In this episode of Badass Leaders, Raheem Beyah, Georgia Tech's Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs joins Angela to talk about innovation, mentorship, and the evolution of leadership in higher education. Born and raised in Atlanta, Raheem shares how his grandmother's biscuits and a childhood love of video games first sparked his curiosity for technology—and how that curiosity became a lifelong mission to empower others through education and innovation.
From Georgia Tech's groundbreaking AI Makerspace to national initiatives in cybersecurity and access to STEM education, Raheem reveals what it takes to lead at scale without losing sight of people. Listeners will walk away with fresh insights on resilience, mentorship, and building legacy through service, integrity, and human connection.
The story behind how biscuits and video games shaped Raheem's early path
What the Atlanta Public Schools taught him about resilience and purpose
The difference between a leader and a manager—and when to be both
How to approach conflict with empathy and strategy
Building cultures of trust, innovation, and accountability in large organizations
The vision behind Georgia Tech's AI Makerspace and AI-driven education
Why mentorship and access remain the cornerstones of true leadership
What "leaving a legacy" really means in higher education
Learn More About Raheem Beyah:
Mentioned in this Episode:
Holy Shift: Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow: https://holyshiftresearch.transistor.fm/
AI Makerspace at Georgia Tech: https://coe.gatech.edu/academics/ai-for-engineering/ai-makerspace
Bud Moeller's episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMA1L2B5xsM&t=179s
Building Your A-Team blog: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/building-your-a-team/
Produced by: The AGN Group
Host: Angela Gill Nelms
Producer: Katie Hart
Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.
Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.
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Want to be a Podcast Guest?
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@angelagillnelms.com.
