SemegaChange CEO hosted on Lunch with Leaders Podcast

By: Leila Biola Olukoga

03/17/2026

Niouma Semega, CEO of SemegaChange, was welcomed to the Lunch with Leaders Podcast on March 17. Hosted by Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya, the podcast episode focused on themes such as environmental justice within areas of predominantly marginalized communities as well as empowering the next generation of young minds in STEM. 

Semega spoke at length about her educational background, from receiving her Bachelor’s from New York University in Public Health to her current studies as a PhD student at Boston University, researching healthcare inequities related to climate change and air pollution. Semega also provided academic and organizational resources to students looking to manage their hectic schedules. 

In the episode, Semega shed light on her Mauritanian background as being the foundation for her academic and professional interests in these subjects. From the age of nine, Semega was inspired to provide innovative solutions to environmental injustice experienced both in her home country and in marginalized communities worldwide. 

Semega also spoke to the success of SemegaChange in launching nationwide and international educational initiatives for young girls to pursue their interests in STEM. Moreover, Semega spoke to how organizations such as SemegaChange can enable young minds to bring an end to overlooked environmental issues within their own communities. Through SemegaChange-sponsored initiatives such as the Women’s Leadership Summit in Tanzania and EmpowerHer in Ghana, young minds can be encouraged to make progress from the ground up.  

Lastly, Semega stated that she hopes her work will inspire young girls of color to fill spaces that they typically aren’t afforded to make these changes.