Company: Q-SYS

Extracurricular: Fuqua is also the chair of the AVIXA Women’s Council.

LAVNCH [CODE]: What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in business, and how have you overcome them?

TAMMY FUQUA: Early on in my career, I was pigeonholed into admin roles, and I had a difficult time advancing my career. Getting involved in the AVIXA Women’s Council helped me to learn new skills and develop a network of like-minded women which helped propelled my career. I would recommend to any women in the AV industry to get involved in a women’s group. The mentorship I received through AWC was invaluable to my career growth.

LAVNCH [CODE]: How do you stay motivated and focused when faced with setbacks or obstacles?

TF: I take a time out. If I am at my desk, I push away from it and do things that allow me to reset my mindset—close my eyes and breathe, take my dog for a walk, find positive things to bring me back. For obstacles, I find solutions so obstacles do not become barriers.

LAVNCH [CODE]: How do you approach risk-taking in business?

Tammy (R) with her #AVBesties Susan Wilhite and Brandy Alvarado-Miranda (L) at an AVIXA Women’s Council event.

TF: Go all in! The growth I’ve experience in my career has been due to taking risks. Did it always work? Absolutely not. But with each experience, I grew and learned from it. I wanted to take the chance instead of living with the regret of “What if…” Without this risk taking, I would not be where I am today in my career.

LAVNCH [CODE]: Who is a woman you admire in the tech industry and why?

TF: Although she retired shortly after InfoComm last year, I will always admire the one-and-only Cory Schaeffer. Her hard work and dedication for women in this industry is something I strive to emulate. During a speech at last year’s AVIXA Women’s Council Breakfast, Cory said she was disappointed that the number of women in the ProAV industry was still only a measly 14%; I want to be a part of the group that helps continue her legacy and increase that number to 50% or more.

LAVNCH [CODE]: What’s your favorite book, movie, or song about female empowerment?

TF: I am a sucker for a band with a strong, bad-ass female lead singer. But to choose just one? That’s difficult! Being an O..C girl at heart and coming of age in the late 80’s/early 90’s, I must pick No Doubt’s Just a Girl. This becomes my theme song during times I need to just “sing it out”!

Listen to one of Tammy’s favorite songs about female empowerment.

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