Featuring Tara Matthews, Vice President and co-owner of RSG, on the Film Hub Off-Script Podcast.

Watch the full video on YouTube:

What does it take to raise a family, run a business, and still show up with purpose every day?

In Episode 4 of The Film Hub Off-Script, host Lauren Fehlhaber sits down with Tara Mathews, Vice President and co-owner of RSG Solutions, to talk about her journey from intern to executive, her commitment to affordable housing, and what it’s really like to lead while navigating personal loss, divorce, and the demands of motherhood.

A Career Built on Compassion and Community

Tara didn’t plan to enter the world of economic and community development. In fact, she graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Earth Sciences, dreaming of saving coral reefs. But life had different plans, and a chance internship at RSG turned into a two-decade journey helping cities across California navigate affordable housing, redevelopment, and strategic planning.

Today, Tara leads a team of over 30 employees who work with hundreds of jurisdictions statewide. But her story is more than a professional success — it’s about grit, grace, and the people who helped her get back up when life knocked her down.

Navigating Divorce, Grief, and Single Motherhood

Tara opens up about the unexpected end of her marriage, the loss of her mother, and becoming a single mom to two young kids, all while taking on an ownership role at RSG. She shares the emotional weight of those years: the guilt, the late nights, the tears in the kitchen, and the relentless pressure to keep moving forward.

But what shines through most is her resilience and the honest reflection that she couldn’t have done it alone. From a strong support system to therapy, executive coaching, and a willingness to slow down, Tara shares what it really took to rebuild her life while staying present for her kids and her company.

Redefining Success and Making Space for Others

As a woman of color in a male-dominated field, Tara talks candidly about imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the myth that high-achievers have to do it all alone. She now focuses on mentorship and giving her team the same opportunity to grow that she was given, and letting go of the need to do everything and creating space for others to lead.

She also reflects on how her company adapted after the pandemic, embracing hybrid work, downsizing their central office, and investing in local community hubs like The Film Hub — giving herself and her team a better work-life balance and stronger local connections.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Tara’s path from Earth Sciences major to VP at RSG

• Working in affordable housing and economic development

• Navigating grief, divorce, and single motherhood

• Building support systems and letting go of guilt

• The emotional labor of leadership

• Creating balance as a high-achieving woman

• How RSG uses community spaces like The Film Hub to grow

• The power of slowing down and doing the inner work

🎙️ Listen to the full episode now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

📍 Recorded at The Film Hub – where creativity meets success.