If you’re a woman, especially a woman of color, you know this already: You face unique challenges and obstacles as you work to scale the corporate ladder. From not seeing other faces in the room that look like you to dealing with the stereotypes and (often unconscious) biases in the workplace, you may know what to do to succeed, but not how to get it done in this environment. Show Your Worth shows you how.
In pages that are both inspirational and practical, Shelmina Babai Abji speaks directly to professional women—especially women of color—about how the power of being intentional and strategic can help transform the headwinds you face into much-needed tailwinds.
Shelmina Babai Abji is an acclaimed leadership and empowerment speaker, TEDx presenter, board member, and former Vice President at IBM, where she led global teams generating more than $1 billion in annual revenue. From her beginnings as a software engineer to her rise as one of IBM’s top female executives, Shelmina’s story is one of courage, perseverance, and purpose-driven leadership.
Born and raised in a small town in Tanzania with no access to education beyond 10th grade, Shelmina became the first in her family to graduate from college. Her journey from limited opportunity to corporate success drives her mission: to equip women and underrepresented professionals with the tools to lead with confidence and clarity.
With advanced leadership training from Harvard University, UCLA, and IBM, Shelmina brings evidence-based strategies and lived experience to every stage. She has inspired audiences at Google, Edward Jones, Harvard University, the National Center for Women in Technology, and Black Women in STEM events.
Shelmina’s message blends personal authenticity with actionable strategy—showing audiences how to recognize their value, own their power, and accelerate their leadership trajectory with intention and purpose.
Shelmina Babai Abji is a TEDx speaker, board member, former vice president at IBM, and an angel investor. She started her career as a software engineer and then moved into sales and sales leadership, leading global teams to deliver over $1B in annual revenues and serving as a key decision-maker in hiring and promoting hundreds of professionals.
She received extensive leadership training at IBM, Harvard University, and UCLA. As a global empowerment speaker, Abji has addressed attendees at companies, conferences, and colleges that include Google, Edward Jones, National Center for Women in Technology, Black women in STEM, and Harvard.
Shelmina Babai Abji comes from a small town in Tanzania which did not have education past 10th grade. Driven by her desire to lift herself and her family out of poverty, she was first in her family to graduate college.
When Shelmina Babai Abji started her career, there was no one in the room that looked like her. She was afraid to speak up in meetings and underestimated her worth.
There was no books written for women like her to achieve career success.
Through the many challenges and opportunities she came across, she discovered a blueprint that transformed her career and enabled her to become one of the highest ranking woman of color at IBM while raising her two children as a single mother since they were 4 and 2.
She started her career as a Software Engineer and then moved to Sales and sales leadership. She has led global teams and various businesses in multiple sectors. She has delivered over $1B in revenues annually and has consistently maintained high client satisfaction as well as team morale. She was a decision-maker in hiring and promoting hundreds of professionals.
At the peak of Shelmina Babai Abji career, she left IBM to share her blueprint to help other women transform their careers and emerge as leaders.
Through mentoring thousands of women, speaking at corporations, colleges, and conferences globally, she realized that women are still struggling with the same challenges she faced during her career. They are ambitious and looking for ways to achieve career success.
They inspired her to write a book. Her ultimate goal is to create gender equality in leadership roles.
Shelmina Babai Abji has degrees in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, and Mathematics from Wadia College in Pune, India. As part of IBM’s top talent, she received extensive leadership training at IBM and Harvard.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter
In her powerful TEDx talk, Shelmina Babai Abji—former IBM Vice President and global empowerment leader—reveals how embracing fear can become the catalyst for courage, confidence, and career growth.
In this 18-minute, 13-second TEDx talk, Shelmina Babai Abji delivers an inspiring and deeply relatable message about reframing fear as a force for advancement rather than limitation. Drawing on her personal story of rising from a small town in Tanzania to the executive ranks of IBM, Shelmina explores how fear—when faced with awareness and intention—can fuel growth, confidence, and meaningful leadership.
She begins by sharing her early experiences as one of the few women and people of color in global corporate spaces. Initially afraid to speak up, she realized that fear itself could be a compass—pointing toward opportunities that mattered most. By confronting her insecurities, she built the confidence to lead teams generating more than $1 billion in revenue and became a mentor to other women pursuing leadership excellence.
Throughout the talk, Shelmina provides a framework for transforming fear into power.
She encourages audiences to:
Recognize fear as a natural signal of growth and potential.
Reframe self-doubt into curiosity and preparation.
Take bold action in alignment with purpose and values.
Through personal anecdotes, humility, and humor, Shelmina shows that fear isn’t a barrier—it’s a teacher. Her story resonates with anyone who has ever doubted their place in the room, reminding audiences that fear can be the spark that ignites leadership and empowerment.
02:15 – Overcoming fear of being different and unseen in corporate spaces
05:00 – Lessons from rising to IBM Vice President and leading global teams
08:30 – Transforming fear into fuel for courage and leadership growth
12:10 – Empowering others to speak up and embrace their worth
15:45 – The mindset shift: fear as a signal for purpose-driven action
Leadership advancement, confidence building, career empowerment for women, and strategies for inclusive success.
She draws from her executive career leading global teams to share actionable lessons on influence, decision-making, and authentic leadership.
Organizations aiming to develop high-potential talent, foster diversity in leadership, and inspire purpose-driven performance.
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
Emily Jaenson is a trailblazer in sports leadership and a nationally recognized expert on confidence building and authentic leadership. As the first female General Manager of a Triple-A Minor League Baseball team in nearly 20 years, Emily shattered long-standing industry barriers and became a voice for change in the world of sports and business. With […]
With his unique approach to leadership and an unwavering commitment to helping people find their purpose, Brant Menswar has left an indelible mark on the world of business and personal development. In this profile, we will delve into the life and work of Brant Menswar, exploring his journey, his philosophy, and the impact he has […]
Lisa Bodell is a globally recognized leader in organizational transformation, known for her groundbreaking work in simplification, collaboration, and innovation. As the founder and CEO of FutureThink, a leading innovation training firm, Lisa has empowered top organizations worldwide to rethink the way they work, replacing complexity with clarity and fostering a culture of innovation. Her […]
Steve Lerch is an award-winning international public speaker, consultant, and former Google Executive, and has become a highly respected voice in the world of digital strategy, marketing, consumer behavior, and innovation. While at Google, Steve served as a digital strategy advisor to prominent brands like GoPro and Roku, respected non-profits like the YMCA and Save the […]
Lt. Col Jason O Harris is a highly decorated officer and seasoned pilot in the United States Air Force, recognized for his leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence. With over two decades of military service, Lt. Col Harris has accumulated a wealth of experience that transcends the boundaries of conventional leadership. His dynamic approach […]
Matt Mayberry is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker and a leading global expert in leadership development, culture change, and organizational performance. With a background as a former NFL linebacker for the Chicago Bears, Matt transformed his career from the football field to the business world. His ability to inspire and motivate both leaders and teams […]
Leah Busque Solivan is not just a speaker; she’s a visionary entrepreneur who has redefined the way we approach productivity and task management. As the founder of TaskRabbit, she revolutionized the gig economy, empowering individuals to outsource errands and tasks with ease. Leah’s journey from a software engineer at IBM to a pioneering businesswoman showcases […]
Lisa Tanzer journey to President of the $100 million optimistic lifestyle brand, Life is Good, started in 1990 when she joined the board of “Project Joy”, a small play therapy program for kids facing early childhood trauma in Boston. Today that little play group has evolved into The Life is Good Kids Foundation which positively […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
