Dr. Yolanda “Yogie” Wade is

Truly More than a Conqueror

I had the privilege of interviewing this powerful woman of resilience and humility! A person with great accomplishments in the face of adversity and tragedy. Grounded in her faith in God and intentionally persevering in her God-given assignment. She is a testament to the word of God proceeding her “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and he that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Dr. Yolanda “Yogie” Wade is More than a Conqueror. 

Before we began, she ensured that when you read about her, the first line should read “she is a Christian and a woman of strong faith.” She was married for 22 years to her high school sweetheart, the man who took her to her prom! She has two beautiful children, of which her only daughter has gone on to be with the Lord, and her only son, one of whom she is very proud of, and he is following her path into the profession of security. During her daughter’s lifetime, when she was four years old, she told her mom she would one day be a medical doctor. To encourage her late daughter, Dr. Wade told her she would be a doctor in her field. After the tragic transition of her daughter…Dr. Wade fulfilled her promise, “They would get their Doctorate Degree,” and she obtained hers in October of 2022.

Dr. Yolanda “Yogie Wade turned her tragedy into triumph because she is a woman of strong faith and Truly More than a Conqueror!

Dr. Yolanda Wade was raised in a single-family home, by her mother, with four siblings. You can only smile as she boasts of being “spoiled.” Her family was very close. Raised in a family with the fear and admiration of the Lord. There were many Bible studies held within Yolanda’s family. Not just her mom and siblings but including her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother. Growing up in North St. Louis City, exclusively known as “Walnut Park” area, with a village that had a bond of friendship so tight those relationships remain very important to her even today.

Dr. Yolanda attended the St. Louis Public schools. She attended Langston Middle School, The Magnet School Program, and Central Performing Arts. She decided at the age of thirteen what career field she would enter. This decision was based on a tragedy that took place at her church home. During a weekly prayer service, the church faced an intruder who made some members strip of their clothing, and he also kidnapped a member and raped her. This, at first, made Dr. Wade afraid to not go to the rest-room or be alone at church. As a young girl, it also caused her to pay close attention to her surroundings. Yes, security, would be her passion and calling. Her first initial fear was trumped out by her faith, causing her to always tap into a key sense of awareness of her surroundings. She found herself always interested in court TV, Perry Mason, and different crime stories whenever she watched television. It was during this season God was birthing her calling.

 Dr. Wade graduated from Central Performing Arts High School and joined the Navy at eighteen. Her selected career in the Navy was as a cryptologist. A Cryptologist helps to decipher, analyze, and protect confidential and encrypted information. They assist and help law enforcement and other government agencies in solving crimes, security concerns, and other security threats. She served all over the world while in the Navy. Dr. Wade credits the renowned Carl Chinn, President of Faith Based Security Network in Colorado, for teaching her a lot and taking the time to mentor her. Dr. Wade shares that she took every opportunity to learn in this field. Not only has she acquired multiple certificates but a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a master’s in Criminal Justice, and in October 2022, a Doctorate in Management in Homeland Security. 

We realize this is a white male-dominated field in which Dr. Wade excelled in; before retiring after 20 years from the Navy, she accomplished a great deal of Success. In the Navy, her greatest accomplishment was to become a female African American Senior Chief IN THE United States Navy! This was a very hard accomplishment. Despite all her challenges, she excelled up to this rank. Always making her family proud of her. Never looking like the challenges she encountered, but always looking like the woman of the great faith she embodies.

After retirement, she ventured into corporate America as an industrial security specialist. Yolanda decided to move back to her hometown St. Louis MO; she is an industrial security manager for the Boeing Company. Amid her daughter’s transition, she has obtained her Doctorate from Colorado Technical University.  Maintained her grades and attendance and kept a full-time job demonstrating her faith in God and His presence with her. She is a testament that God is a strong tower where the righteous run in and are safe. Nobody but God could cause her to triumph with such victory.

Next, Dr. Yolanda “Yogie” Wade is starting her own Company. STAVA LLC. She is the founder and CEO.

The company will provide top-notch security training and vulnerability assessments to organizations (churches, businesses, schools, etc.) across the United States. The focus is to assess the current state of an organization to identify vulnerabilities and risks to harden facilities against evolving threats. “No time to rest,” she proclaims… God has called Dr. Yogie Wade for a time such as this and she is prepared, equipped, and ready.

Dr. Wade expresses, “She loves physical, industrial, and homeland security.” She understands the importance of her gift and calling. The responsibility God has given her she honors, and recognizes God has placed her in this position for His glory! She gives God all the honor and glory for all her accomplishments. Dr. Yolanda “Yogie” Wade is more than a Conqueror!