Sticking to innovation: a journey from community college to CEO
In the days following a recent phone call with Dr. Capella Kerst, I found myself repeating, “I just met a woman whose name will be known worldwide one day.” I could not get over how much she has accomplished since graduating from Santa Teresa High School. I was captivated by Capella’s story and loved hearing how she traces her successful journey through higher education back to her start at West Valley College.
Dr. Kerst, Silicon Valley start-up founder and CEO, holds a US patent and degrees from UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Stanford University. Somehow, though, it feels like she’s just getting started. As Capella brought her resume to life by sharing some of the key decisions that shaped her education and career, I continued to think, “I can’t wait to tell our supporters about Capella!”
Five key takeaways from my conversation with Dr. Capella Kerst:
#1 West Valley wasn’t her first choice – but it became the best choice.
She was a stellar student who knew at the age of 10 that she wanted to get a PhD one day. When financial limitations prevented her from heading straight to a four-year institution after high school, Capella says she “resigned herself to the idea of community college.” But today, Capella says attending West Valley College was “a tremendous blessing.” At West Valley, Capella immersed herself in both academics and campus life. It sounds like you could have run into Capella anywhere on campus: on stage in the drama department, starting a literary magazine, working as the first student hire in the Math Resource Center, taking photography for the newspaper, gathering with friends in the Honors Program and student government, or immersed in studies as a STEM major. She found mentors among West Valley’s faculty and discovered a sense of belonging that fueled her confidence.
#2 Our scholarships really matter.
When Capella received the Cooper-Garrod Family Scholarship from the West Valley-Mission Foundation, it helped ease the financial stress of transferring to UC Berkeley. She recalls,
“That scholarship was phenomenal and such a blessing,” she says. “It helped me make the leap when I wasn’t sure I could afford to. The donors who give to scholarships aren’t just writing checks—they’re sharing their resources and investing in students who just need a bit of financial help to go after their dreams.”
#3 Her education and career are impressive beyond her years.
Capella transferred to UC Berkeley to complete her undergraduate studies in math and physics and a minor in mechanical engineering. She then earned her master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering at UCLA and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Stanford University. Today, she is the founder and CEO of geCKo Materials, a startup developing an innovative, bio-inspired dry adhesive that combines sustainability with cutting-edge performance. Modeled after the natural gripping power of geckos, it’s like a new form of one-sided Velcro, but one that leaves no residue, can quickly attach and detach, and requires no electrical charge or suction. A one-inch tile of the material can hold 15 pounds and be reused more than 120,000 times. Her company’s technology is a beautiful reflection of her lifelong fascination with science and her commitment to environmental responsibility.
#4 She’s just getting started.
geCKo Materials celebrated its 5th birthday this month, has 11 full-time employees, multiple institutional investors, and is shipping worldwide to support innovation in the automotive, robotics, and aeronautics industries. Its super-strong dry adhesive was used on six space missions in the last year and is currently in use on the International Space Station. Last year, Capella unveiled four new uses for the product on the TechCrunch Disrupt main stage, including a semiconductor wafer handling tool, a robotic gripper for smooth surfaces like solar panels or glass, a curved robotic end effector for more irregular shapes, and an all-purpose gripper for robotic arms. It’s easy to see that Capella has big dreams for geCKo Materials and a clear vision for how its innovative technology can save companies time, space, and energy while reducing waste.
#5 She combines success with giving back.
The daughter of two community college educators – her mother, Nancy Kerst, once taught mathematics at West Valley College – Capella remains interested in giving back. She freely shares her time with nonprofit programs supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and young women in STEM. She also provides a paid day off to her employees once per month so they can volunteer in the community. When I asked if she’s interested in speaking to our students, she enthusiastically and unequivocally answered “Yes! I’d love that!”
Now you can see why I couldn't wait to tell you about Capella. She stands as a shining example of what’s possible when hard work, education, and community support come together. Our phone call was the perfect reminder that great beginnings often start close to home.
