She Leads – With Belema Boyle
Name:
Belema Boyle
Job Title
Analysis Lead, Cox2M, CCI
What would you tell your younger self?
It is great to have a goal but give yourself room to deviate and grow.
What was your major in college and how did you get to the position you are in today?
I was a Chemical Engineering major in college, and eventually pursued a PhD in the field. At the same time, I started researching business strategy and ideation for an entrepreneurship opportunity. I discovered a lot of similarities between Chemical Engineering’s study of natural phenomena and Strategy’s study of people’s motivations. With this, I switched from PhD to MS/MBA program that focused on strategy. Now I help my team with finance and strategic planning to help us deliver world-class solutions to our customers. The foundation is the same as being engineer, making the world better through products Cox delivers.
What’s your favorite part of your job and why?
I love understanding what problems our customer need solved. It is really easy to complicate an answer because we never understood the question. Strategy allows businesses to understand the emotions behind a problem and try to create the best solution.
What is your favorite hobby?
In grad school, I discovered a love for sewing and clothing design. It is an extension of my creativity, and an opportunity to make something with only one customer in mind, myself. It is also fulfilling to create something that was once a figment of my imagination.
What advice do you want to give the next generation of women leaders?
Take up space. Be vocal. Be unapologetically yourself. You were meant to have a seat at the table and you are as capable as everyone else there.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership is providing equitable growth to everyone on your team. Some people will be trailblazers, some will be steady, and others want to take a slower pace. A leader understands the motivations and ambitions of their team and utilizes them to their fullest potential. Expressing vision and carrying everyone along is what leadership means to me.
What’s your favorite ice cream?
Mint ice cream with cookie dough chunks.
Is there any other information that you think Girl Talk members would benefit from?
Join organizations in your field. It will expose you to leadership experiences, scholarships, and mentorships that will benefit you and your community. I benefitted from organizations like SWE, WISE, NSBE, etc.