From Failure to Launch

S3E6: From Curiosity to Ownership: Turning Data Projects into Real Impact

In Season 3, Episode 6 of From Failure to Launch, host Keira Johnson sits down with Alexandra Hoffpauir, Data Warehouse and Marketing Technology Manager at YETI, and Code2College intern Dagem Abraham. Together, they unpack what it truly means to own a project, not just complete assigned tasks. Dagem shares how sourcing data, collaborating across multiple teams, and ultimately building his own project pushed him to develop strong prioritization skills while balancing curiosity and exploration with real business needs. Alexandra offers insight into YETI’s collaborative culture, what it looks like to fully integrate interns into the team, and why trusting early-career talent leads to meaningful results. The episode highlights how hands-on experience, mentorship, and ownership can transform an internship into a launchpad for long-term success.

S3E5: Expectations Exceeded: Discovering Cybersecurity Talent from Day One

In Season 3, Episode 5 of From Failure to Launch, host Keira Johnson sits down with Code2College intern Krish Patel and his summer manager Mark Berry, Director of Cybersecurity at Crosslake Technologies. They reflect on a summer that exceeded expectations for everyone involved. Krish shares how the internship sparked a genuine interest in cybersecurity and reshaped his career goals, while Mark highlights how Krish and his fellow interns quickly made meaningful contributions. The episode closes with the interns’ final presentation, earning a standing ovation and proving what’s possible when early-career talent is trusted with real responsibility.

S3E4: Raising the Bar: Cybersecurity, AI, and Early-Career Talent at Crosslake Technologies

In Season 3, Episode 4 of From Failure to Launch, host Keira Johnson sits down with Code2College intern Jawaad Merali and his summer manager, Mark Berry, Director of Cybersecurity at Crosslake Technologies. Together, they share how a summer of rapid learning, hands-on projects, and strong mentorship helped Jawaad, now a college freshman, grow confidently into the world of cybersecurity. Jawaad describes arriving eager but unsure, quickly diving into intensive security training and AI development. Mark highlights how Jawaad and fellow intern Krish exceeded expectations from day one by bringing curiosity, strong technical foundations, and fresh ideas to a complex challenge: automating parts of Crosslake’s cybersecurity maturity assessment process. Their work streamlined evidence validation for portfolio companies and showed how early-career interns, when supported and encouraged, can make a meaningful impact on real-world cybersecurity and AI initiatives.

S3E3: Stepping In Strong: Real-World Coding, Support, and Growth at Texas Mutual

In this episode of From Failure to Launch, host Keira Johnson sits down with Veda Rabishankar, a Code2College high school summer intern who worked in IT Digital Communications at Texas Mutual, and her summer manager, Mike Vuong, Senior Engineering Manager at Texas Mutual. Together, they explore Veda’s journey from classroom programming to contributing to real-world projects, what it’s like applying new skills in a professional setting, and how she tackled early nerves with Mike’s support. They dive into the power of thoughtful mentorship, stepping into unfamiliar environments, and the experiences that build confidence and spark a future in tech before a career even begins.

S3E2: Breaking the Ice: Mentorship, Growth, and Finding Confidence at YETI

In this episode of From Failure to Launch, host Keira Johnson sits down with Olivia Cruz, a Code2College high school summer intern at YETI, and Chris Chafin, Web Developer II at YETI and Olivia’s summer manager. Together, they share what it’s like navigating new environments, building confidence, and learning through real-world projects. They dive into what makes great mentorship, how to grow beyond your comfort zone, and the lessons that can shape a career before it even begins.

S3E1: From Code2College to Career Dreams: Zephan Ofori’s Summer at Indeed

Season 3 of From Failure to Launch kicks off with a special spotlight on our summer interns!
In this episode, host Keira sits down with high school intern Zephan Ofori, who just completed his Code2College internship at Indeed, along with his summer manager Laurie. Together, they reflect on the projects they tackled, the lessons learned along the way, and how programs like Code2College open doors for young talent. Zephan also shares his big-picture goals for the future, giving us a glimpse into the next generation of tech innovators.

S2E9: From Uncertainty to Impact: Building Community with Allegra Armas

When Allegra Armas graduated from college, she didn’t have a clear path forward—and she felt like she was already falling behind. But over the past decade, she’s carved out a career rooted in community impact, from connecting fans through sports at the Oakland A’s to driving social impact initiatives at Roku.
In this episode, Keira and Allegra talk about the messy reality of navigating those first jobs, why it’s okay not to have it all figured out at 22, and how to keep your passions alive while climbing the career ladder. Allegra shares her journey of finding purpose in the workplace, her proudest moments at Roku (including building their student app design challenge), and why everything really does happen for a reason.
Whether you’re just starting out or rethinking your next step, this conversation is a reminder that “failure to launch” is just the beginning of the story.

S2E8: Failing Fast: Kerry Rupp on Venture Capital, Startups & Stepping Stones

In this episode of From Failure to Launch, host Keira sits down with Kerry Rupp, General Partner at True Wealth Ventures and one of only two women GPs in a venture capital fund in Texas. Kerry’s career path has been anything but linear — from consulting at Accenture and McKinsey, to joining (and leading) multiple startups, to serving as CEO of DreamIt, a Top Ten US accelerator and VC fund. Along the way, she’s held almost every leadership role imaginable and built a reputation as a champion for women-led businesses that are improving human and environmental health.
Kerry shares:
Why leaving McKinsey was one of her best career decisions 
The lessons she learned taking on countless startup roles 
How “failing fast” shaped her mindset as both an entrepreneur and investor 
What it’s like breaking barriers as a woman in venture capital 
Her journey is a testament to rethinking failure — not as an ending, but as a stepping stone to growth, leadership, and impact.
#FailureToLaunch #Podcast #VentureCapital #WomenInBusiness #Leadership

S2E7: Blue Sky Beginnings: Monica Grant Cohen on Purpose, Resilience, and Redefining Access

In this powerful “From Failure to Launch” episode, host Keira sits down with Monica Grant Cohen, whose journey from a low-income, single-parent household to becoming a leader in philanthropy is nothing short of inspiring. As the eldest daughter who lost her father at age six, Monica shares how her mother’s unwavering strength shaped her—and why she honored her mom by adding her mother’s middle name to her college diploma.
A first-generation college graduate who set out to be a guidance counselor, Monica’s path expanded to higher education, nonprofit innovation, and now community investment at DRW. She talks about her “Blue Sky Thinking” approach, the externship program she built from two employers to over fifteen, and her work tackling both headline-making and quiet crises. Along the way, Monica opens up about imposter syndrome, the realities of real access, and the deep influence of her mother on the woman she is today.

S2E6: Soil, Solar & Second Chances: Cameryn Burnette’s Path to Purpose

In this episode of From Failure to Launch, host Keira sits down with Cameryn Burnette — a PhD candidate at MIT in Material Science for Sustainable Development, Howard University alumna, Schwarzman Scholar, and Special Projects Manager at Energicity.
Cameryn opens up about the moments that shaped her: from growing up amidst environmental disasters that ignited her passion for sustainability, to feeling like a failure after college with no plans lined up. Just one month later, she found herself working with Energicity, bringing solar microgrids to rural communities in West Africa.
They explore her groundbreaking research in soil bacteria preservation at MIT, the reality behind international development work, and the importance of dismantling the “savior complex” often projected onto third-world countries. Cameryn also shares her deep pride in her HBCU roots, her founding of the Howard University Water Environment Association, and how she stays grounded through every success and setback.
Her story is a call to action — to use engineering for the good of humanity, to lean on community, and to face hard challenges with resilience and curiosity.
💡 Call to Action: Tackle the hard stuff. Together. And never stop learning.