On Balance with Claire Smith and Krissy Taft: The Power of Recognition

On Balance

Spotlight on Recognition: Enhancing Education with Hilight's Claire Smith and Krissy Taft

Welcome to "On Balance," the podcast where we delve into the world of education, technology, and entrepreneurship through inspiring and insightful conversations. I'm your host, Dr. Rod Berger, and in this episode, we are thrilled to feature the co-founders of Hilight, Claire Smith and Krissy Taft.

Today, we uncover the fascinating journeys of Claire and Krissy as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of being women in the tech industry. Claire shares her experiences overcoming isolation and self-doubt, while Krissy reveals her evolving passion for computer science and her mission to encourage young girls to explore STEM fields. Together, they discuss the subtle barriers that dissuade girls from STEM and the innovative ways they are working to change that narrative.

We'll delve into the evolution of their company, Hilight, a powerful tool designed to recognize and amplify the efforts of teachers and school communities. Claire and Krissy also discuss how data and AI can provide valuable insights for school leaders, making a substantial impact on school culture and morale.

With their unique blend of confidence and humility, our guests emphasize the importance of finding one’s voice and maintaining balance as entrepreneurs. Join us as we celebrate their commitment to making a difference, their well-deserved recognitions, and their ongoing journey to support and inspire the next generation. This is an episode you won't want to miss

Timestamps

00:00 Passionate founders of education tech startup Hilight.

05:03 Loves career switch and parallels in industries.

07:30 Technology simplifies innovation, focuses on essential.

12:42 Analyzing challenges, integrating technology, and its magic.

14:29 Aligning core values to school mission's effectiveness.

17:31 Excited about data and potential for AI.

23:44 Chrissy overcame obstacles in tech industry.

25:41 Supporting girls in education and sports strong.

29:48 CEO roles, brand association, finding voice development.

31:40 Overcome pressure with confidence and humility.

34:23 Closing chapter of "On Balance"

Connect with Claire Smith

Website: https://www.hilightedu.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-margaret-smith/

Connect with Krissy Taft

Website: https://www.hilightedu.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krissy-taft/