MEL #059 | From Student Researcher to National Nonprofit Founder through Taking Initiative and Turning Relationships into Impact with Paul Faronbi

In this episode, I speak with Paul Faronbi, Regional Senior R&D Process Engineer at Mars and founder of IncrediPaul, whose mission is to empower young professionals in STEM to become the most incredible versions of themselves.Paul started out determined to become a doctor because he wanted to help people. Along the way, a conversation with his father and exposure to research shifted his path toward chemical engineering. Through research, internships, and industry experiences, he discovered a passion for consumer products and R&D work that connects engineering to real-world impact.In our leadership segment,  Paul shared how he founded and scaled NALA STEM during a time of uncertainty in 2020. When the pandemic disrupted plans, he stepped into leadership by pivoting to virtual engagement and building a national network from existing relationships. This required initiative, adaptability, and leveraging long-term connections.Paul’s advice for aspiring engineering leaders? He emphasized that leadership requires intentional development. He encouraged engineers to actively seek growth through podcasts, books, mentorship, and real-world practice. His core message is simple: if you want to be a leader, you must consistently act like one.Explore the full episode summary, including guest bio, key takeaways, transcript, and recommended resources in the shownotes at www.drangeliqueadams.com/podcast.