Megan Yoo Schneider, MWDOC Division 7 Director

03/22/2026

It's an honor to support such a worthwhile cause and organization! 💙💛

Megan Yoo Schneider, ovarian cancer survivor, cancer awareness advocate and co-captain of Team O***y Achievers, was featured in VoyageLA!

In this inspiring interview, Megan shares her remarkable journey from engineer and leadership development expert to ovarian cancer survivor. She opens up about how her 2022 diagnosis transformed her sense of purpose and ultimately led her to the UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge, where she channeled that drive into raising over $33,000 last year for life-changing cancer research.

She'll be back as co-captain of Team O***y Achievers with the goal of $50,000 this year! Megan's story is proof that one person's courage can inspire an entire community to show up, come together and make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Read the full interview at https://voyagela.com/interview/check-out-megan-yoo-schneiders-story/

02/05/2026

“You look so good! You’re all done with cancer now, right?”

That question holds more than people realize.

This World Cancer Day, I shared a personal reflection on surviving, evolving, and what cancer taught me about time, growth, and not waiting for the “right” moment.

If you’ve ever had something shift your perspective on life, this one’s for you.
🔗 https://open.substack.com/pub/meganyooschneider/p/world-cancer-day-and-every-day-after?r=yzi25&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

10/05/2025

“Thank you for saving my life.”

That’s what I texted my surgeon, Dr. Robert Bristow, after giving my speech last night at the University of California, Irvine Brilliant Future campaign close celebration. He is, quite literally, my lifesaver.

It was an extraordinary honor to share my story and thank some of the incredibly generous donors who helped raise more than $2.4 billion for UCI. As a double alumna, donor, fundraiser, and patient, it was a full-circle moment.

Earlier that evening, a conversation with Chancellor Howard Gillman reminded me:

I’ve been advocating for myself long before I ever had to advocate for my health.

Transferring into UCI’s chemical engineering program wasn’t something that was “supposed” to happen for transfer students like me. The department didn’t allow it at the time. But I had already completed a year of engineering at Tulane and USC, and I knew what I wanted. So I pushed for a path that didn’t yet exist.

That spirit of self-advocacy would prove life-saving years later.

In 2022, after months of pain, dismissed symptoms, and endless waitlists, I finally got a CT scan. It revealed a nearly 28-centimeter tumor on my right o***y. My bloodwork had all been “normal.” The first surgeon I saw planned a laparoscopic procedure.

Dr. Bristow had a different approach.

He saw me. He listened. And he said something I’ll never forget: “I never let an incision get in the way of saving a life.”

He was right. The biopsy confirmed mucinous ovarian cancer.

If I’d had laparoscopic surgery, the cancer could have spread.

UCI Health -- and Dr. Bristow -- saved my life.

Since then, I’ve channeled my energy into purpose.

I now co-captain the O***y Achievers team with Dr. Bristow for the UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge. We’ve raised tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research. I’ve spoken on Capitol Hill with the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance OCRA. And I continue to support UCI’s mission however I can.

From cancer care to community impact, from research to resilience -- UCI shaped my past and protected my future.

And I am forever grateful.

🎗️ If you’d like to contribute to cancer research or cheer us on,
👉 You can learn more and give here:
https://www.anti-cancerchallenge.org/megyooschneider
🚴‍♀️ You can also join us next Saturday for the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge!

📸 Check out the screenshots of my messages with Dr. Bristow. Some things don’t need many words. Everyone deserves a doctor who cares about them as a patient AND as a person.

💬 If this story resonates with you, or if you've had to advocate for your own health, I’d love to hear your story, too.

PS Thank you to Goran Matijasevic for always taking the best photos AND for all YOU do to support UCI!

10/04/2025

Leadership development is a multi-billion dollar industry — yet most programs fail to deliver real results.

That’s why it was such an honor to guest lecture at Harvard Kennedy School’s Developing People class earlier this year — a space that dares to go deeper and ask: how do leaders actually grow?

I never imagined myself guest lecturing at Harvard University.

In high school, everyone assumed I’d end up there. It wasn’t even a question. But life had other plans.

What I’ve learned: unexpected circumstances aren’t always unfortunate.

As I reflected on the journey that brought me here, I realized it was a series of seemingly unconnected events and experiences that led me to this moment.

The more I reflected, the further back I could go — and eventually, I saw I could keep going forever, tracing a path through moments that shaped me.

Years ago, while trying to better align my work with my purpose and passion, my coach Krista encouraged me to reach out to Angela Duckworth and Adam Grant. I never imagined both would respond — or offer such thoughtful guidance and connections.

Angela introduced me to Donald, and Adam connected me with Karren and pointed me to programs at Penn.

At the time, I thought I was done with school. But Adam planted a seed, and Karren helped me water it. That seed grew into my time in the PennCLO program — a decision that changed everything.

Through that program, I wrote my dissertation:
📘 An Exploration of the Relationship Between Significant Life Experiences, Leader Identity Development, and Adult Development in the Workplace Context
(https://www.proquest.com/docview/3069045410)

It explored a gap in the leadership literature: while many acknowledge that significant life experiences shape leadership, few studies examine the full spectrum of those experiences or how they relate to leader identity and adult development in the workplace.

The research — and writing process — was deeply personal. It happened alongside some of the most significant life experiences I’ve faced, including a rare ovarian cancer diagnosis and a complex spinal cord issue. Both required intense surgeries and long recoveries.

So when Professor Tim O'Brien reached out and said he had read my dissertation — I was floored. So many people say they’ll read your dissertation… but very few do. Tim did.

Then he invited me to speak to his class at the Harvard Kennedy School.

It was one of the most meaningful and rewarding moments of my journey. I had the chance to speak with passionate graduate students — many already doing incredible work in their communities. We talked about how I’ve put leadership research into practice, and what it really means to develop people in real-world environments.

As a public servant and community leader, it meant so much to speak with others committed to creating change.

This experience reminded me: growth isn’t always linear. Sometimes the detour is the path. And sometimes, the path circles back in the most beautiful way.

07/08/2025

Lessons from hosting a 70th birthday celebration: A karaoke party, some very off-key singing, and a reflection on why we wait for things to be perfect before we let ourselves begin.

Read more: meganyooschneider.substack.com

06/27/2025

19 years ago today, I started my career with a simple goal:

Get a “good” job with solid retirement benefits. Working for a public agency felt like the perfect path.

Little did I know how much that path would evolve.

Brian Villacorta was my first boss, and he gave me room to think outside the box and own my work. He trusted me to innovate, deliver, and stretch beyond expectations. I was too early in my career to realize what a gift that was -- but looking back, I’m forever grateful. He also planted the seed that I could always find spaces to feed my constant need to learn and grow.

Peter Lister was my first boss in consulting. He opened a window into team leadership and business management at a formative time. From him, I learned that running a successful business is all about people -- knowing your clients, understanding your team, and being attentive to their needs.

Those early lessons -- paired with my drive to keep learning and make a meaningful impact -- set something in motion.

I realized my passion for process optimization extended beyond engineering. With my curiosity about people, I began to see how organizations -- like systems -- can be optimized only by understanding the human element.

While machines often reward input with output, people are different.

They bring intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, lived experience, values, and purpose. Leading in a people-centered organization means leading mindfully and intentionally.

There was no roadmap. I said yes to opportunities that taught me something new -- even when they didn’t seem to connect at the time. Yet in hindsight it all connects.

That winding path, from designing treatment systems to leading transformational projects and developing leaders, wasn’t one I anticipated. But staying curious, saying yes to learning, and anchoring in my passion for helping people led me to work I deeply value.

Maybe I underestimated how much I care about driving change -- and how that would lead me to leadership development. Either way, I’m grateful for every experience and person who shaped my path.

As I approach 20 years in my career, I’m reflecting more intentionally on the years ahead -- thinking about how to spend the second half with purpose and care.

What’s top of mind moving forward?

⭐ Show appreciation for the people you value and respect
⭐ Focus on what you can do
⭐ Be mindful of your time and how you spend it
⭐ Recognize and honor your priorities
⭐ Forgive yourself for anything you need to let go of
⭐ Stay open to being surprised by your own growth

➡️ As I look back and ahead, I want to pay it forward in more meaningful ways.

If you -- or someone you know -- could use support from a coach, DM me. I’m creating space to support one individual ready to grow, scale their impact, and pay it forward in turn

👉 What about you?
As you reflect on your own journey, what lessons have stuck with you? What would you add to this list?

05/26/2025

Memorial Day always falls close to my birthday, and it's always been a reminder to thank those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to give us the life and freedom we have come to appreciate and sometimes take for granted. Today, we remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. ❤️🤍💙

04/05/2025

Paying it forward never gets old.

I miss teaching regularly, so it's always a joy to step back onto a college campus and connect with the next generation. There’s something electric about the eagerness to learn, the passion for change, and the drive to make a difference that so many students embody today.

Thank you, Dean Jinny Rhee, for inviting me to speak at the Women in Engineering conference last week. I was honored to serve as a speaker for both the coaching circle on steering your career trajectory and the active learning session. It’s always a pleasure to share insights from my own career and research with the next generation of STEM professionals.

Special thanks to Jennifer Didlo for facilitating a thoughtful and engaging coaching circle and to Marwan N. Youssef, Ph.D., P.E. for leading a dynamic discussion in the active learning session. I left just as inspired as I hope the students did.

Grateful for the chance to give back -- and always learning in return.

To those who’ve had mentors who made a difference -- how are you paying it forward? I’d love to hear your stories.

03/09/2025

This month, as we celebrate women, and today, on International Women’s Day, I’ve been reflecting on the reality of being a woman in today’s world.

We celebrate strength, achievement, and resilience, but we often overlook the hurdles, pain, and suffering that so many women endure—often in silence.

We see the smiles, laughter, and positivity that women radiate, yet we forget to acknowledge the invisible labor and unseen trauma they carry.

Recently, I had another checkup with my oncologist and celebrated 29 months cancer-free.

When people think of illness, they picture weakness. But in these photos (top row), I felt miserable and had no idea I had cancer. I was in pain, fatigued, and felt unlike myself—but I still hiked, did pushups, situps, and participated in a leadership retreat at West Point. I still hosted friends and gatherings. I still worked. I was still doing everything. I just didn’t feel right.

In these photos (bottom row), I am learning what life is like after cancer. I feel so much better, but there’s no handbook for processing the trauma of major surgery or realizing how differently life could have turned out. Once you’ve had cancer, you realize how precious health and life are. I’m still hiking, hosting friends, and working. I’m still doing everything—I just feel different.

My journey may not be the same as anyone else’s, but that’s the beauty of being an individual and being a woman.

We are all on our own journeys, each different, each incredible in its own way. And each may come with struggles too.

For the women silently struggling right now, this message is for you.

Whatever you’re going through does not define you. Whatever hurdle is in your way, you can overcome it.

You will get through this. You will get past it. You are more than this.

You are worth it. You have done amazing things, and you will do even more incredible things in the future.

You may not see what’s ahead of you right now, but take it one step at a time. Eventually, you’ll see where you’re headed—and it will be everything you imagined and more.

Others may never understand your pain. They may never recognize the strength it took to get through today or acknowledge what it took to get up and move on.

Just promise me this—when you have a good day, take a moment to celebrate it.

Being a woman can be hard. It can feel impossible. But being a woman means being unlike anyone else. We are marvelous, and we make the world a better place.

Own it. Celebrate it. And keep giving your gift to this world.

02/15/2025

A year ago, I underwent spinal cord surgery—an experience that profoundly reshaped my understanding of resilience. As someone who has always been active and energetic, I never knew I had a rare congenital condition that often limits mobility and bodily function. I ran varsity cross country and track, clocking a sub-6-minute mile. Yet, over time, I noticed a gradual loss of strength in one leg. It took years and multiple medical opinions before I finally received the diagnosis that explained it all.

The surgery was risky—few neurosurgeons operate on adults with tethered spinal cords. After meeting with seven different specialists, I finally found one with the experience to take on my case. Because the condition is so rare, every surgery carries uncertainty. But this was my only chance to preserve my mobility and maintain the active life I loved.

After hours in the operating room, I spent a week in the hospital. The first three days were especially difficult—I wasn’t allowed to get up at all. I had to lie flat and shift from side to side, giving my body time to heal and prevent spinal fluid leakage. Through it all, I was lifted by the love of incredible friends and colleagues—flowers, care packages, visits from old coworkers, and even one friend who drove hundreds of miles just to see me. Their kindness was humbling and heartwarming.

Once home, the recovery continued. For 12 long weeks, I couldn’t bend, lift, or twist. It was a slow process, but looking back, I’m in awe of how much my body has healed in just a year. I’ve regained strength and mobility I never thought possible.

Our bodies are incredibly resilient when we give them the time and space to heal. It’s a reminder to take care of ourselves—not just physically, but in every way. Because this world needs each of us, with our unique gifts, and no one else can be you.

So today, on Valentine’s Day, give yourself the gift of self-love. After all, there’s only one you. ❤️

11/09/2024

It was my second time this quarter guest lecturing at my alma mater, University of California, Irvine. This time, I had the privilege of speaking to chemical engineering students taught by my former professor, Dr. Ali Mohraz.

If you ever want to find hope for the future and feel inspired by the next generation, I encourage you to spend time on a college campus. These students asked incredibly thoughtful questions, and their earnestness to make a positive impact truly energized me.

Showing up to class on a Friday afternoon isn’t anyone’s favorite thing, but these students not only stayed engaged the entire hour—they stayed even longer, after we went over time.

I’m confident our next generation of leaders will be extraordinary. I admire how much they care about humanity and the environment. There are so many truly good people in this world.

May we continue to foster their curiosity, eagerness, and desire to create positive change.

May we take the time to mentor them and support their success.

May we chart a path they will be proud to build upon.

If you have an hour to give back, consider spending it with college students. It will be just as rewarding for you as it is for them. ✨