNC Charlotte. Originally from Ghana, she began her career as a CMMS Technician at the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company. Her research focuses on mentorship and leadership in construction and STEM. She is active in the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) and the Society for Women Engineers (SWE), leads outreach for girls in STEM, and has earned multiple scholarships. Juliana is passionate about creating inclusive systems that support women and drive innovation in the built environment.