Check out all episodes of Leadership Launchpad here.
Episode 19: Eric Rosenstein
Founder of Cornerstone Strategy & Former AWS Global Services Leader
Eric Rosenstein has built his career at Microsoft and Amazon Web Services before launching his own consulting firm, Cornerstone Strategy. In this episode, he breaks down what consulting really looks like, the skills that set apart great advisors, and how students can start preparing now for a future in strategy and consulting.
Episode 18: Sarita Bhargava
Vice President Engagement at Freedom Forum
Marketing is more than ads, it is about connecting ideas with people. Sarita Bhargava has led campaigns for beloved shows like Curious George and Super WHY!, translating stories into strategies that reach millions. In this episode, she shares how marketing adapts to fast moving trends, the importance of connecting deeply with the audience, and the skills high school students should start building now if they want to pursue this career.
Episode 17: Carla Brooks
Director of Revenue Growth at PHI
Business development may sound abstract, but for Carla Brooks it’s about turning ideas into lasting partnerships. With over a decade of experience leading multimillion-dollar proposals and managing donor pipelines topping $100M, she shows how strategy and trust drive real growth. In this episode, Carla breaks down the skills behind successful pitches and collaboration, giving students a glimpse into how business development creates impact.
Episode 16: Tim Ito
Co-Founder of Marketing Nice Guys
Tim Ito proves that careers don’t always follow a straight line. Starting in journalism and later leading national marketing teams, he eventually launched his own agency, Marketing Nice Guys. For students curious about this path, Tim shares how you can figure out whether social media, content, or SEO is right for you, simple projects you can try in high school to get real experience, and why understanding digital marketing can give you a head start in almost any career.
Episode 15: Ella Dang
Co-Founder of The Fine Print Podcast
As a high school senior, Ella Dang shows that you don’t have to wait to make your voice heard. She co-founded The Fine Print Podcast to interview diplomats, professors, and policymakers, highlighting how government and business shape our everyday lives. In this episode, she shares what it’s like to reach out to leaders as a student, how she balances passion projects with school, and why understanding policy can give young entrepreneurs an edge.
Episode 14: Sarah Stiles
Professor of Social Entrepreneurship at Georgetown University
At Georgetown, Sarah Stiles has challenged students to see business not only as a path to profit but as a force for solving problems in their communities. Through courses on law, society, and social entrepreneurship, she has guided future leaders to think critically, take risks, and build with purpose. In this episode, she talks about what makes a social venture succeed, how to turn setbacks into growth, and why small mindset shifts can change the way students approach leadership.
Episode 13: Jaya Sharma
Principal Applications Engineer at Oracle
Jaya Sharma’s career spans from building complex software systems at Oracle to guiding students in the classroom as a longtime Kathak teacher. In this episode she shares the realities of leading projects in big tech, the unexpected ways her background in education shaped her approach to problem solving, and how students can prepare for a future where technology and business are inseparable.
Episode 12: Komal Vij
CS & AI Major at Stanford University
Komal Vij turned a high school idea into an international initiative and now studies AI at Stanford while leading projects across campus. In this episode, she shares what it takes to launch before you feel ready and how building along the way can open doors you never imagined. She also gives high school students a candid look at what it’s really like to balance academics, internships, and leadership opportunities in college.
Episode 11: Adiah Price-Tucker
Director of Programs at Civics Unplugged
The idea of civic innovation is spreading fast, but few understand what it looks like in action. As Director of Programs at Civics Unplugged, Adiah Price-Tucker brings that concept to life by creating spaces where young people step into leadership, build trust with one another, and learn how to turn bold ideas into real impact. In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, she shares how empathy can transform the way we lead and why making room for others to shine is one of the most powerful lessons students can carry into their own journeys.
Episode 10: Pablo Ortega
Dean of San Joaquin Delta Community College
Pablo Ortega has spent his career guiding students, from his early days as a counselor to his current role as dean of San Joaquin Delta College’s campus. In this episode, he shares how leadership in education means balancing vision with service, making tough decisions, and creating opportunities for others to grow. His journey shows students that the classroom may change, but the lessons of mentorship, courage, and community never lose their value.
Episode 9: Anuj Karmacharya
Assistant Director of Reporting & Analytics at Stanford University
Behind every big decision at a place like Stanford, there’s someone making sense of the data. Anuj Karmacharya has built his career doing just that, guiding projects from analytics to AI and mentoring teams along the way. In this episode, he shares how leaders turn information into insight, what skills matter most for students entering business and technology, and why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools you can bring to any role.
Episode 8: Bryan Harrison
Founder & Publisher of Mountain House Matters Community Newspaper
Learn what it takes to give a community its voice with Bryan Harrison, the founder and publisher behind Mountain House Matters. In this episode, he shares how local journalism can spark connection, how innovation fuels entrepreneurship, and how building trust creates impact that lasts. His journey shows students that real leadership grows from listening, resilience, and a commitment to community.
Episode 7: Tracey Ramirez
Senior IT Systems Analyst
Tracey Ramirez takes us inside the world of IT at Stanford, where every system update and process improvement keeps the university running smoothly. She shares her career trajectory from finance roles to senior analyst, why adaptability matters more than ever, and how strong communication can turn technology into a tool for leadership. For students, her story shows that jobs with a mix of IT and business fields aren’t just behind the scenes, they’re places to make a visible impact.
Episode 6: Rameen Rauf
HAAS Business Major at UC Berkeley
Rameen Rauf shares what it’s really like to be a business major, from the shift between high school and college courses to the skills and tools that help students succeed. She also talks about her involvement in campus clubs and leadership roles, and offers advice on preparing for a top program and making the most of college opportunities.
Episode 5: Vesna Siracevska
Assistant Director of Business Systems at Stanford University
Vesna Siracevska shares how she grew from finance into IT leadership, now overseeing business systems that support Stanford’s development and alumni programs. She reflects on mentoring, motivating teams, and breaking misconceptions about leadership, while showing students how blending tech with people-first leadership can turn challenges into opportunities.
Episode 4: Kerry Moquett
Business Teacher at MHHS & Adjunct Associate Professor at San Joaquin Delta College
With 26 years in the business world and experience teaching both high school and college students, Kerry Moquett offers a rare perspective on how business education connects to real careers. She reflects on the mentors that shaped her path, the leadership skills students must sharpen in an AI-driven era, and why networking and communication are as important as any degree.
Episode 3: Nirmala Balasubramanium
Senior Director of Analytics & Research at Stanford University
Nirmala reflects on how she grew from her first job into a senior leadership role, sharing lessons on managing people, building strong teams, and developing a business mindset early in her career. She gives an inside look at leading analytics and research at Stanford and offers practical advice on the skills and networking strategies students should start building now to succeed in data-driven fields.
Episode 2: Sourabha Mohapatra
IT Director at Stanford University
Sourabha shares how directing IT goes beyond maintaining systems—it requires leading teams, managing resources, and aligning technology with the university’s mission. He emphasizes adaptability as one of the most critical skills for future leaders, reflecting on how he’s applied it to navigate major industry shifts. Along the way, he offers insights into the business side of IT leadership, from strategy to lessons learned through challenges.
Episode 1 : Reshma Prabhu
Director of Enterprise Project Management at CA DHCS
Reshma shares how large government healthcare initiatives are planned and executed, what skills keep projects on track in high-stakes environments, and why adapting to new technologies and reforms is critical in public health. She connects these lessons to core business skills like leadership, strategy, and stakeholder management, offering advice for students aspiring to make an impact.