About Podcast
Scaling a business is never easy, but imagine launching just months before a global pandemic. That’s exactly what happened to Alex Knight, mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur and founder of STEMAZING, a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to empowering women and non-binary people in STEM. What began as a bold step away from corporate security quickly transformed into a movement that has inspired over 150,000 STEM engagements in just four years.
In this episode, Alex shares how resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep personal commitment to equity shaped her journey from technical director to recognized role model. She reveals how STEMAZING’s flagship Inspiration Academy scaled by turning women in STEM into confident, visible ambassadors who could inspire the next generation while also advancing their own careers. From pivoting during COVID-19 to leveraging role models as an organic salesforce, Alex offers candid insights on finding opportunity in crisis, building a business with impact at its core, and creating a model that thrives even beyond the founder’s involvement.
Key Takeaways:
- Why starting before you feel “ready” often sparks the momentum you need to scale.
- How to pivot business models effectively by identifying the gift inside obstacles.
- A framework for empowering customers and turning them into passionate advocates.
- The importance of role modeling in leadership and why everyone is one, by default.
- How to design programs and processes that outgrow the founder and scale organically.
Join us with Alex Knight as she reveals how purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and smart pivots can transform a personal mission into a global movement.
- Empowering Women and Non-Binary People in STEM: Building confidence and providing professional development to enhance visibility and impact.
- Inspiring the Next Generation: Engaging children with fun STEM activities to spark curiosity.
- Promoting Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity: Advocating for an inclusive STEM landscape by breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes.
- Leveraging Digital Platforms for Reach: Expanding accessibility through virtual programs and online resources.
- Sustainable Growth and Impact: Strengthening the foundation for long-term success and lasting change in STEM education.
Special Guest: Alex Knight, Founder & CEO of STEMAZING
Location: Northumberland, England UK
Air Date: January 3, 2025
Websites:
- STEMAZING: the website home to the non-profit Alex started with a mission to expose young girls to STEM.
- Alex was nominated for a Top Engineer award by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK
Producer & Host: Alicia Butler Pierre
Audio Editor: Olanrewaju Adeyemo
Sound Design: Sabor! Music Enterprises
Video Editor: Gladys Jimenez
Production Assistant: Hashim Tale
Sponsor: Equilibria, Inc.More About Alexandra “Alex” Knight:
Unlikely engineer, recovering wallflower and Founder of STEMAZING.From shy imposter to award-winning engineer and Founder, Visiting Professor and visible role model speaking on stages and appearing on TV. In 2019 Alex sold her house, left her job and even cancelled Netflix to follow her passion for equity and inclusion in STEM.
More About Host, Alicia Butler Pierre:
Alicia Butler Pierre is the Founder & CEO of Equilibria, Inc. Her career in operations began over 25 years ago while working in various chemical plants and oil refineries. She invented the Kasennu™ framework for business infrastructure and authored, Behind the Façade: How to Structure Company Operations for Sustainable Success. She is the producer of Scale Tales podcast and the weekly top 2% Business Infrastructure podcast with a global audience across 70+ countries.Alicia is also an adjunct instructor of Lean Principles at Purdue University and serves as the USA Chair of the G100’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. The Process Excellence Network recognized her as a Top 50 Thought Leader in Operational Excellence. A chemical engineer turned entrepreneur, she’s designed and optimized processes for small businesses, large enterprises, non-profits, and government organizations alike.
More About Sponsor, Equilibria:
Equilibria, Inc. is a 19-year-old boutique operations management firm. We build the business infrastructure necessary for fast-growing businesses to scale with less pain. With a range of services and products, entrepreneurs can get the operational support and resources they need on demand. 
