Shows
From Failure to LaunchEpisode 18: Learning by Doing: Gabriela Rocha on Redefining Education, Leadership & the Future of WorkIn this episode of From Failure to Launch, Keira sits down with Gabriela Rocha, cofounder of Laboratoria, to explore her winding journey across continents, languages, and industries — and how she’s helping reshape the future of tech for women across Latin America.
From growing up in Brazil and Los Angeles to co-founding a movement that empowers women from underserved communities to launch tech careers, Gabriela opens up about:
Why she never had a "5-year plan" — and why that’s okay
Building Laboratoria from the ground up
Her belief in learning by doing an...2025-07-2255 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 17: From Print Shops to Product Teams: Staci Brookover’s Unconventional ClimbIn this inspiring episode of From Failure to Launch, host Keira sits down with her own manager, Staci Brookover, a Project Manager at YETI, whose unconventional journey is anything but ordinary.
Staci shares how she went from barista to daycare worker to spending a decade in printing — climbing from receptionist to production manager — before launching herself into the tech world. Now a seasoned Program Manager at YETI, Staci opens up about leading digital product teams without a college degree, marketing yourself online, and the power of setting clear goals.
With infectious energy and a love for...2025-07-1547 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 16: Lead With Love: From Battlefield Intelligence to Bold Investments with Craig CummingsWhat happens when a decorated Army intelligence officer, Truman Scholar, and PhD becomes a venture capitalist? You get Craig Cummings — a man whose entire journey has been shaped by leadership, heart, and a deep commitment to service.
In this episode, Craig sits down with Keira to share stories from his time at West Point and 17 years in the military, including how he helped bring the first cellular network to the battlefield. He opens up about meeting his wife at the Truman Scholarship ceremony, the lessons he learned from both leading and following, and how he now uses th...2025-07-0847 min
From Failure to LaunchEpisode 15: Redefining Education, Equity, and Innovation with Jeff LivingstonIn this immensely anticipated episode of From Failure to Launch, Keira sits down with Jeff Livingston, CEO of EdSolutions and Co-Founder of the Center for Education Market Dynamics (CEMD). Jeff shares his journey from revolutionizing textbooks at McGraw Hill to helping nonprofits and positive-impact organizations reshape education today.
Renowned for his ability to spot talent and his belief in lifelong learning, Jeff dives into why staying on the technological frontier is essential for creating equal opportunities. They also explore the intersection of cultural heritage and access to opportunity, offering insights on how education leaders can adapt to...2025-07-011h 00
From Failure to LaunchEpisode 14: Teaching, Tech & Trust with Kali PeracchiaThis week on From Failure to Launch, Keira sits down with Kali Peracchia—AI Instructional Specialist for Denver Public Schools, middle school educator, and PhD candidate at the University of Denver—to explore the intersection of technology, equity, and education. From tackling teacher turnover to building a thriving professional learning community, Kali challenges the scarcity mindset in schools and shares how culturally relevant pedagogy and AI can work hand-in-hand. Tune in for a conversation about reimagining what's possible in the classroom—and what it takes to sustain educators in the process.
Bonus: We also talk hiking, biking, and ho...2025-06-2450 min
From Failure to LaunchEpisode 13: RC Johnson on Smart Hiring, Staying Relevant, and Supporting the UnemployedIn this episode, Keira sits down with RC Johnson—Founder of Simple and Done, former Engineering Director and CTO, and one of the most prolific interviewers during his time at Indeed. With over 2,000 interviews under his belt, RC shares what he looks for in great engineers (hint: it’s all about ownership), why technical interviews should be more quantitative, and how he’s constantly evolving to stay current in tech.
But the conversation goes deeper. RC opens up about navigating unemployment, the emotional and professional toll it can take, and how he built a weekly newsletter that became...2025-06-1756 min
From Failure to LaunchEpisode 12: From Boardroom to Playroom: How Sarah Dooley Empowers Moms with AIIn this episode, Keira sits down with Sarah Dooley, the mom behind AI-Empowered Moms. Sarah shares her fascinating journey—from her roots in marketing research to earning her MBA at the University of Texas, and then diving into customer strategy at EY, where she discovered her passion for technology consulting.
After leading digital transformation efforts at Waste Management, Sarah joined a generative AI team at VISA, where she focused on using AI to boost employee productivity. Now, she’s channeling her expertise into AI-Empowered Moms, a platform and community helping moms embrace the power of generative AI thro...2025-06-1050 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 11: From Biomedical Engineering to Big Data: Claire Matthews on Mentorship, Mistakes, and Making Your Own PathWhat does it take to go from a college grad with no internships to a Senior Data Scientist at one of the coolest brands out there? In this episode, Kiera chats with Claire Matthews of YETI—who’s also Code2College’s Vision 2024 Mentor of the Year—about her unexpected journey into data science, her biggest career lessons, and what drives her to mentor the next generation of women in STEM. Claire shares why advocating for yourself matters, how to push through self-doubt, and the advice she wishes she had while still in school. If you're figuring out your path or...2025-05-0646 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 10: Trey Briggs on Growth, Leadership and "Embracing Sweaty Palms"Keira sits down with Trey Briggs, Director of Engineering at Udemy, to explore his 4-year journey at the company and his philosophy of continuous growth. Trey shares insights on transitioning from startups to larger corporations, troubleshooting workplace challenges across departments, and embracing the thrill of trying new things—even when it makes your palms sweat.
He discusses the platforms he’s worked on, the importance of being intentional about learning, and why striving for new opportunities keeps you sharp. This episode is packed with wisdom on leadership, adaptability, and the mindset needed to never stop learning.
2025-04-2953 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 9: Reaching for the Stars with Jade Morgan: Journey to a NASA InternshipIn this lighthearted episode, we sit down with Jade Morgan, a Junior at UT Austin studying Electrical and Computer Engineering and currently interning at NASA. Jade shares her love for math, her journey navigating the challenges of transitioning from high school to college, and the importance of building a supportive community.
Jade talks about her appreciation for her female STEM mentor, the value of self-belief, and why you should never compare yourself to others. Plus, Jade gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her NASA internship and reminds us all why you miss 100% of the shots you don’t...2025-04-2250 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 8: Making Mistakes and Gaining Perspectives with Radney WoodRadney Wood — lawyer, entrepreneur, and seasoned world traveler — joins us to reflect on two decades in the legal field and a lifetime of lessons. One of six kids raised with little but surrounded by love, Radney shares how grit, curiosity, and humility shaped his path to success.
In this episode, we talk about learning through mistakes, gaining perspective with time, and the value of being open to new experiences. Radney gets real about how he chooses to spend his time, the importance of being intentional with relationships, and why when it comes to building something meaningful, the goal...2025-04-1451 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 7: Brandi Beasley on Patience, Intentions and PurposeIn this episode, we sit down with Brandi Beasley — principal consultant, operator, and former higher education and talent acquisition leader — to talk about what it really takes to grow and sustain a business from the inside out. Brandi shares her journey from higher education to people ops to advising small businesses and scaling startups, bringing wisdom and warmth to the conversation.
We dive into the power of patience, the importance of asking for feedback, how to identify your blindspots before they block you, and why the people around you might just be your greatest untapped resource. This epis...2025-04-0746 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 6: Growth, Grit, and Giving Back with Sandy MathewsKiera chats with Sandy Mathews, a seasoned tech industry professional with 15 years of experience at Microsoft, Deloitte, and AWS. Sandy shares how each role built on the last, shaping her ability to navigate ambiguity, advocate for herself, and embrace lifelong learning. As a former software development course instructor and mentor at Code2College, she also highlights the power of mentorship, representation, and giving back to the next generation of tech leaders. From handling setbacks to finding confidence in the unknown, Sandy’s journey is filled with insights for anyone looking to grow in their career. Tune in for an in...2025-04-0153 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 5: Sapphire Hunter on Growth, Vulnerability, and Breaking BarriersIn this inspiring episode, Keira catches up with Sapphire Hunter, a Code2College alum and Northwestern University student majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Legal Studies. Sapphire reflects on her journey from a Code2College high school student to navigating college classes and the professional world, including her internship with Keira at Yeti last summer.
Their conversation dives deep into the themes of:
✨ Embracing the power of vulnerability to unlock growth.
✨ Learning to be okay with failure and its role in success.
✨ Seeing the transformative impact of representation in tech and beyon...2025-03-2555 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 4: Mentorship, Marketing Yourself, and Embracing Imperfection with Seth WeissIn this episode, Keira sits down with Seth Weiss, software engineer at Yeti and 2x Mentor of the Year nominee for the Code2College IDEA Awards, to explore the intersection of technical talent and people skills. As Keira's mentor during her summer internship at Yeti, Seth shares insights on the importance of perception, marketing your personal brand, and how vulnerability can break through the illusion of perfection in the workplace. Discover Seth's unique mentoring philosophy—learning as much from mentees as they do from him—and how it shapes his approach to building authentic connections.
2025-03-1856 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 3: From Engineer to Mentor: Kevin Nguyen’s Leadership JourneyJoin us as we sit down with Kevin Nguyen, Senior Manager of Platform Development Engineering at Cirrus Logic and Mentor of the Year nominee for the 5th Annual Code2College IDEA Awards. Kevin shares his inspiring journey from engineer to manager, the skills that make a great leader, and his philosophy of building a strong foundation early in your career to enjoy the rewards of a more balanced and fulfilling life later on. Discover the value of collaboration, the art of mentorship, and the keys to shaping the future you envision.
2025-03-0456 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 2: Building Confidence and Embracing Challenges with Melissa GranadosJoin us as we sit down with Melissa Granados, Director of Administration and Facilities at FloSports, to discuss her incredible 10-year journey with the company. In this inspiring episode, Melissa shares her insights on building confidence in the workplace, the power of believing in yourself, and why saying "yes" to new challenges can transform your career. She also highlights the vital role of teamwork in achieving success. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, Melissa's story will leave you motivated to tackle your next big challenge with confidence and purpose.
2025-02-2549 minFrom Failure to LaunchEpisode 1: Mentorship, Resilience, and Growth with Kamilla YunusovaIn this inaugural episode of From Failure to Launch, Kamilla Yunusova, a senior product manager at RBCx, shares her remarkable journey from making her mark at OJO Labs and IBM to co-founding the nonprofit Rise First. Kamilla opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, the power of mentorship, and the lessons she's learned through failure and success. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, personal growth, and charting your own path in life and work.
2025-02-2442 min