Angela Gill Nelms, COO of Aetos Imaging, shares her inspiring journey from a single mom studying biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech to a tech industry leader. Angela discusses her transition from healthcare to facilities management, the importance of diverse perspectives, and how Aetos Imaging fosters a strong company culture. She also highlights the pivotal role of mentors and the value of inclusivity in engineering solutions.
Angela Gill Nelms’ journey from biomedical engineering to becoming the COO of Aetos Imaging is a remarkable narrative of resilience, adaptability, and a passion for problem-solving. Angela’s commitment to her education, starting at Georgia Tech at the age of 29 as a single mother of a special needs child, is a testament to her determination and vision.
Reflecting on her early experiences, Angela highlights the transformative role Georgia Tech played in her career. She states, "Georgia Tech really changed so much of my life and who I am". This foundational experience in biomedical engineering not only shaped her technical acumen but also instilled a deep-seated confidence to tackle diverse challenges head-on.
When she transitioned from her previous roles in the healthcare sector to her current position at Aetos Imaging, a company focused on facilities management and 3D scanning, Angela initially resisted the change. However, a pivotal conversation and witnessing Atos' innovative product led her to envision the broader impact and potential of the technology. Angela shares, "If you've learned as an engineer how to solve problems…you can do that in any space". Her adaptability and technical know-how enabled a seamless transition and underscored the universal applicability of engineering problem-solving skills.
The value of diverse perspectives is a recurring theme in Angela’s career narrative. Recounting her time at Georgia Tech, she describes pioneering an interdisciplinary senior design project, assembling a team from various engineering majors. This endeavor highlighted how diversity fuels innovation and success.
Angela recalls, "When we start building out solutions or paths forward, the amount of inclusivity, the level of success is so much greater because you're taking in so much more insight". This experience profoundly influenced her belief in the power of diverse teams and shaped her approach to leadership. In her current role at Aetos Imaging, diversity continues to be a key consideration. Emphasizing respect and inclusivity, she ensures that every team member’s perspective is valued and harnessed for collaborative success.
Angela’s work with Georgia Tech further illustrates her commitment to diversity. "It’s super exciting to see the level of diversity he's bringing into that board," she remarks about President Angel Cabrera’s initiatives. This effort aims to include students from every county in Georgia, reinforcing the importance of diverse educational backgrounds and experiences in driving comprehensive solutions that impact the global community.
A positive and productive company culture is not just a desirable trait but a fundamental necessity for sustainable success. Angela underscores this through her meticulous evaluation of Aetos Imaging’s organizational culture before joining. Her prior experience with a company that had a toxic culture significantly shaped her priorities. "It was a big criteria point for me in deciding to come…because I've gone to a company before that had a really toxic culture," she reflects.
At Aetos, Angela found a culture that embodied respect, autonomy, and enthusiasm. The leadership team's genuine consideration for each employee's perspective played a crucial role in her decision. She notes, "The number of people who said, ‘I like that I have autonomy to build something great…working with other people who respect me as a human being,’" was a deciding factor.
This human-centric approach ensures a collaborative environment where employees thrive. Angela’s strategic insight into preserving this culture is pivotal as the company grows. She mentions, “I’m really passionate about making sure, through those phases, we figure out how to keep the company human-centric and keep the culture the way that it needs to be going forward". This forward-thinking perspective is essential for maintaining the essence of what makes Aetos a great place to work.
Angela Gill Nelms’ story illustrates the intersection of resilience, diversity, and culture in shaping a successful career. Her journey from biomedical engineering to a leadership role in the tech industry exemplifies the power of engineering problem-solving skills across sectors. Her dedication to fostering diverse teams and building a positive company culture offers valuable lessons for leaders in any field. As companies navigate the complexities of modern business environments, Angela’s insights into inclusivity and culture serve as a guiding beacon for achieving sustainable success and innovation.