Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Establishes Pioneering Geospatial Intelligence Partnership with Gateway Global to Expand STEM Pathways for Girls
December 15, 2025
St. Louis, MO, December 15, 2025 – Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) has announced a new partnership with Gateway Global American Youth and Business Alliance Academies Inc., a nationally recognized St. Louis–based workforce development organization focused on preparing youth for high-demand career fields. The collaboration will expand access to hands-on STEM programming and introduce them to emerging opportunities in the geospatial and national security sectors.
Beginning this spring, middle and high school Girl Scouts in eastern Missouri will be able to participate in three new workforce-aligned camp experiences and career exploration day developed jointly by GSEM and Gateway Global. High school participants will engage in a Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) analysis program, learning how geospatial data informs national security, disaster response, and global decision-making. Middle school participants will study cartography and digital mapping, gaining foundational skills used across technology, transportation, and public safety industries.
Strengthening St. Louis’ Growing Geospatial Talent Pipeline
Gateway Global has played a significant role in establishing St. Louis as a hub for geospatial talent, providing certifications, technical training, and career-aligned education for young people across the region. The organization partners with schools, community groups, and industry leaders to prepare students for careers in GEOINT, cybersecurity, and other advanced STEM disciplines.
Dr. Natissia Small, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, said the partnership aligns with GSEM’s long-standing focus on preparing girls for future leadership roles in today’s workforce.
“Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri believes in the power of preparing our girls to lead boldly, and this partnership gives our girls access to some of the fastest-growing and most influential fields of the future,” said Dr. Natissia Small, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. “By combining our commitment to leadership development with Gateway Global’s industry expertise, we are opening doors to careers that shape national security, innovation, and the strength of our region. This collaboration positions our girls not only to imagine what is possible, but to step directly into pathways that will define tomorrow’s workforce.”
Gateway Global Founder and CEO Zekita Armstrong also highlighted the importance of early exposure to emerging career fields.
“When young people are introduced early to emerging fields like geospatial technology and national security, they gain the confidence and skills to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy. Gateway Global was founded on the principle that every young person in America should have access to the skills and industries that shape our nation and our world," said Zekita Armstrong, Founder, Chair & CEO of Gateway Global. "Building a future-ready geospatial workforce starts long before students enter college or the job market. This collaboration with Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri strengthens St. Louis’ position as a national leader in geospatial innovation while empowering girls to become the architects of tomorrow’s solutions."
The partnership supports GSEM’s broader efforts to offer programming that reflects the region’s evolving economic landscape and prepares girls to step into high-growth career fields that are vital to the strength of our local and national economy. As St. Louis continues to invest in geospatial and national security innovation, both organizations view this collaboration as a timely and strategic opportunity to develop a future-ready talent pipeline and equip girls to become the women leaders who will drive these industries forward.
Programming will launch this spring, with additional opportunities planned as the partnership grows.
For more information about upcoming STEM programs or joining Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, visit girlscoutsem.org.
