Dannyelle Austin and Lisa Richardson On Catalyze: A Career-Connected Community of Practice
Key Points
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Schools can enhance career-connected learning by partnering with organizations like Launchpad, which provides resources and expertise that schools may lack.
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Programs like Launchpad prepare students for evolving tech landscapes, ensuring they learn both foundational skills and how to utilize AI effectively.

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In today’s episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we’re diving into the transformative world of career-connected learning with two pioneers leading the charge. Joining us are Dannyelle Austin, the executive director at Launchpad, and Lisa Richardson, the project lead of Catalyze. Catalyze is dedicated to reshaping how students interact with potential career pathways by fostering a community of practice that connects educational innovation with real-world career opportunities. Since its inception, it has awarded over $14 million to numerous organizations, impacting over 65,000 students nationwide. This initiative empowers students by enhancing their agency and readiness for future careers, particularly in tech, through innovative programs like Launchpad.
Launchpad stands out as a beacon of opportunity, particularly for students from traditionally underrepresented groups, by offering accelerated pathways into high-paying tech careers while still in high school. Under Dannyelle’s leadership, Launchpad not only provides technical skills training in areas like Python and AI but also supports students with financial incentives and college credit opportunities to ensure they can thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. Together, Catalyze and Launchpad exemplify how strategic partnerships and a focus on learner agency can redefine educational outcomes, preparing students not just for their first job but for a lifetime of career evolution and success.
Outline
- (00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome
- (00:18) Understanding Catalyze: Mission and Impact
- (03:26) Spotlight on Launchpad: Mission and Approach
- (11:34) Student Experiences and Success Stories
- (19:22) Future Directions and Advice for Educators
- (27:15) Student Perspectives: Voices from the Program
Introduction and Overview
Shawnee Caruthers: Today, we’re joined by Dannyelle Austin, Executive Director of Launchpad, and Lisa Richardson, the Project Lead of Catalyze. Thanks for joining us today on the podcast.
Understanding Catalyze: Mission and Impact
Shawnee Caruthers: Lisa, I want to start with you. What is Catalyze?
Lisa Richardson: It’s a great question. Catalyze is really focused on jump-starting and accelerating innovation in career-connected learning. We are a program that emphasizes three key initiatives.
First, we focus on grant funding. We run an open challenge where we look for innovative programs in the field and then provide funding to them. Second, we’re focused on learning from these organizations. We’re proud to have one of the largest communities of practice in career-connected learning, bringing these organizations together to learn from one another and to connect. This also allows us to gain insights from their work.
Finally, we like to share stories and think about what we can contribute to transform the field and accelerate impact—not only within individual communities but across the broader education landscape. It’s really exciting to be here and feature one of our amazing grantees, Launchpad.
Shawnee Caruthers: That’s fantastic. We’ll hear from Dannyelle in just a moment to learn more about the great work that Launchpad is doing. But before that, Lisa, as you think about your unique approach to introducing young people to career pathways, can you walk us through what that approach looks like?
Lisa Richardson: Absolutely. Since 2021, Catalyze has awarded over $14 million to 60 organizations. One of our priorities is to learn from these organizations because career-connected learning takes many forms. We’ve identified learner agency as a key pillar across all career-connected learning experiences. It’s about equipping learners to navigate the diverse career and education pathways available to them.
Research shows how transformative these experiences are for young people, especially for their economic and social mobility. For example, over 70% of learners in Catalyze programs report an increased ability to navigate their careers. By comparison, a national study by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation found that only 29% of students feel their schools provide these opportunities. That’s a significant gap, and it highlights the impact of our grantees’ work.
Spotlight on Launchpad: Mission and Approach
Shawnee Caruthers: Let’s bring in Dannyelle from Launchpad, one of Catalyze’s phenomenal grantees. Dannyelle, can you tell us more about Launchpad?
Dannyelle Austin: Absolutely. Thank you for having me! I’m always excited to talk about Launchpad. Our mission is to create accelerated pathways for young people while they’re still in high school, leading to high-paying technology careers. Our vision is to ensure young people thrive in an economy that works for them, supports them, and invests in their skills and futures.
Launchpad operates as a two-and-a-half-year program for students in the 11th or 12th grade. We partner with high schools across Philadelphia, creating opportunities for students from over 30 different schools. Many schools lack the resources to build these kinds of meaningful pathways, so we step in to fill that gap.
It’s a learn-and-earn program. All of our training is conducted in person, and students can earn up to $18,000 over the course of the program. This allows them to support themselves and their families while building both technical and durable skills. Our curriculum covers Python, coding, problem-solving, artificial intelligence, and more. It’s competency-based and designed to prepare students for college or a career.
Shawnee Caruthers: I believe students can also earn college credits through the program. Is that correct?
Dannyelle Austin: Yes, absolutely. We’ve partnered with Harrisburg University and Arizona State University to award college credits for the work our students do. Before graduating high school, they can earn credits in programming, communication, and internships, giving them a head start if they decide to pursue a degree.
Shawnee Caruthers: That’s wonderful. And I love how you highlighted Launchpad’s mission—to prepare students from traditionally underrepresented groups for successful careers in tech. What inspired the creation of this program?
Dannyelle Austin: I grew up in Philadelphia and have a lot of family here. When I visit high schools, I often share my story. When I was younger, I wanted to be a hairdresser, but my mom insisted I go to college because, in her mind, it was the only way out of poverty. She had been doing hair herself, and we struggled financially. For her, college represented a path to stability.
Today, many young people don’t see college as the only option—or the right option—for them. There’s so much data now about the return on investment of a degree, and many students are questioning whether it’s worth it. Unfortunately, without viable alternatives, many who skip college end up in low-wage jobs and stuck in cycles of poverty.
Launchpad was created to ensure that students in their 11th and 12th-grade years have access to career pathways that lead to high-paying jobs. We aim for graduates to secure jobs earning a minimum of $50,000 annually. Our program offers a solid alternative for students who may not want to go to college but still want a meaningful and sustainable career in tech.
We’re also in classrooms delivering a different message to students who hear constant reminders about college applications and SAT prep. We say, “If you’re not sure what you want to do, but you love tech or want an alternative pathway, here’s an option for you.”
Shawnee Caruthers: Lisa, I can see from your expression how proud you are of Launchpad. Is this story representative of other Catalyze grantees?
Lisa Richardson: Absolutely. I’m smiling because it’s inspiring to hear about the impact of Launchpad. I spent the first 10 years of my career as a teacher and principal, during a time when “college for all” was the prevailing narrative. Four or five years ago, if someone had approached me about career-connected learning, I might have dismissed it, thinking my middle schoolers were on a path to college.
But as I’ve seen through Catalyze, it’s about giving students agency—helping them understand their options and make informed choices. It’s not about steering them away from college but giving them a clearer picture of what’s possible. Some students will decide college is necessary for their goals, while others will see alternative pathways that work for them. It’s about making the future tangible and meaningful.
I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing grantees, many of whom started as educators. They’ve experienced firsthand the challenges students face and have built programs to address those gaps. It’s exciting to see how these programs resonate with students, especially Gen Z, who want to understand the “why” behind their learning and connect it to real-world outcomes.
Shawnee Caruthers: That connection to student agency is so important. Dannyelle, for students who join Launchpad, what key milestones or experiences shape their journey?
Dannyelle Austin: Great question. One significant milestone is the college credit students earn through our program. For example, students complete 200 hours of Python coding instruction, earning six college credits in programming. By the time they graduate high school, they may have up to 15 college credits, along with an industry certification from the Python Institute.
We also emphasize industry exposure and mentorship. Students meet professionals from tech companies, participate in internships, and engage in authentic projects. For instance, one student used Python to create a neighborhood school finder map to help families locate their designated schools. Another group developed a grocery app to find the lowest-cost items in local stores—a project they pitched in our summer competition.
Beyond technical skills, students learn to identify problems they care about and use technology to address them. For example, one cohort focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech. They published an article with recommendations for tech companies, including paid sabbaticals and work-from-home stipends for young professionals from underrepresented backgrounds.
Ultimately, these experiences help students build a portfolio of meaningful work, preparing them for careers where they can earn $50,000 or more annually.
Shawnee Caruthers: That’s incredible. I love how your students are not only gaining technical skills but also becoming changemakers in their communities.
Preparing Students for a Shifting Technological Landscape
Shawnee Caruthers: Dannyelle as technology evolves—especially with AI becoming more integrated into our lives—how do you prepare students for an unknown future?
Dannyelle Austin: That’s a huge question. A while ago, I was at a high school for a recruitment event, and I realized they’d blocked ChatGPT. It struck me how unprepared we are for the future if we’re avoiding AI altogether. Schools need to teach students how to use AI effectively—not just avoid it. AI is here to stay, and students need to learn how to leverage it for productivity and impact.
For Launchpad, the goal is to integrate AI into everything we do. Students learn coding both with and without AI tools, so they understand the foundations and how to use AI to accelerate their work. Beyond tech skills, we teach students to apply AI in practical ways—like writing resumes or identifying transferable skills from everyday jobs.
To stay current, we maintain strong industry partnerships and continually update our curriculum based on feedback from employers and tech leaders. We’re also teaching students how to adapt to change, learn new skills, and stay resilient in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Shawnee Caruthers: You’re teaching them how to become lifelong learners. That’s such a critical skill. Lisa, how does all this data and feedback from grantees shape the future of Catalyze?
Lisa Richardson: It’s a lifelong process. We’re not just focused on helping students land a great first job but equipping them to reinvent themselves throughout their careers. Today’s learners may have four or five different careers, not just jobs, so we’re thinking about the transferable skills they’ll need for a lifetime of change.
Looking ahead, Catalyze is shifting from piloting new initiatives to scaling proven models. Our next round of funding will focus on expanding programs like Launchpad to serve more students and communities. It’s about making these experiences accessible to thousands, not just dozens.
Future Directions and Advice for Educators
Shawnee Caruthers: Lisa, with all the data and testimonials you’re collecting from grantees, how does that help shape Catalyze’s growth? Where do you see the program going in the future?
Lisa Richardson: We see this as a lifelong process. If we reflect on our own careers as adults, most of us aren’t in the same first job we started with—we’ve likely pivoted multiple times. So, it’s not just about helping students land a great first job but equipping them with the skills to reinvent themselves over time. Research shows today’s learners may have four or five different careers, not just jobs, throughout their lives. That’s why transferable skills are so important.
Looking ahead, Catalyze is shifting its focus. In our earlier rounds of funding, we emphasized jump-starting new initiatives, like Launchpad, and testing pilot programs. Now, we’re transitioning to scaling proven models. Later this year, we’ll announce the winners of our latest round of funding, which will prioritize programs that have demonstrated success and are ready to scale.
It’s about making these opportunities more accessible to larger cohorts—going from serving 30 students to hundreds or even thousands. Launchpad is a perfect example of what we aim to achieve: starting small, proving impact, and then expanding to meet the demand in the field.
Shawnee Caruthers: That’s exciting. Dannyelle, what’s next for Launchpad?
Dannyelle Austin: We’re currently recruiting for our third cohort of young people—100 students who will start in January. It’s always exciting to welcome new learners into the program.
Looking ahead, we’re exploring ways to expand beyond technology career pathways and the Philadelphia area. When we visit high schools, many students say, “I’m interested in career-connected learning, but tech isn’t for me.” They don’t see coding as part of their future. That’s an opportunity for us to develop new pipelines for students interested in other fields.
We also believe our model can succeed in other communities. Many workforce development or technology training bootcamps wait until young people are disconnected from school and work to intervene. We want to provide these resources while students are still in high school, at a point where they’re exploring their next steps. Launchpad has the potential to expand into new cities and industries, reaching even more students.
Shawnee Caruthers: As we wrap up, I’d love to leave our listeners—many of whom are education leaders—with actionable advice. What can they do to better integrate career-connected learning into their schools and districts? Dannyelle, let’s start with you.
Dannyelle Austin: My biggest piece of advice is to find partnerships. Having worked in traditional educational spaces before, I know how challenging it is for schools to do it all. Schools often don’t have the resources, time, or capacity to offer everything students need. That’s where partnerships come in.
Look for innovative career-connected learning programs and organizations in your community. Collaborate with them to bring those opportunities to your students. You don’t have to create these programs from scratch or hire additional staff—it’s about bridging the gap and integrating existing resources into your schools. Partnerships have been critical to Launchpad’s success, and they can make a huge difference for other schools too.
Shawnee Caruthers: Lisa, what advice would you add?
Lisa Richardson: I completely agree with Dannyelle—partnerships are key. Whether it’s with schools, employers, or community organizations, having a strong ecosystem is essential to creating meaningful and successful learning experiences.
From an educator’s perspective, I’d also encourage leaders to rethink how career-connected learning fits into their existing goals. Sometimes, it can feel far removed, especially for middle school educators. But these experiences can have immediate benefits—improving attendance, GPA, and student engagement—while also preparing students for the future.
Leaning into career-connected learning doesn’t mean lowering the bar or changing what’s possible for students. It’s about accelerating their progress and providing a clearer path to success. Be open to the idea that these programs can enhance both short-term and long-term outcomes.
Shawnee Caruthers: Thank you both for sharing your insights and inspiring our listeners to rethink education. You’ve shown how bold ideas and strong partnerships can transform the way we prepare students for their futures. We’ll be watching Launchpad and Catalyze as they continue to grow and make an impact.
Student Perspectives: Voices from the Program
Mason Pashia: After recording this episode, we had the chance to hear from a few students about how these programs have shaped their perspectives on careers and pathways. Let’s hear from them.
Antonio Archer: Hi, my name is Antonio Archer. I’m from Philadelphia, born and raised, and I’m an 18-year-old graduate of Belmont Charter High School. Being part of Launchpad has taught me a plethora of skills. I’ve learned coding languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, as well as frameworks to help me use those languages more effectively.
I’ve also developed social skills, like public speaking and resume building, that will help me as I enter the workforce. Before joining Launchpad, I wasn’t confident in what I wanted to do. I just knew it had to be something technical, involving computers. Now, I know I want to be a software engineer.
Launchpad showed me that being a software engineer is about more than just coding—it’s about problem-solving, managing projects, and understanding people’s needs. Without this program, I wouldn’t feel as confident or prepared as I do now. I genuinely feel ready to tackle anything that comes my way.
This past summer, I interned at Accenture, a consulting firm that helps companies solve problems. I loved the experience—meeting people, understanding their challenges, and using code to find solutions. Thanks to Launchpad, I’ve discovered a career, not just a job.
Sianni Strickland: My name is Sianni Strickland, and I’ve lived in Philadelphia for most of my life. I’m currently a college freshman studying Communication and Mass Media Studies. Participating in Launchpad gave me a clearer idea of pursuing a career in tech, particularly in digital marketing and public relations.
I’ve learned foundational programming languages like Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which have allowed me to build simple websites and understand web development. The program also taught me problem-solving, time management, and collaboration skills. I’ve connected with mentors and peers who share my interests, and I’ve explored various career paths within tech, from front-end development to full-stack programming.
Launchpad is the main reason I decided to pursue a college degree in communications. The program prepared me for the workforce and gave me the confidence to explore my passions.
Dannyelle Austin
Dannyelle Austin is a mother of four and a passionate advocate for young people, who currently serves as the Inaugural Executive Director of Launchpad. Growing up in a single-parent home in Philadelphia first sparked Dannyelle’s interest in helping youth rise above their circumstances and become something greater than society’s expectations. From an early age, she knew she wanted to spend her life dedicated to helping young adults develop and achieve their dreams. Dannyelle’s extensive experience working with youth has given her renowned expertise in youth development, education, college readiness, workforce training, and, most importantly, the integration of trauma-informed methodologies throughout youth development practice. As the Executive Director of Launchpad, Dannyelle will continue to be a transformative leader and her strong belief in the power of innovative solutions will help young people connect with their bright futures. Dannyelle graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls and went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree from Franklin & Marshall College. Dannyelle holds two Master’s Degrees – Higher Educational & Organizational Development & Leadership.
Lisa Richardson
Lisa Richardson (she/her) serves as the Project Lead for Catalyze, a collaborative funding initiative dedicated to advancing career-connected learning through strategic grantmaking, research and insights, movement building, and transformative storytelling. Since its inception in 2021, Catalyze has awarded over $14 million in grants to 60 organizations nationwide, positively impacting more than 65,000 learners across the United States. Drawing on her experience as a former school principal, Lisa designs and implements evidence-based, strategic solutions that drive measurable impact, empowering organizations and communities to close opportunity gaps and create lasting change.
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