Throughout life there are moments when the world just begins to widen; when what once felt like the whole universe suddenly becomes just one small corner of it. For Molly, some of those defining moments came through friendships lost and found, through painful experiences with bullying, through exposure to new environments, and ultimately, through relationships that reshaped how she saw herself and envisioned her future. 

Before she was a leader shaping the future of Milwaukee, Dr. Tiffany Tardy Grant was a young girl trying to understand where she fit in the world. 

When Paula first encountered PEARLS, she wasn’t searching for a calling; she was searching for stability after a seismic shift. It was 2020, in the thick of COVID times. After 27 years in corporate life at Johnson Controls, Paula’s role was downsized. What followed was a year of severance and something rarer than free time, a space to reflect. Space to be with her family. Space to ask what kind of work would actually matter in the next chapter. 

When Andrea first joined PEARLS as a high school student, she wasn’t sure a girls’ program was for her. What she found instead was honesty, consistency, and adults who showed up with care and authenticity. That experience changed her trajectory. From participant to Teen Facilitator, and eventually Program Manager, Andrea has spent more than a decade growing alongside PEARLS, walking with girls as they find their voices, build confidence, and step into leadership. Her journey is a powerful reminder that when you invest in one girl, the impact ripples for years to come.

At Inspired to Lead, guests received a special first look at PEARLS new branding refresh! And now it’s your turn!