The Essential Upgrade: How Chandra Sanders Balances Life as a Single Mom, AI Evangelist, and Silicon Valley Leader

In this episode, we sit down with Chandra Sanders, a powerhouse in the tech and social impact industries, who shares her inspiring journey from small-town Louisiana to Silicon Valley and beyond. Chandra talks about moving across the country as a single mom, tripling her salary, and breaking barriers in her career. She offers invaluable advice on parenting, career growth, and creating a life of purpose and impact. With her unique perspective as a mom of three children spanning vastly different age groups, Chandra’s story is both relatable and aspirational.

Learn more about Chandra on our website

Fun Fact:
Chandra once landed a job at a robotics company through Craigslist and moved her family to Silicon Valley within two weeks!

What You’ll Learn:

-Chandra’s decision to move cross-country as a single mom and how it transformed her career
-The joys and challenges of parenting children with a seven-year age gap
-Strategies for balancing a demanding tech career with single parenting
-The power of resilience, adaptability, and trusting your intuition
-Why Chandra treats life like a product launch and focuses on her “MVP” (Most Viable Product)
-How flexibility and intentionality have shaped her success in work and family life

About Chandra Sanders:
Chandra Sanders is a dynamic leader with over a decade of strategic experience in startups and social impact. She is the Chief Evangelist at RightMatch AI, where she helps companies revolutionize talent acquisition through AI-powered solutions. Previously, she served as the VP of RISE at The Mom Project, where her efforts created $17 million in economic impact and empowered over 7,000 individuals.

Chandra is a 44-year-old divorced mom of three: Hayleigh (21), Chloe (14), and Zander (7). After growing up in Louisiana, she made the bold move to Silicon Valley, where she tripled her salary and landed her first tech job through a Craigslist ad. Now based in Austin, Texas, Chandra balances her thriving career with raising her kids, who have benefited from her determination and resilience.

Quotes from the Episode:

“I packed my bags and my kids and moved across the country to chase opportunities—and tripled my salary.”
“Parenting has taught me to focus on what truly matters and let go of the rest.”
“The best part of my seven-year age gap with my kids is the built-in support system they’ve created for each other and for me.”
“I approach life and parenting like a product launch—plan for your MVP and sprinkle the magic on top.”

Resources Mentioned:

-Chandra’s book: The Essential Upgrade: A Journey of Purpose, Pivots, and Power (Available on Amazon)
Connect with Chandra on LinkedIn: Chandra Sanders
Follow Chandra on Instagram: @OfficiallyChandra