Advisory Board

Finance Advisor

Arun Prakash brings deep expertise in strategy, finance, and operations to our advisory board for Young Women in STEM. As CFO at The Boring Company, Arun has led financial and operational work across complex, future-facing industries including aerospace, enterprise software, and advanced transportation systems.

With a background that began in designing complex software algorithms and expanded into scaling startups and large-cap organizations, Arun offers data-driven insight paired with a strong understanding of people, teams, and organizational growth. His mentorship and financial guidance help our students and leadership team think boldly, build confidently, and see what is possible in STEM careers 🚀✨

CEO Support

Justin Scott is a founding board member who brings more than 20 years of experience building leaders, schools, and systems that expand opportunity for young people. A former longtime superintendent with KIPP Charter Schools, Justin has led school founding efforts, redesigned struggling campuses, coached executive leaders, and built strong leadership pipelines across Texas and Colorado.

Justin is currently the Founder of Aliento Colorado, a proposed public aerospace and aviation high school academy focused on real-world learning, college credit, industry credentials, and purpose-driven postsecondary pathways. He is also the Principal Consultant at La Colmena Leadership Partners, where he supports leaders, schools, and nonprofits through adaptive leadership, organizational change, and team effectiveness.

Grounded in lived experience and guided by deep empathy, Justin offers thoughtful mentorship and steady guidance to our CEO and leadership team. We are grateful for his clarity, integrity, and unwavering commitment to helping students and leaders thrive 💙

Operations Advisor

As a former founding leadership member of our team, Kat Patschke is a seasoned operations leader with six years of experience in an IB World School and over a decade in program and team management. She holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth and Community Studies with a minor in Business from the University of Texas at Austin.

In her previous roles, Kat was responsible for spearheading the development of vast programs carefully designed to enhance the learning experience for students through creative thinking and relationship building. 

She lives with her husband, two sons, two dogs, and two cats in Liberty Hill. In her spare time, Kat enjoys watching her sons play various sports, completing DIY home projects, and snuggling with her pets.

Kat is excited to bring her strategic vision and operational expertise to The Texas Girls School, supporting its vision to “create compassionate and confident leaders who consider both the local and global impact of their actions”.

Finance Advisor

Sumit Mehta is a highly respected financial professional with more than two decades of experience in financial planning, investment banking, and advisory services. A Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP), Sumit has built his career at both major Wall Street firms and boutique investment advisers, giving him a broad and insightful perspective on financial markets.

A proud Longhorn, Sumit earned his BA with Honors in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin before completing his MBA at the University of Michigan. His expertise in financial planning and strategy, coupled with his proven ability to navigate complex financial landscapes, makes him an invaluable resource to our foundation.

Sumit has advised us since day one, guiding our financial strategies with integrity and foresight. His commitment to financial excellence and sustainable growth continues to shape our foundation’s trajectory and strengthen our ability to steward resources in alignment with our mission.

Math Academics Advisor

Dr. Tammi Perez-Rice holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s and doctorate in STEM curriculum and instruction specializing in mathematics. She is a post-secondary course program specialist at the University of Texas Charles A. Dana Center, where she manages the content development of the Dana Center Mathematics Pathways course materials.

In addition, she is the co-author of the recently published article You Belong in STEM: Finding Your Place and Building Your Future in the Math Horizons Journal.

Finance Advisor

Grace Mabie is a Banker in the Austin office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank. She earned a B.A. with honors in Mathematics from Williams College and is passionate about mentoring young girls to gain confidence in their math skills. Throughout her professional career, Grace has focused on the best possible outcomes for clients. She has held instrumental roles at several growth mode startups, most notably as employee number seven at a high-risk consumer purchasing platform, where she rose to Senior Director of Client Success and Strategic Initiatives. Now at J.P. Morgan, she blends her analytical and project management skill set with an engaging style for the benefit of high-net-worth clients. An active participant in her local community, she serves as a committee member for Rodeo Austin.