Janice Omadeke

Janice Omadeke is a serial entrepreneur, author, and thought leader whose career centers on advancing mentorship as a fundamental workplace right. After transitioning from a corporate graphic designer to the startup sector, Omadeke leveraged more than 10 years of leadership experience at Fortune 500 companies, including PwC, BAE Systems, and ITT Defense, where she developed internal mentoring programs that informed her entrepreneurial pursuits. This experience led to the creation of The Mentor Method, an enterprise platform designed to help organizations retain and develop diverse talent through structured mentorship.

The Mentor Method uses a double-blind algorithm to address opportunity equity gaps in the workplace. The platform has been adopted by organizations such as the Department of Education, Amazon, and Deloitte. Under Omadeke's leadership, the company achieved several milestones, including her distinction as one of the first 100 Black women in the United States to raise over $1 million in seed funding for a technology startup and as the first Black woman in Austin, Texas, to achieve a venture-backed exit. The Mentor Method was acquired by The Cru, a professional training and coaching company, to further support diversity, workforce development, and talent engagement for women.

Omadeke has been recognized in the business and technology sectors, named to Entrepreneur magazine's 100 Women of Influence and the Forbes Next 1000 list. Her company has received honors such as Capital Factory's Women in Tech Challenge and MassChallenge Texas Gold, and has been featured in The Washington Business Journal and Entrepreneur Magazine, earning a 50 on Fire designation for both Austin and DC Inno. She is frequently cited as a thought leader in mentorship and entrepreneurship by Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and Inc.

In addition to her work with The Mentor Method, Omadeke authored the book "Mentorship Unlocked: The Science and Art of Setting Yourself Up for Success," published by Wiley and selected as an official SXSW Book. The book explores the dynamics of mentor relationships, offering practical guidance on finding and working with mentors, and draws on Omadeke's studies in entrepreneurship and strategic management at MIT and Harvard. She has appeared on Brené Brown's "Dare to Lead" podcast, discussing her journey in entrepreneurship and workplace equity.

Omadeke's expertise in data-driven decision-making, strategy, team-building, and innovation is reflected in her contributions to publications such as Forbes, Harvard Business Review, The Austin Business Journal, Black Enterprise, and Inc. Through speaking engagements, writing, and advising emerging founders, Omadeke continues to influence the evolution of equitable and inclusive workplaces through mentorship and entrepreneurship.