Last year, we announced the first cohort of #AiCstories Ambassadors, who graciously shared their personal tech journeys and provided encouraging advice for the #AiCcommunity in a first-of-its-kind series sponsored by MatchGroup.
Now, the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Community is proud to introduce the second cohort of the #AiCstories Ambassadors! This dynamic cohort will share their unique stories to galvanize the next generation of tech leaders that look like them and beyond. Over the next few months you’ll get to know — and be inspired by — Gia, Hope, Ashley Marie, Kaylie, Bryn, and Neith.
We’re honored to introduce: global adventurer and Ph.D. Candidate, Bryn Loftness; first-generation Ivy League graduate, Kaylie Sampson; mental wellness advocate, Ashley Marie Lardizabal; proud citizen of The Chickasaw Nation, Hope Chambers; and Puerto Rico’s very own, Gia Ramos!
Women’s suffrage supporter and disability rights advocate, Helen Keller, once said that “life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” The incredible journey of AiC Stories Ambassador, Bryn Loftness, looks like what happens when you just say yes to life’s unexpected adventures!
From a young age Bryn loved using her family’s desktop computer to organize and process information, and learned that computers are a great tool for making decisions and gaining perspective. This insatiable curiosity — whether for thoughts, stories, ideas, plans, or just interesting information — would take her far.
“One of my favorite things about computing is its ability to help organize information and inspire curiosity, as I’ve said, but also its ability to foster community and connection, and in turn, change and innovation!”
After graduating from her technology, engineering, and mathematics high school in Minnesota, Bryn moved to the West to pursue a degree — and an adventure! — in Computer Science at Colorado Mesa University. Unknowingly, this would become the first of many adventures that would shape the #AiCstories Ambassador in ways that deeply influenced both her research and leadership, and expanded her capacity for empathy.
While at CMU, Bryn dove into the world of data science and physiological sensor systems for the first time, and was extensively involved in the CS club and also competed in the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC). Throughout her undergraduate journey, she was supported by Associate Professor of Computer Science, Karl Castleton. “He significantly supported my interests and made sure I had what I needed to stay curious and enveloped in my projects” recalls the Ambassador. His unwavering support helped Bryn to successfully build BPMBox — a pager-like homemade heart rate sensor that monitored pulse and provided bluetooth-based messages when a wearer of the device was undergoing abrupt heart rate changes. “When I first started the project, I had a ridiculously difficult time trying to get the sensor to output a reading. With the help of my mentor, I learned that big projects sometimes get stumped up on the smallest steps, but it doesn’t mean the whole project will go like that.”
Inspired to keep innovating from her first round of development, Bryn then made the next generation of her prototype wearable with three physiological sensors. As a result of her ingenuity, she won the grand prize at an external NASA-sponsored research symposium, and was also a finalist for the 2022 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Collegiate Award! Being recognized twice for her curiosity and hard work were pivotal moments in her early computing research career, reflects Bryn: “This was the first time I had really been recognized within the computing space, especially for something that was born solely of my curiosities and hard work. It was incredibly validating and exciting. I felt more in the proverbial ‘club’, even if the club didn’t feel like it typically looked like me, or had the same sexual orientation as me, or life experiences as me.”
"Being involved in amazing communities of shared interests, like NCWIT Aspirations in Computing has helped me feel seen and supported” remembers Bryn, something her younger self really longed for.
With lots of mentor support, a newfound community, confidence, plus several research awards, it was time for Bryn to take all she gained during her undergraduate journey to her next chapter in life — this time on the East Coast! But before she landed in Vermont to begin her doctoral studies, Bryn made a quick pit-stop in rural Norway to enjoy some hard-earned rest and leisure after graduating a semester early. Living and working in such varied locations instilled in her that innovation happens when you bring diverse perspectives together, and stay open to unconventional paths.
Since 2021, Bryn has been a Complex Systems and Data Science Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Vermont. During her first year of the program she joined as a Research Assistant on her advisor’s NSF CAREER award, and was encouraged by mentors to apply for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program (GRFP). Since 1952, the GRFP has recognized and supported outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based STEM degrees and demonstrate the potential to make significant STEM contributions.
Coming soon: Bryn shares her advice for cultivating relationships with mentors in an AiC Connections Blog!
After many draft application reviews and iterations of personal statements, not only was Bryn accepted to the GRFP, the project she was recruited for aligned with what she wanted to work on throughout her Ph.D. journey. This multifaceted program lasted five years, and the time, flexibility, and autonomy it allowed was transformative. “The GRFP allowed me to pursue the research questions I found most compelling without worrying about delaying deliverables on my advisor’s funded project. I could explore entrepreneurial directions, travel for NSF I-Corps customer discovery, and make my Ph.D. even more interdisciplinary” reflects the doctoral student.
The first two years were spent conducting traditional research: collecting a large multimodal dataset from over 100 children. In this lab setting, she studied whether wearable sensors could provide objective measures of emotional reactivity. Bryn’s third year — where she officially transitioned on the GRFP — was spent outside of those sterile walls, and instead working to translate the data into real clinical contexts. Through the NSF I-Corps and research with families, it was discovered that while children were excited to wear something novel and cute, pediatricians and caregivers were most eager for evidence-based tools that supported early mental-health screening and intervention they could use immediately. The result was Sprout — a physical and digitally enabled toolkit of evidence-based emotional-wellness strategies that blends childhood psychology, data science, digital health design, and art — was developed. During Bryn’s fourth year, studies were run to co-design and refine Sprout with parents and pediatricians. “This was a responsive, real-time research process that I could lead because my fellowship funding gave me the ability to explore high-impact translational work without jeopardizing project milestones or my own financial stability. Even though it’s a modest stipend, it provided dependable support so I could build what I believed in,” says the scientist.
Throughout this research tenure, Bryn maintained an extensive outreach approach — from sessions with fellow graduate students at the University of Vermont; to international workshops in Spain with technical researchers; and many academic conferences, panels, and interdisciplinary gatherings in between — in order to get her real-world solution in front of as many eyes as possible. As a result of her intentionality and visibility, Bryn landed on the TEDx Talk stage at the University of Mississippi. Throughout the 16 minute talk, Bryn unveiled how AI-driven solutions can help predict, identify, and improve childhood well-being and mental health concerns during the crucial early development stages of life that impact long-term success potential. While the talk has since been selected as an Editor’s Pick and has 45,000+ views online, one of the most impactful moments for Bryn came right after she finished speaking: “Right after, a father of young children under five came up to me and shared how the talk inspired him to start conversations about mental health earlier and to be more intentional about skill-building in his kids. That single interaction made all the nerves, the travel, and the reality of having a permanent YouTube video out in the world completely worth it” reflects Bryn.
If presenting her work on a global stage weren’t monumental enough, in the summer before her fifth year, Bryn launched Sprout, a commercial product through Biobe (“biobe” as in biobehavioral). Co-founded with three of her mentors — Drs. Ellen McGinnis, Dr. Ryan McGinnis, and Dr. Nick Cheney — Biobe provides digital tools that support families and providers navigating early childhood mental health care. Working alongside them has not only been a masterclass in clinical psychology, biomedical engineering, AI, and data science, but also in how to work as a true business partner: “Working with them has been an incredible experience. They treat me as a true collaborator, not “just a student,” and they’ve empowered me to lead the vision, fundraising, and product development for Sprout and our screening tool, OAK,” says the soon-to-be Doctoral graduate and start-up founder! Since its public launch in summer 2025, Sprout is now sold direct-to-consumer through bulk orders to pediatric clinics, schools, and support teams. Follow Biobe’s social accounts for news on upcoming product launches.
Post-graduation, Bryn hopes to continue being both a scientist and builder to translate research into practical tools, and ultimately create ecosystems of real care. Wherever she may go and do next, one thing is for certain: She’ll take on new challenges, environments, and spaces with the same courageous and innovative spirit that has gotten her thus far!
“My adventurous nature has given me courage—to take risks, to move toward the unknown, and to build things that haven’t existed before.”
In June 2025, Kaylie graduated as a first-generation college student from Dartmouth where she majored in Computer Science and minored in Digital Arts. While Kaylie may have been the first person in her family to attend college, throughout her journey she’s created pathways into technology for others like her to follow. From leading student organizations at Dartmouth to expanding tech education as a Software Engineer at Duolingo, Kaylie’s journey has been a masterclass in resourcefulness, career intentionality, and lifting as she climbs!
While she enjoyed an active childhood of outdoors sports between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Kaylie’s interest in technology was sparked in high school. After taking a programming class with her then teacher, Mr. Fogarty, she learned that she could create code that positively impacts the world. “He is one of the most passionate teachers I’ve met, and his enthusiasm for teaching technology was a huge inspiration for me. While he taught me the basics of programming, the most important lesson I learned from him was to think outside the box about how I could make an impact with the code that I write” recalls the #AiCstories Ambassador. As an independent study project with Mr. Fogarty, Kaylie created Testnode, an app that made the process of being tested for COVID-19 more efficient during the Pandemic.
Due to limited computer science education opportunities in her school district, Kaylie continued pursuing her interest in programming by leveraging resources beyond what her high school could offer. These included: taking online courses, self-directed learning, and participating in local regional programming competitions. Her tenacity in somehow finding a way when there wasn’t a clearly defined path paid off — in 2021, she received the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award for the New Hampshire affiliate due to her efforts and accomplishments.
“Winning the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award was a huge moment in my CS journey. It was the confidence boost I needed to continue pursuing my passion and seeing how far it could take me.”
With new-found confidence and support from the #AiCcommunity in tow, Kaylie became an AiC Campus Rep as a freshman at Dartmouth. As a first-generation college student, connecting with others on campus with shared backgrounds was paramount. According to The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Library of Medicine in 2021, “First-generation students are generally more likely to be female, older, Black or Hispanic, have dependent children, and come from low-income families compared to their continuing-generation counterparts.” Although Kaylie understood that she may be an outlier at an Ivy League institution, she was determined to have a full college experience and succeed no matter the odds!
In addition to her Campus Rep duties, Kaylie also explored new opportunities and spaces that excited her, finding community along the way. Being active in coding-related student organizations like HackDartmouth and Women in Computer Science — where she eventually became president— gave her personal support. Joining these organizations not only broadened her exposure to all that computer science had to offer but also allowed her to network with other students and mentors who shared her passion for technology. She facilitated events, started new initiatives to help improve on-campus support, and even brought 30+ WIT org members to attend WECode: Women Engineers Code Conference, the world’s largest student-run undergraduate tech conference, at Harvard University.
While being involved in student organizations filled her communal cup, working at the Digital Applied Learning and Innovation Lab (DALI) helped to give Kaylie professional purpose. The DALI Lab at Dartmouth College is an innovative experiential learning program where students act as digital designers, software engineers, and project managers to build technology tools — giving students real-world experience and confidence. During her time there, Kaylie worked as a software engineer and built websites, mobile applications, and AR/VR applications using React, React Native, and Unity. Throughout this impactful experience she was exposed to the beauty of designing, building, and shipping tech products in a short amount of time — skills necessary in the tech workforce.
Her minor in Digital Arts allowed expressive freedom, says Kaylie, “from the start of my coding journey, I was taught to build with my own creative liberties so alongside learning the basics of computer science, I wanted to keep creating art.” As a result, art became an ideal complement to her technical STEM skills in studying what, why, and how to build tools.
Learn how NCWIT has worked to create an expansive future of tech for 20+ years
While many first-generation students may lack access to career preparation and mentorship on campus, Dartmouth’s The First Generation Office (FIGO) empowers first-generation undergraduates to thrive academically and professionally. “I was incredibly grateful for the resources dedicated to first-generation college students at my university. Not only do they focus on supporting us outside the classroom, but also advocate to professors for additional support in the classroom,” reflects the Alumna. Due to this vulnerability, Kaylie was able to foster deep, meaningful relationships with her professors, even encouraging a few to adjust their teaching style to be more accessible to students like her. Mentorship, particularly from Elizabeth Murnane — Assistant Professor of Engineering and Empower Lab Director — inspired Kaylie to gain valuable industry experience through off-term internships so she could continue building her post-grad marketability. Her support system’s wisdom and guidance was essential in interview preparation, understanding networking, and confidence building. As a result, Kaylie was able to complete varied internships at Amazon, Pegasystems, and Duolingo — where she currently works — and mastered soft skills like cross-communication, peer-to-peer learning, and collaborative problem solving.
For current college students interviewing in today’s job market, in addition to aforementioned support, the intern-turned-employee also emphasizes the importance of experience coupled with being authentic, persistent, and enthusiastic when interviewing: “If you are really passionate about a company, make sure they can see that. I didn’t know anyone else who worked at Duolingo to help me get the job, and it took a lot of effort on my end to show them my enthusiasm.”
Kaylie has been resourceful and intentional about creating the career of her dreams — while also helping others achieve their aspirations along the way! When asked about her future, Kaylie says, “I’m most excited to establish myself as an engineer so I can be in a position to mentor and lead others” — safe to say she’s already done that, and Duolingo is lucky to have her!
While Kaylie’s story is one of significant inspiration, it is vital to continue to transform educational spaces, workplaces, and communities so they don’t require so much resilience for low-income, first-generation students to persist and thrive. Supporting them requires a multi-pronged approach and according to Harvard Business Impact, here are a few practical strategies that educators, mentors, and supporters can implement to help empower first-generation students to succeed:
Find more photos, insights, and share Kaylie’s #AiCstory with aspiring technologists on Bluesky | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook!
Watch her story via the NCWIT Media Hub and on YouTube!
Being a student is challenging, but being a student and working full-time is no small feat — Ashley Marie Lardizabal juggles these multiple priorities daily. From 9-5, she’s an Engineering Operations Specialist at Everlaw — an advanced technology firm empowering legal teams — and at night, she’s a part-time student at the University of San Francisco set to graduate in 2025.
While many young professionals would boast about their non-stop demanding lives as a rite of passage to the career of their dreams, Ashley Marie rejects this traditional path. Instead, the #AiCStories Ambassador’s openness around her mental health struggles is refreshing. She’s no longer tethered to the perfectionistic pressure that often comes with being a first-generation, ambitious woman of color. Instead, she’s charting her own path with her well-being at the forefront.
“Mental health isn't the easiest topic to talk about but being vulnerable about what my journey has looked like so far has helped me grow closer with my family members, and also helped reground me in my personal values of humility, joy, responsibility, and grit.”
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Filipino American immigrants, Ashley Marie was the go-to tech person in her mutli-generational household. During her adolescence, she participated in an all-girls robotics team — where she led programming, coding, and eventually became team captain — and was also the web master of her school newspaper. Both of these achievements led her to receive the The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award in 2017 for the Hawaii Affiliate.
Despite her many childhood achievements, Ashley Marie recalls always struggling with an unhealthy inner critic. “Growing up Filipino, I thought shame was always a good thing, but that’s not entirely true, and ended up leading me to champion perfectionism more than my authentic self, ” she says. After moving from Hawaii to California for college, her mental health began to deteriorate due to the pressures of being a first-generation student, coupled with her loved ones being scattered across the country. In 2022, she was unable to graduate. Despite the immense shame and guilt of feeling like she let her parents, and all of their sacrifices, down she listened to herself and what she needed — which included taking a leave from college.
Figuring out what was next was a process, recalls Ashley Marie, but with the love of her friends — especially her bestie Shelly Anne — family, community, and therapists she reflected on what she truly wanted for herself, her career and passions. “I’m truly grateful that I have access to such great mental health professionals, and talk therapy, regularly. In the same way that my weightlifting routine builds muscle, talking about my mental health helped me build a muscle to overcome unhelpful thinking patterns,” says the #AiCStories Ambassador.
During her mental health sabbatical, she was able to leverage her multi-hyphenated skillset and experience. Throughout her first few years of college, rather than boxing herself into one space, she opted to pursue all of her interests by taking both STEM and social science classes. As a result of her interdisciplinary studies, she was inspired to pursue technical operations internships at the intersection of people, technology, and process. Due to her prior internship experience, she landed a full-time role at Everlaw. As an Engineering Operations Specialist, she works alongside technical subject-matter experts on how to best support engineers’ work in diagnosing issues and promoting better coding practices. She also chairs Everlaw’s AAPI resource group, and is interested in learning more about best workplace practices and representation.
"I hope my journey in tech continues to take me down exciting paths, especially ones where I get to expand my technical project and program management skills!”
Ashley Marie’s journey — across oceans, juggling many life priorities, and going against the status quo — is not in vain. Not only does she graduate in 2025, but she’s also building an app for Filipino American mental health. Tools such as moving her body; reading books that helped her name her emotions like Gifts of Imperfection and Atlas of the Heart by Dr. Brené Brown; as well as following mental health advocates that shared her identity, like the Asian Mental Health Collective, were instrumental during her journey. Now, she’s giving back to her community so they too can have access to healing: “The project I feel most passionate about is the app I’m building for Filipino American mental health, alongside wonderful peers who believe in mental wellness the same way I do.”
In the meantime, for those within the #AiCcommunity who may be struggling with mental health, Ashley Marie leaves you with this:
Find more photos, insights, and share Ashley Marie’s #AiCstory with aspiring technologists on Bluesky | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook!
Hope Chambers is a woman of many firsts. She went from being the first student from Oklahoma to win a national NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award— then won 3 years in a row! — to being a part of the team at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory team dedicated to bringing the first samples from Mars back to Earth.
Early science interest is important for developing a perception of yourself as someone who is capable of doing STEM — and parental or caregiver support plays a crucial role in exposing and supporting this. As with fellow #AiCstories Ambassador Gia Ramos, Hope’s STEM journey also began in adolescence due to her parents’ emboldening. She attended a summer camp program in elementary school and was immediately hooked after witnessing her hard work come to life through hands-on projects.
Another source of endless encouragement for this #AiCstories Ambassador has been AISES – a national non-profit and NCWIT Affinity Alliance member focused on advancing the Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in STEM — from early education to professional career development — through financial, academic, professional, and cultural support.
As a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Hope got involved with the organization as an undergrad, and it changed the trajectory of her life, both personally and professionally.
Hope found securing internships within the competitive STEM landscape daunting before joining the organization. While attending the AISES national conference, she connected with tech recruiters from across the country, including 3M — where she landed her first internship — and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) after that.
With the support of AISES and the #AiCcommunity, and her willingness to put herself out there despite the fear, Hope had a transformative two-year journey at NASA JPL. During her internship, she worked on groundbreaking projects like the Mars Sample Return mission.
While AISES provided necessary ancestral connection and strength, being a part of the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing community evolved her confidence as a woman in STEM. Both of their investments allowed Hope to be relentless in the pursuit of her dreams.
A young Hope who loved using her hands to build personal projects could only imagine where her early love for technology might take her. As a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a Master’s in Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Hope is ready for the world (and beyond)! While she aspires to have a life-long career working on projects that align with her passion for fabrication and robotics, she also hopes to be a source of guidance and support for others, just as her parents, AISES, and NCWIT have been for her.
From Oklahoma to Mars, Hope Chambers is making her mark! Find more photos, insights, and share Hope’s story with aspiring technologists on Bluesky | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook!
Watch her story via the NCWIT Media Hub and on YouTube.
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Gia was determined from a young age to make an impact on her island — and she has. Now, she’s an award-winning and world traveling technologist, all before she’s walked the stage. Her journey is awe-inspiring!
Gia was the youngest-ever recipient of the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing National High School Award.
In 2023, she was named a member of the inaugural Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Puerto Rico. Currently, she’s studying Operations Research and Information Engineering with a minor in Applied Mathematics at Cornell University, an NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance member institution, as well as leading a non-profit organization.
Frustrated by the lack of STEM opportunities, she founded Girl Innovation in 2018: A program focused on teaching young girls the basics of computer science, robotics, and cybersecurity. Through workshops, Girl Innovation Talks, roundtable discussions, and college and career discovery days, this non-profit, Gia is empowering young girls in tech — just as #AiCcommunity member Pooja Chandrashekar inspired her.
After attending a robotics course in fifth grade, Gia participated in a competition hosted by ProjectCSGIRLS, an international non-profit organization founded by Pooja that’s dedicated to closing the gender gap in computing and technology. The program taught her about critical thinking, app design, pitching ideas, and NCWIT — and changed the trajectory of her life!
In the first year of Girl Innovation, two of Gia’s mentees became semi-finalists in the ProjectCSGirls competition. The following year, one of her first mentees, Kamila, became a NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award winner for the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Affiliate and National NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award Honorable Mention recipient.
"It was truly a full-circle moment for me," Gia said about her mentee being recognized by NCWIT.
Through all of her years of service to others and accolades, she has her Dad to thank. Not only for his endless support, but also for enriching her life through travel.
From exploring across Puerto Rico, to skiing in the mountains of Spain, and taking on upstate New York, he’s been her number one supporter — and travel companion!
In summer 2024, Gia interned at Wells Fargo in the Commercial and Corporate & Investment Banking Technology team. This year, Gia Ramos — the purposeful girl determined to make an impact within her community — will graduate with a bachelors from an Ivy League institution. Congratulations, Gia!
Find more photos, insights, and share Gia’s story with aspiring technologists on Bluesky | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook!
More #AiCstories are coming soon! Follow @NCWITAiC using the links above to be the first to see them as they’re released!
