Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.  

My name is Shewa Adekanmbi, and I attend STEM Innovation Academy in Calgary, Alberta. I come from a Christian family, and I was born in Nigeria. Since storytelling has always been a core interest of mine, I enjoy exploring it through a variety of mediums – particularly music, art, writing, dance, worldbuilding, theater, and photography. On a rainy day, you’re likely to find me curled up indoors with a good book. 

Q: Why do you want to participate in the Shad program/What are you most looking forward to?  

With Shad, I’m most excited to explore different leadership opportunities. Since my mom is a business founder, I’ve followed her to pitch competitions that have exposed me to the world of entrepreneurship. I hope that my time at Shad will teach me valuable leadership skills that I can go out and apply in the real world. 

Q: What motivates or sparks your curiosity in STEAM and/or entrepreneurship?  

Since I attend a STEM-based school, I’ve had the opportunity to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math in varying capacities over the years. I want to see how these fields can overlap with other fields and become multidisciplinary, incorporating different skillsets to create innovative solutions. How can we combine science and music? Can art play a part in engineering? How do the creative and technological worlds work together? These questions intrigue me. 

Q: How do you envision your future? 

I know that in the future, I will be some sort of creator. Whether that means as a career, a side-hustle, or a hobby, I believe that God has made me inherently creative for a reason. Lately, I’ve been interested in architecture and psychology. I also hope to publish the book that I have been working on.