Shelmina Babai Abji: Expert Empowerment

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Seattle, WA, USA
  • **Fee range: On Request

Keynote Topics

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 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 […]

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.

Shelmina Babai Abji | Empowerment

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.

Shelmina serves on the advisory board of Girl Up, a global leadership development initiative by UN foundation positioning girls to be leaders in the movement for gender equality. She previously served on the board of TiE-Seattle, Bellevue College, and Young Women Empowered.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

You may be interested in...

  • (6)
Lonnie Mayne

Lonnie Mayne is a globally recognized motivational speaker and the founder of Red Shoes Living, an organization dedicated to inspiring excellence in leadership and performance. With over two decades of experience in the corporate world, Lonnie has become a beacon of positivity and high performance, helping individuals and organizations achieve their highest potential. His unique […]

  • Travels from: Park City, UT
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (+3)
  • (8)
Kathy Caprino

Kathy Caprino, M.A., stands at the forefront of empowering women in their careers and leadership journeys. As an internationally-recognized women’s career and executive coach, writer, leadership trainer, and sought-after speaker, Kathy embodies a unique blend of corporate expertise, coaching prowess, and therapeutic insight. With a career spanning 18 years as a corporate executive and 15 […]

  • Travels from: Stamford, CT
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (+1)
  • (16)
  • (2)

Obsessed with possibility, Dr Stacey Ashley helps leaders to flourish while they navigate the complexities of globalization, technological advancement, social interconnectivity, massively accelerating change, and a multi-generational workforce operating in a flexible work environment. With over 30 years’ experience, Stacey has helped 1000’s to develop their leadership competence, confidence and credibility. The author of five […]

  • Travels from: Sydney, NSW
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (+2)
  • (9)

Lili Gil Valletta is a distinguished authority in cultural intelligence and business transformation. As the co-founder and CEO of CIEN+, she has pioneered innovative strategies that help organizations harness the power of cultural diversity to drive growth and innovation. Her expertise and influence extend across various industries, making her a sought-after speaker for events focused […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • (+4)
  • (20)
Cady Coleman - MISSION INTERPLANETARY

Former NASA Astronaut and Air Force Colonel Cady Coleman is a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions and a six-month expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Onstage, Coleman draws from her time at NASA and in extreme “remote work” situations to discuss team building, leadership, and innovation. With her extraordinary photos and videos, Coleman delivers a […]

  • Travels from: Washington, DC
  • Military Speakers
  • (+6)
  • (38)
Julian Guthrie

Julian Guthrie is a name synonymous with storytelling prowess, journalistic excellence, and an uncanny ability to bring untold narratives to life. As a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and seasoned journalist, she has etched her mark on the literary and corporate landscapes alike. With three captivating books under her belt, including two national best sellers, Julian’s […]

  • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
  • Innovation Speakers
  • (+3)
  • (65)
  • (6)
Sara Canaday

Sara Canaday is a distinguished figure in the realm of leadership development, renowned for her insightful guidance and practical strategies aimed at empowering professionals to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape. As a seasoned speaker, author, and thought leader, Sara brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her engagements, inspiring audiences to […]

  • Travels from: Austin, TX
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (+4)
  • (23)
Seth Mattison

Seth Mattison is a renowned business strategist and keynote speaker who has dedicated nearly two decades to studying business performance, transformation, and leadership within some of the world’s most renowned brands. With a profound understanding of the evolving landscape of work, Seth is on a mission to shape the future of work, making it more […]

  • Travels from: Charlotte, NC
  • Business Speakers
  • (+9)
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel