Founder's Focus

In this episode of the Founder’s Focus podcast, Karen Smith, the founding National Executive Director, and Lisa M. Chambers, the current CEO, reflect on 30 years of expanding access to technology education. They discuss the organization’s evolution, from overcoming early challenges to launching impactful programs like Cyber Ed and Web Teacher. As they look ahead, they share their vision for continued growth through partnerships and emerging technologies. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of tech education!

This year marks the 30th anniversary of TECH CORPS, and we’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone by kicking off Season 4 of the Founder’s Focus Podcast with Episode 1: Inspired to Innovate: The TECH CORPS Origin Story. In this episode, you’ll hear directly from TECH CORPS founder Gary Beach as he shares details about how the nonprofit began. Join us as TECH CORPS alumna Marjorie Mendez interviews Gary, uncovering the inspiring journey that led to the organization’s creation. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this trip down memory lane!

Welcome to Founder's Focus! Host Gary Beach and Jama Cobb, Work-Based Learning Coordinator for the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, discuss alternative pathways to tech careers. They explore career-connected programs, student interest, employer biases, and the growing role of career technical education in Ohio. Plus, hear about a workforce boot camp designed to equip educators with insights on career-connected learning.  

Welcome to an electrifying new season of the Founder's Focus podcast! Join our host, Gary Beach, the founder of TECH CORPS, to bring you another insightful conversation. Gary dives deep into the tech world with Marjorie Mendez, a distinguished TECH CORPS alum and Nationwide Senior Technology Analyst. Together, they explore Marjorie's fascinating journey into the realm of technology. Listen in as Marjorie shares her experiences, shedding light on the challenges she encountered and triumphed over in a predominantly male-driven industry. Discover how she defied the odds and proudly stands among the 8% of Hispanics shaping the landscape of technology careers today. So, whether you're a seasoned tech enthusiast or simply curious about the journey of underrepresented voices in the industry, this episode promises to be both enlightening and inspiring. Tune in, engage, and let's embark on this enlightening journey together. Welcome to the Founder's Focus podcast.

As part of In-Demand Jobs Week, TECH CORPS hosted a roundtable conversation bringing together state government leaders, including Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Development Director Lydia Mihalik, alongside TECH CORPS alumni, students, and business partners. The roundtable focused on the challenges and solutions facing individuals who will fill those in-demand tech jobs.    

Our focus today is International Women's Day. A day to acknowledge and honor women around the world for the the contributions they make each day to society.    In the spirit of International Women's Day, I thought it would be fitting to introduce you to one of our TECH CORPS team members who will be our guest host.  Brenda Miller is TECH CORPS’ Communication and Marketing Specialists. She will be talking with a longtime TECH CORPS partner and educator, Deborah Maldonado.

Founder’s Focus Podcast is kicking off its second season! TECH CORPS Founder Gary Beach has a candid conversation with Microsoft’s Former Chair and Lead Independent director … John W. Thompson. Listen along as they discuss corporate America’s responsibility to prepare K-12 students to fill the technology gap and more!

Representatives from Hyland Software, Inc. and TECH CORPS discuss their technology education partnership. They share insights about how developing a meaningful strategy can impact students and corporations!

Welcome to Episode 5 of Founder’s Focus. TECH CORPS is preparing to host its annual TECHCORPShack on Saturday, November 6, 2021, in Akron, Columbus and Zanesville, Ohio. Students from all over the state will come together to learn how to program and build a mobile app in a nurturing and fun environment as they compete for prizes. Today we are speaking with Kyle Parker, founder of ClipDart, an on-demand barber app for those with minority hair textures. We hope his story will not only inspire our students, but anyone who sees a community need and believes a mobile app could help meet that need.

In the final episode of our three-part series, TECH CORPS founder Gary Beach discusses corporate America's role in creating a more diverse technology workforce with Kim Snipes, EVP, CIO Consumer and Digital, KeyBank. "Retention is about investing," explained Snipes, "At KeyBank, we're tapping into a diverse population we already have and giving them opportunities in technology."

Let's explore Part 2 of "What is Corporate America's role in creating a more diverse tech workforce?" TECH CORPS Founder Gary Beach discusses this question with State Auto Insurance Chief Information and Strategy Officer Greg Tacchetti.  

What is Corporate America's role in creating a more diverse tech workforce? TECH CORPS Founder Gary Beach explores this question with three industry professionals who share their vision along with actionable steps to achieve a more diverse tech workforce. Join us for the journey as we begin with Jermaine Henson, Vice President, Software Development Services at Nationwide.

Welcome to the inaugural Founder's Focus Podcast. TECH CORPS founder, Gary Beach introduces us to Remesi Perez and Kasey Wilson two former TECH CORPS students who are pursuing their technology career dreams. Learn what steps they took to navigate the technology pipeline and what they have learned about themselves along the way.