Courage over Comfort – Taking the Harder Road

Nicole Adewale

Principal
ABNA Engineering, Inc.

Humans often choose the path of least resistance as they move through life. Very few are courageous enough to let go of their comforts, privilege, or societal standing to do things that will benefit others. Too often when people are in crisis, those of us who live in abundance will pass them by, expecting someone else to take care of their needs. This presentation will discuss how leaders are called to “Take the harder way” as Chadwick Boseman proposed to students in his 2018 Howard University Commencement speech.

Key Takeaways:

1. Leaders must be willing to sacrifice for those in their care –Emphasizing the value of the servant leader.

2. The Harder Way isn’t about choosing a path that is difficult for the sake of doing so, but about being willing to follow a more complicated path for the greater good.

3. Courage is not the absence of fear but the absence of comfort

More about Nicole:

As a co-founder of ABNA, Nicole is highly involved in the day-to-day running of ABNA; which has grown from its humble beginnings as a two-person firm, to more than 90 professionals and union tradespeople across three offices, performing work in more than 13 states. Nicole began her career at the Illinois Department of Transportation, IDOT, where she was a resident engineer for major roadway and bridge construction projects. Nicole earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a certified LEED® AP and is currently pursuing an Urban Affairs degree at Harris Stowe State University.

ABNA provides Structural and Civil Engineering Design Services for civil facilities such as transportation infrastructure, sewer systems, and other public utilities. ABNA also provides expertise for industrial, educational, healthcare, and commercial projects. Additionally, ABNA provides Surveying, Geotech, Construction Management, Testing & Inspection, and GIS/Planning Services for public and private clientele. ABNA has managed multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects in Illinois, worked on the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District’s storm and sanitary systems, the Interstate-64 re-construction, Cross County Metrolink extension, Interstate 55 reconstruction, the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport expansion, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, as well as BJC’s Campus Renewal Project.

ABNA is known as the “United Nations” of the engineering world; having a staff makeup that is representative of nearly every continent, who speak nearly 20 languages, and represent at least four major faith traditions.  ABNA further embraces and supports these diverse populations within the organization by encouraging volunteerism in the community.  This active investment includes a host of community organizations including the National Society of Black Engineers for which ABNA has helped raised over $100,000 for college scholarships, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) where Nicole has worn many hats to assist young people around the globe explore STEM careers through friendly competition and where Nicole served as an international emcee for seven years.

ABNA Engineering Inc. has made the list of Top 25 Engineering Firms by the St. Louis Business Journal for 18 of its 25 years in business and is consistently ranked among the top 25 African American Businesses by the St. Louis American Newspaper and in 2015 Abe and Nicole were named Entrepreneurs of the Year also by the St. Louis American.  Nicole has been honored as a volunteer of the year by FIRST LEGO League, St. Louis Business Journals Most Influential Business Women, and Upscale Magazine’s Top 25 Influential People.

One of Nicole’s greatest passions is opening doors of opportunity for young people to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction.  She fuels this passion through the support of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the National Society of Black Engineers, FIRST LEGO League, The Ethics Project, School District of University City, St. Louis University’s Parks College Advisory Board, and the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for the University of Missouri St. Louis.  ABNA has also provided internships for dozens of students over the years, five (5) of whom are full-time employees.

In addition to her supportive family, Nicole counts encouraging young people and service to the community as a key formula to advancing their vision to create a company that is honest, helps clients solve problems, is profitable, and provides opportunities for professional development while celebrating and honoring families.

Your meal will also be served with:
Chef’s Bread Course
Fleming’s Salad
Crispy Brussel Sprouts and Bacon
Fleming’s Potatoes
New York Cheesecake

Menu includes coffee, tea, and soft drinks

Please advise your server of any food allergies.  Thank you.

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