PEARLS of Wisdom: Dr. Tiffany Tardy on Mission Service, Empowering Young Women, and Her First Generation Journey

WorkLeadershipLife
Written By Molly Madonia
 
 
 

Dr. Tiffany Tardy - President and CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls

Dr. Tiffany Tardy is a powerhouse advocate for education and youth success in Milwaukee. After pursuing higher education and holding successful leadership roles within Milwaukee’s premiere impact organizations, including All-In Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation, Dr. Tardy currently serves as the President and CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls, a fabulous Milwaukee organization with an incredible mission to uplift our community’s young women. In this Interview with FGPM President Molly Madonia , Dr. Tardy shares more about the PEARLS mission and impact, the importance of mentorship, and her own first generation professional journey.

In Part I of this Community Leader Interview, Dr. Tardy discusses:

  • The fabulous mission and work of PEARLS for Teen Girls, including the evidence-based, socio-emotional learning program curriculum

  • The 30(+) year history of the organization

  • From 2023 - 2024, PEARLS impacted 860 girls, 98% of girls would recommend PEARLS to a friend, and 95% of girls would return to PEARLS. Dr. Tardy showcases the impact of these incredible statistics from the organization’s Annual Report

  • How multi-generational, peer-to-peer service is reflected within PEARLS

    • Plus, the continuous legacy of the PEARLS mission: how former ‘PEARLS Girls’ return to the organization to serve in leadership roles and can be seen upholding the PEARLS mission in their professional lives across Milwaukee

  • The impact of a PEARLS mentorship on the course of a young woman’s life

    • Plus, how PEARLS Girls are sustaining and evolving this relationship after their time in the program

  • Finally, we close Part I of this Interview with Dr. Tardy explaining what mentorship means to her, the impact of mentors in her own life, and how research and data showcase the impact of mentorship on young people and first generation professionals

 

In Part II of this Community Leader Interview, Dr. Tardy discusses:

  • How being a public representative of PEARLS for Teen Girls informs her sense of self

    • Plus, the responsibility (and difficulty!) of upholding the mission across all facets of her life

  • Mission-service rooted in authenticity and gratitude

  • Her first generation journey, including lessons on navigating spaces not designed for one’s own lived experience

  • How involvement and visibility creates change

  • Building PEARLS student programs rooted in actual experience and hindsight gleaned from years of this navigation, resilience, and adaptation

    • Plus, importance of having a life plan, even when feeling overwhelmed

  • How accepting help and taking advice can be difficult as a first generation professional

  • How openness to opportunities for growth can change one’s life trajectory

  • Two important thoughts for first generation professionals:

    • Remember your why

    • Take up space

  • Finally, we close by asking Dr. Tardy what she loves about Milwaukee

Panelist:

Dr. Tiffany Tardy, President and CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls

Moderator:

Molly Madonia, Founder and President, First Generation Professionals of Milwaukee Inc

Recorded Tuesday, April 15, 2025

 
 

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