Influential Woman · Leadership Development and Consulting
Dr. Angela C. Meyers, Ed.D.
Founder & Chief Learning Officer, Polymaths Place, LLC
Springfield, VA 22152
I took the long way to my doctorate not just for a credential, but for the intellectual foundation to build the work I'm doing today.
Dr. Angela C. Meyers, Ed.D. · In Her Own Words
In Conversation
Angela Meyers for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Dr. Angela C. Meyers, Ed.D.: Speaker: Angela C. Meyers, Ed.D., Founder & Chief Learning Officer, Polymaths Place, LLCAngela C. Meyers, Ed.D.: And I think real influence happens when the way that you live gives other people permission to be fully themselves.What does being an Influential Woman mean to you?Angela C. Meyers, Ed.D.: To me, being an influential woman is not about like having the biggest platforms or being the loudest voice in the room. It's really about having the courage to show up as your authentic self, to stand for what you believe in, to use whatever gifts or talents you've been given in the world to make the world a little better in your own way. And I think real influence happens when the way that you live gives other people permission to be fully themselves. It's not about having all the answers. It's really about being willing to keep growing and to keep learning, to keep showing up even when life is hard, even when it would be easier to just make yourself smaller and conform. It's having the courage to really be you and to keep showing up and keep trying. And ultimately, I think influence is really about service to others. If something that I have learned or created or said or done helps another person in some way, then that's real positive influence to me. It's basically leaving people and places and maybe even the world a little bit better place because you were here.What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?Angela C. Meyers, Ed.D.: Is don't wait for someone else to give you permission to become the woman that you know you're capable of becoming. You don't have to have everything figured out, and you don't have to feel completely confident when you're starting. You just have to have the courage to go. And you don't have to follow the path that everyone else takes either. You don't have to take the path that other people think you should. I think we should all pay attention to what we find fascinating, what we're curious about, what makes us feel alive, what keeps calling us back, and really to trust ourselves enough to follow those things, even when they lead somewhere that we didn't expect to go. And I think it's also really important to not be afraid to change our mind too. We may have certain plans and then we may need to adjust. Sometimes the dream that you start out with is not the dream that you end up keeping. And so we all may need to grow into different versions of ourselves over time. And even if that version isn't what we expected, and that's not failure, that's what growth looks like in the real world. And I think that your life does not have to look like a conventional path in order to be meaningful. And I just want to encourage anyone watching this to really build a life that feels true to you.
Her Story
About Angela
Dr. Angela C. Meyers, Ed.D., is a leadership development consultant, organizational development strategist, researcher, author, and speaker specializing in helping organizations develop adaptive, future-ready leaders in the age of artificial intelligence. As the Founder and Chief Learning Officer of Polymaths Place, LLC, she works at the intersection of leadership, organizational learning, human intelligence, and AI, helping organizations strengthen uniquely human capabilities such as curiosity, adaptability, strategic thinking, collective intelligence, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Recognized as a pioneer in modern polymathy studies, Dr. Meyers authored the world's first doctoral dissertation examining polymathy as a contemporary human phenomenon and continues advancing research in the field through consulting, education, publications, and executive leadership development. Dr. Meyers earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Human & Organizational Learning from The George Washington University, where she graduated with honors as a member of the Golden Key Honor Society. She also holds a Master of Communication Management from the University of Southern California and is a Certified Life and Leadership Coach. Before founding Polymaths Place, she dedicated 15 years to U.S. federal government service, including roles within the Executive Office of the President under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama and leadership development positions at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Center for Leadership Development, where she managed large-scale executive education programs serving federal leaders from across the federal government. Beyond her consulting practice, Dr. Meyers is an active researcher, educator, and advocate for human-centered innovation. She serves on the Research Committee of the Human Intelligence Movement, is a Scientific Council Member of the Alternative Planetary Futures Institute, and founded the Prison Transparency Project, promoting evidence-based approaches to institutional reform and organizational effectiveness. Through her books, keynote presentations, leadership programs, and thought leadership, she encourages individuals and organizations to embrace lifelong learning, cultivate versatile thinking, and unlock the full potential of human intelligence. Guided by the principles of truth, beauty, and love, Dr. Meyers remains committed to helping people and organizations thrive in an increasingly complex and AI-integrated world.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Angela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning, curiosity, and the courage to continually grow beyond traditional boundaries. My grandmother, Georgia Meyers, profoundly shaped who I am by teaching me that learning is the pathway to solving problems and overcoming challenges. She inspired me to believe in myself, embrace new opportunities, and never allow circumstances to define my potential. Throughout my career, I have chosen to remain curious, adaptable, and willing to explore ideas across disciplines, trusting that broad learning and authentic growth create meaningful impact.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received is to dedicate myself to a cause (or causes) that I genuinely care about. That way, the work is meaningful.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to resist the pressure to define yourself by a single role, career path, or area of expertise. Give yourself permission to explore widely, remain curious, and pursue the many dimensions of who you are. The experiences, interests, and knowledge you gain across different disciplines will eventually connect in meaningful ways, allowing you to think more creatively, solve complex problems, and make unique contributions. Don't be afraid to become an original. Build a life that reflects your authentic curiosity, continue learning throughout your life, and trust that your individuality is one of your greatest strengths.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe one of the greatest challenges facing organizations today is overcoming the tendency to value narrow specialization over broader human potential. As artificial intelligence increasingly performs specialized knowledge work, organizations must rethink how they develop and support human talent. The greatest opportunity is to cultivate curiosity, adaptability, interdisciplinary thinking, creativity, collective intelligence, and lifelong learning. By recognizing and developing polymathic thinkers and creating environments where diverse capabilities are valued, organizations can become more innovative, resilient, and better prepared for the future of work.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide my life and work are truth, beauty, and love. I believe truth provides clarity, wisdom, and authenticity, enabling us to navigate complexity with integrity. Beauty inspires creativity, meaning, and excellence—not only through aesthetics but also through beautiful character, beautiful ideas, and the beautiful environments we create. Love reminds me that every person matters and deserves dignity, compassion, and respect. Together, these values shape how I lead, learn, build relationships, and help individuals and organizations flourish.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.