Awards Recognized It, Grit Built It: How Identity, Belonging, and Mentorship Shape Future STEM Leaders

Some of the most powerful leaders do not start with a plan.They start by paying attention.In this episode of Reddy2Grow, we sit down with Saki Milton, founder and executive director of The GEMS Camp, an award-winning organization focused on building confidence, identity, and belonging for underrepresented girls. What began with Saki noticing a quiet shift in her students grew into a nationally recognized movement rooted in mentorship, curiosity, and care.Saki shares how leadership often begins in classrooms, community spaces, and quiet moments of reflection. She reflects on informal learning, lifelong curiosity, and why teaching young people how to ask better questions matters more than teaching them to have all the answers, especially in a world shaped by AI and rapid change.This episode is for educators, leaders, parents, and anyone building something with purpose who wants to lead with intention, humanity, and impact.Inside the episode:→ Why noticing patterns can spark meaningful change→ How mentorship and representation shape confidence and direction→ What informal learning teaches beyond traditional education→ How curiosity and questioning build stronger thinkers in the age of AI→ Why consistency and quiet work matter more than recognition→ What people-centered leadership looks like in practiceLeadership does not always announce itself.Sometimes, it grows quietly and changes everything.🎧 NEW EPISODE DROPA reflective conversation on leadership, mentorship, curiosity, and building futures rooted in belonging and purpose.Follow and Connect with Reddy2GrowReddy2Grow Socials:LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/reddy2grow-podcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reddy2growpodcast?igsh=MTZnbzd0aHF0cTV0dQ== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FMdAjMHUn/?mibextid=wwXIfr Saki Milton Socials:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sakimilton/ https://www.thegemscamp.org/ Priya Reddy Socials:Linkedin:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyareddy-dataleader/⁠⁠ Newsletter:⁠ ⁠https://thepriyareddy.substack.com/⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠https://www.priyareddyconsulting.com/ ⁠⁠Hansika Reddy Socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansika-reddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovecareandart?igsh=M2R2eDAzYWkxaTQx