In her own words, Carol Koech is a dreamer, an executor, and an enabler—and in this deeply inspiring episode, she lives up to every one of those titles.
Born in rural Kenya without access to electricity, Carol’s childhood was marked by challenges that could have easily defined her limits. Instead, they ignited a fire within her.
Today, she’s dedicating her life to solving the very problem she once lived—energy access.
Her rise to top executive roles at global giants like Schneider Electric, GE, and Unilever is not just a corporate success story—it’s a beacon for anyone who has ever wondered if their beginning could define their end.
We dive into the pivotal moments that shaped Carol’s journey:
•Her childhood without power and how it fuels her mission today
•What it means to “light possibility” for children just like her
•How she identifies when an opportunity is truly meant for her
•The power of taking bold, uncomfortable risks—and why resilience often grows from adversity
•How she’s learned to fly the plane while fixing it
•Her personal encounters with self-doubt and imposter syndrome—and how she redefines them as growth moments
We also explore the future: how the AI revolution is reshaping electrification in Africa, why energy access must be seen as a tool of productivity, and what she looks for when identifying standout talent.
This episode is a reason to believe—that where you start doesn’t limit where you can go. That the very things we wish hadn’t happened might just be the fuel for our greatness.
Tune in, and be reminded that your story, no matter how it starts, can light the way forward.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.