Nicole Evans, Ph.D.

I credit my success to a strong commitment to perseverance and follow-through. I set clear goals and take ownership of achieving them, supported by a genuine passion for continuous learning. When I decide to pursue something, I approach it with focus and determination.

I was also fortunate to have influential mentors in my family. My aunt, one of the first female veterinarians to graduate from the University of Georgia, consistently encouraged me to push beyond limits and believe in what was possible. My father reinforced that mindset, challenging me to stay disciplined and keep moving forward.

At my core, I’m naturally driven to solve problems and take action. When I see something that needs to be done, I find a way to make it happen. I thrive on setting goals and take pride in delivering results. That internal drive, combined with the support and expectations instilled by my family, has shaped my professional approach and work ethic.

Don’t shy away from doing the research and putting yourself in positions where you can learn. Be willing to ask questions, dig deeper, and build your knowledge, confidence comes from preparation. Just as importantly, don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is part of the process, and some of the most valuable lessons come from it. What matters is that you keep going.

I want young women to know there is absolutely a place for them in technology and STEM fields. Too often, these industries have been seen as male-dominated, but that’s changing, and you can be part of that change. I’ve experienced this firsthand, having been the only female franchise partner at one point in the car wash industry, and working in spaces like construction where women are still underrepresented.

It’s important to challenge outdated assumptions about what women can and can’t do. I grew up hearing those same stereotypes, and I’ve made it a point to prove them wrong. We are capable of leading, building, innovating, and solving complex problems.

My advice is to show up, take up space, and support one another. When women come together and push past those barriers, we not only create opportunities for ourselves—we open doors for the next generation to see what’s possible.

One of the biggest challenges right now is building awareness and helping people truly understand what aerial intelligence is and how it applies to their business. Even in networking settings, I often find myself translating “aerial intelligence” into “drone services,” and even then, many people still see it as just capturing photos. The real value, things like 3D modeling, construction progress tracking over time, and data-driven insights for facilities management, is often overlooked. There’s also a significant opportunity to educate industries on how aerial intelligence can play a critical role in areas like insurance, especially in markets like Florida, where documenting conditions before and after events like hurricane season can provide accountability and protection for property owners.

At the same time, that gap in understanding creates a major opportunity. Aerial intelligence is part of the next wave of innovation, and we’re still in the early stages of adoption. Businesses that embrace it now will have a strong competitive advantage. For me, being early in this space, particularly as a woman-owned business in a field where women are still underrepresented, positions me to grow alongside the industry and help shape how it’s understood and applied.

Family is at the center of everything I do, both personally and professionally. We’re a very close, involved family, I have three daughters, and we make it a priority to include them in what we’re building. They understand our work, ask questions, and learn alongside us. We’re intentional about staying connected through things like regular family dinners, and that sense of togetherness carries into every part of our lives.

It’s not just my immediate family either, my husband is deeply involved, my mother-in-law is part of the journey, and I’m very close with my siblings. We truly operate as a full family unit. We travel together, spend time together, and support each other in everything we do.

That mindset translates directly into my work. I don’t see success as something achieved alone, it’s built as a team. The same values of collaboration, support, and shared purpose that define my family also shape how I lead and operate professionally.