In 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 and student-centered education

Fresh research on gender disparity in tech across Latin America

Maternity penalties, equal pay, and the systems that still need to evolve

What real solutions could look like for working moms and future leaders

Whether you're a founder, a learner, or figuring it all out — this episode is full of honesty, insight, and purpose.

In 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 mentoring (including Code2College interns!), Staci talks favorite projects — including building a student-run call center with St. Jude and LeMoyne-Owen College — and offers practical advice on putting in the work to get what you want.

This episode is a masterclass in grit, growth, and redefining success on your own terms.

What 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 those insights to back exceptional founders at Moonshots Capital.

This is a conversation about purpose, grit, and the power of leading with love — whether in uniform or in business.

We talk about:

Expectations vs. reality in the military

Leadership that starts with heart

Navigating transitions and reinvention

What he looks for in the founders he invests in

The advice he’d give to his 8-year-old self

If you've ever wondered how to turn discipline into compassion, and success into service — this one’s for you.

In 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 our rapidly changing world. Tune in for a masterclass on innovation, equity, and the future of education.

This 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 how nature keeps her grounded!

In 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 a lifeline for others in the same boat. They also talk about the value of networks, making "only new mistakes," and what it really means to support a community in transition.

Whether you're hiring, job hunting, or just trying to keep up in tech—this episode has something for you.

🔗 Mentioned: OnlyNewMistakes.com

In 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 through classes, content, and confidence-building.

With three kids at home and a mission to make AI accessible, Sarah talks with Keira about the realities of tech, parenting, and the future of empowered motherhood.

Whether you're tech-curious, raising kids, or just wondering how AI fits into everyday life, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

What 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 just need a dose of real talk and inspiration, this one’s for you.

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.

In 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 take. Don’t miss this empowering conversation about ambition, resilience, and reaching for the stars!