Empowering Young Girls in STEAM, with Gail Tusan and Tammy Cass, The Pave Foundation (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 836)
In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, hosted by John Ray, the spotlight is on The Pave Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering young girls in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics). John welcomes two board members, Gail Tusan, Pave’s founder, and Tammy Cass. They discuss the foundation’s mission to support, mentor, and inspire young girls, particularly girls of color, in pursuing STEAM careers. The conversation highlights various programs and initiatives like summer camps, the “Super Science Day of the Girl,” and the importance of community partnerships. The episode also covers the challenges girls face, such as access to technology and self-advocacy, and shares success stories and future goals for the foundation.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
The Pave Foundation
Gail Tusan is the Founder and President of The Pave Foundation, and Tammy Cass is a Board Member.
The Pave Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Black girls in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields. Founded with a mission to “pave the way” for young women of color, the foundation focuses on providing comprehensive academic and enrichment programs that nurture intellectual curiosity and build self-confidence. By creating targeted opportunities, they aim to address the significant underrepresentation of Black women in STEAM disciplines and help break down systemic barriers that have historically limited their participation.
Through innovative educational initiatives, mentorship programs, and hands-on learning experiences, The Pave Foundation seeks to inspire and equip Black girls with the skills, knowledge, and support necessary to pursue successful careers in STEAM-related fields. The organization is committed to not only developing individual potential but also promoting environmental awareness and advocating for equitable resource distribution. By investing in these young women’s education and personal development, the foundation hopes to create lasting change, diversify professional landscapes, and empower a new generation of Black female leaders in science, technology, and innovation.
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Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:44 Meet the Guests: Gail Tusan and Tammy Cass
02:25 The Mission and Work of The Pave Foundation
05:17 Challenges and Solutions in STEAM Education
08:29 Program Details and Community Impact
11:28 Access to Technology and Digital Disparities
17:18 Community Partnerships and Success Stories
24:04 How to Get Involved and Support Pave
34:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio
Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $17 billion in assets and more than 180 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from each banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way to better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.
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About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray
With over 800 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!
The show welcomes a wide variety of business, non-profit, and community leaders to get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.
The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.
John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.
