Launchpad Learning

Hi! My name is Isabella, and if you're here, you're probably curious about AI, machine learning, or maybe even entrepreneurship. Maybe you're a student thinking about diving into the world of tech, or maybe you're just someone interested in learning more about these exciting fields. Either way, I’m glad you stopped by because, like you, I was once in that same position—curious, excited, and a bit unsure of where to start.

I graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Data Science, focusing on business analytics. My journey with AI and machine learning began in college, but it wasn’t always that way. In high school, I had no exposure to coding, much less anything like machine learning. Honestly, I had no clue how much of an impact this technology would have on our world. It wasn’t until I got to college that I started to realize just how powerful these tools could be—and how fun they were to learn!

During one of my courses at Berkeley, I got the chance to take an idea from scratch and build it into a full-fledged business. I even got funding for it! It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life—starting from 0 to 1, navigating the challenges, learning on the go, and realizing, "Wow, I’m really doing this!" That’s when I knew that entrepreneurship and innovation were paths I wanted to keep exploring.

But my real passion grew from something else. While in college, I started teaching AI and machine learning to high schoolers. It was during these moments, sharing knowledge with students who were just starting their journeys, that I felt something click. These kids were getting exposed to the same things I wish I’d learned earlier in life, and watching them go from not knowing anything about the topic to confidently building their own projects was unbelievably fulfilling. That passion only grew as I continued to teach even after graduating, running summer courses at Bellarmine College Preparatory for high schoolers and middle schoolers.

There’s something incredibly powerful about watching young minds take something as complex as machine learning and make it their own. I think part of the reason I love it so much is that I see a bit of myself in these students—curious, eager to learn, and just needing the right resources to take off.

One of the things I care about most is being a role model, especially for young women. I didn’t have many female role models in STEM when I was growing up, and that’s something I’m passionate about changing. AI and machine learning can be intimidating at first glance, and being a woman in these fields can sometimes feel isolating. I hope that by sharing my journey, I can inspire more young women to step into these spaces and feel empowered to take on big challenges.

One of my favorite courses at Berkeley was on AI and Ethics. It opened my eyes to the bigger picture of technology—how AI isn’t just about algorithms and data, but about the impact it has on society. I make it a point to incorporate these discussions into my teaching because I believe it’s crucial for the next generation to not only build the tools of tomorrow but also think critically about how those tools are used.

So, whether you’re here to learn about machine learning, discuss ethical AI, or dive into the entrepreneurial side of things, I’m excited to have you on this journey with me. Let’s build something amazing together!