# A608 After Hours Podcast A608 After hours podcast aims to bring voices from the field into the classroom to inspire, inform and ignite leadership dedicated to wrestling with today's stacked challenges. Each week we interview a guest that is doing this most important work in the field and discuss how course concepts surfaced in our A608 Leadership Entrepreneurship and Learning Course come to life in the field. Our guests span multiple roles across different sectors and institutions, and come from varied backgrounds. They, like us, are ready to listen, learn and engage in thoughtful dialog on leadership, entrepreneurship and learning. ## Podcast Episodes Dropped Weekly on Friday Afternoons. Most recent episodes at the top. **C*****lick** on guest's name to listen to episode.* **(0)** [**After Hours Intro**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/38aa9d7e-7f8d-4cce-9485-ac43013b54f2/c25016fa-20b2-4d45-bf54-ac43013b54fe-954832df-3266-4480-8d4b-ac43013b7bab.mp4?invocationId=53d5e122-f500-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) (10-1-26) [**Emma Herzog**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/53bd4542-4ca6-4d3c-ab78-b4d900de8787/be458cb4-75f5-452f-a663-b4d900de8796-65736216-2ece-40cf-8612-b4d900dee8ff.mp4?invocationId=a1c6b25a-f8bf-f111-829d-12b1cb861383) is the Chief Academic Officer for the Boulder Valley School District in Colorado, which serves about 27,000 students across 56 schools. She stepped into the CAO role after previously serving as the Executive Director of Academics and the Executive Director of Early Childhood in Boulder Valley. Prior to moving to Colorado with her family, Emma was a bilingual teacher and instructional coach in Texas, and a dean of curriculum and instruction and principal in Massachusetts. Emma holds a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We spoke with Emma about her work at Boulder Valley, managing risk while working toward system-level change, and how her identity impacts the way she thinks about her work. (9-30-26) [**Tony DelaRosa**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/9b2a8e06-138a-48bd-a6a8-b4d8011d4b91/9a2209bc-d89d-4dc1-a0ba-b4d8011d4b9a-23802f6c-7308-4265-b2cd-b4d8011d988d.mp4?invocationId=63e6d0bd-4ebf-f111-829d-12b1cb861383) is a community-engaged sociologist of race and education at UW-Madison and is the author of "Teaching the Invisible Race: Embodying a Pro-Asian American Lens in Schools." His Spencer Foundation-funded research explores Hmong and Asian American policy advocacy and leadership regarding the passage of ethnic studies policy in Wisconsin. He was a former Director of Teacher Leadership at TFA Miami-Dade and co-founded the first Asian American recruitment and retention program at NYC Men Teach. We spoke with Tony about his work challenging Asian American invisibility as a policy advocate and sociologist, how he thinks about teaming and partnership in his work, and how his identity impacts how he engages with his work. (9-24-26) [**Danny Rojas**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/89055db1-eb19-4931-8bcc-b4d201594e97/b097ef70-062a-4dc8-94c0-b4d201594ea0-6f5d0d47-cfab-423e-8ecf-b4d2015991bf.mp4?invocationId=8754f363-b6ba-f111-829d-12b1cb861383) is a Program Transformation Specialist with US PREP at Texas Tech University who has spent more than 15 years designing and scaling programs that expand opportunity for historically underserved students. He has led across K-12, higher education and non-profit organizations serving as a middle school educator, district administrator, higher education and non-profit leader. He's held leadership roles at EMERGE, OneGoal, the Rennie Center, and the Career Pathways Initiative. Danny is a proud first-generation college graduate and holds degrees from Northeastern University, the University of Houston, and his doctorate in education leadership (Ed.L.D.) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We spoke with Danny about his work at US Prep and other organizations, how he thinks about teaming within and across organizations, and how his identity impacts the way he approaches his work. (9-17-26) [**Tanya Wright**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/f36f000a-f6c3-4495-8016-b4cb013704d7/2a418e0a-c4bb-4edd-bc65-b4cb013704e0-446df0b2-a2f9-4fcb-846b-b4cb013752a9.mp4?invocationId=2529a9ed-24b5-f111-829d-12b1cb861383) is a two-time Screen Actors Guild Award winner (Best Ensemble) for her role on Orange Is the New Black and a Harvard Graduate School of Education alum (M.Ed., Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology). She is the creator of the Hairiette of Harlem book series — a precursor to Hairiette University, a K–12 curriculum that grows with kids, from a picture book character in the early grades to real-world career readiness by high school. Hairiette University is available for licensing through schools and after-school programs. Tanya is the recipient of the Harvard Innovative Venture in Education Award (most promising early-stage venture) and the Education Entrepreneurship Fellowship. She will next appear as an actress in the upcoming feature film Killa. We spoke with Tanya about her work with the Hairiette series of books and Hairiette University, the similarities between being an actor and being an entrepreneur, and how her values and identity impact her work. (9-10-26) [**Justine Finn**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/8fce22ed-2aed-4ed1-9ea1-b4c401315de9/4d15eb6c-6840-4afe-8730-b4c401315df0-d01eae75-46be-447e-bde3-b4c40131b0a7.mp4?invocationId=29824999-a1af-f111-829d-12b1cb861383) is the founder of Relation-Shift, an organization partnering with K-12 schools to build healthier, safer, and more equitable communities. Her work focuses on gender and racial equity, healthy relationships, and violence prevention in schools globally. Justine previously taught in China and spent five years supporting immigrant women and girls facing gender-based violence at the Tahirih Justice Center in Washington, D.C. She holds an Ed.M. from the [**Harvard Graduate School of Education**](https://www.linkedin.com/school/hgse/), and founded Relation-Shift ten years ago after receiving HGSE's Entrepreneurship in Education Award. We talked with Justine about her work at Relation-Shift, her lessons learned from founding and growing her organization, and the benefit of embracing flexibility and different motivations when building teams. (4-24-26) The last episode of bit.ly/a608afterhours for the 25/26 academic year is up! We've had the privilege of engaging with such thoughtful, compelling, and impactful HGSE alumni throughout the year. [**Leslie Jiménez**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/327ea777-7886-4fca-a8f2-b43b0107551e/ba91e02c-7812-479a-aced-b43b01075529-6091ca9a-bfbf-41c0-a700-b43b010814b2.mp4?invocationId=1811cedd-e443-f111-829c-12c206d2fd2b) is a proud first-generation Mexican-American from Compton, California, and a former high school science teacher. She has dedicated her career to expanding opportunities for traditionally underserved students, including low-income, multilingual, Latinx, African American, and special education students. Leslie has worked across district and charter schools, K–12, and multiple cities (Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, and Cambridge) as a teacher, parent workshop coordinator, school transformation lead, school leader, and now serves as Director of Equity in Cambridge Public Schools. Leslie holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, an M.A. in Education Policy and Administration from Loyola Marymount University, and an Ed.L.D. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, along with teaching and administrative/superintendent credentials in California and Massachusetts. We spoke with Leslie about her experience as the founding Director of Equity in Cambridge Public Schools. We also discussed how her background as a proud first-generation Mexican American from Compton shapes how she shows up as an intrapreneurial, team-oriented collaborator by embedding herself across departments, aligning diverse schools around a shared equity vision, and sustaining honest, on-the-ground conversations that turn strategy into classroom practice. (4-17-26) [**Bruno Goncalves**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/05545478-125b-4af8-86af-b438015248cc/78e61399-1c54-4922-ad44-b438015248d4-9500f90f-40d5-4d87-ac7a-b4380152b14a.mp4?invocationId=e3855575-af41-f111-829c-12c206d2fd2b) is a 2023 Master’s graduate of the Educational Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is Global Program Strategist & Learning Experience Global Head for Education & Workforce Development at IBM’s SkillsBuild, the company’s flagship CSR program for workforce reskilling and upskilling. A former social entrepreneur, his venture Alia Social incubated and accelerated nonprofits to strengthen Brazil’s volunteering culture. He has worked on leadership development and social innovation at UNESCO, Johnson & Johnson, The Design Gym, and Fundação Vale, and designed an organizational development curriculum for CISV International, a peace education nonprofit. We spoke with Bruno about his experience leading IBM’s global SkillsBuild initiative, which provides free upskilling and reskilling through government and NGO partnerships. We also discussed how his background as a Brazilian social entrepreneur in the Global South shapes how he shows up as an “orchestrator” with partners—aligning on a shared vision and centering human needs. We ended with a discussion of the challenges he faces balancing global scale with local relevance, including allocating resources, managing a multicultural team, and adapting programs to diverse labor markets. (4-10-26) [**Brandon Foster**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/e9cc87be-d7f3-4f14-806c-b4380143b294/9e1bb946-563a-49c4-b363-b4380143b29b-12238b08-d0e9-4bcc-beb8-b4380143fed6.mp4?invocationId=03ebcbb6-a741-f111-829c-12c206d2fd2b) is a school leader, educator, and Harvard-trained practitioner whose work has spanned Dallas, Austin, St. Louis, Boston, and now Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he serves as principal of Irwin Elementary. Across each setting, he has focused on helping schools strengthen instruction, lead with purpose, and maintain high expectations for all students. Brandon is passionate about using data, strategy, and storytelling to turn belief into measurable results. We spoke with Brandon about his experience leading John S. Irwin Elementary. We also discussed how his faith, personal story of overcoming adversity, and identity as the only Black male principal in his district shape how he builds “relationships through excellence,” counters deficit mindsets, and uses storytelling to connect with staff, students, and families. We ended by hearing about the challenges that Brandon has faced shifting beliefs about what children can achieve, making timely leadership decisions, and partnering with the community to rewrite narratives and sustain a culture focused on student success. (4-3-26) [**Matthew Petersen** ](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/b135964d-e0fd-4e50-93c0-b42600dda2bb/e7349340-5c23-4099-b50d-b42600dda2c4-cd7f73bd-c08d-4593-a07c-b42600de03ea.mp4?invocationId=2c8730de-4e33-f111-829c-12c206d2fd2b)is a strategic senior leader with over two decades of experience in K–12 education, innovation, and personalized learning. As Chief Academic Officer at New Classrooms, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming teaching and learning, he leads the design and implementation of data-informed, technology-enabled models that help every student reach their full potential. He holds a Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, as well as a Master of Arts in Educational Policy and Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from The Ohio State University. We spoke with Matt about his experience at New Classrooms. We also discussed how his faith, service orientation, and identity as a white male shape how he engages with collaborators–when he steps back, when he takes a stance, and how he shows up as a partner. Finally, we discussed the challenges he faced redesigning and scaling innovative math classrooms during and after COVID, including rebuilding trust with stakeholders, adapting to diverse local contexts, and developing relationships and structures that can withstand disruption. (3-26-26) [**Mary Tamer**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/35265bec-9a5f-425a-b91c-b41f013c81a9/b6612732-5e6e-4f36-9a20-b41f013c81b2-ff447e43-1646-4cec-a10c-b41f013cfcf3.mp4?invocationId=7b6fe517-ff2d-f111-829c-12c206d2fd2b) is a strategic senior leader with over two decades of experience in Massachusetts education policy and the nonprofit sectors. She is the founder and executive director of MassPotential, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the success of all K-12 students across the Commonwealth. While leading two statewide coalitions, MassPotential’s mission is to catalyze educational improvement so that all students can excel in the classroom, in careers, and in life. A former Boston School Committee member, Mary is a recognized advocate for equity-based education reform. She holds an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Education Policy and Management and earned a certificate in education finance from Georgetown University. We spoke with Mary about her work at MassPotential, a nonprofit she founded to lead statewide coalitions focused on evidence-based literacy instruction and academic equity in Massachusetts. We also discussed how her sense of identity as the daughter of Middle Eastern, bilingual, working-class parents—and her lived experience of inequity as a “free lunch kid” in Boston Public Schools—impacted how she came to the work, and how her inclusive, data-driven, coalition-building approach to leadership impacts her thinking and strategy working with diverse organizations, educators, and families around solvable crises like early reading and fair graduation standards. (3-12-26) [**Almi Abeyta**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/df14d915-5018-46a9-9a0c-b41f010132a5/819b167c-9da2-49dc-b76d-b41f010132b8-e478ca15-b30d-4a63-9138-b41f0101858d.mp4?invocationId=020510fe-e02d-f111-829c-12c206d2fd2b) is an educator and district leader with 29 years of experience in urban public education. She has served as a teacher, principal, Assistant Superintendent in Boston, Santa Fe, and Somerville, and is currently Superintendent of Chelsea Public Schools. Her work centers on instructional improvement and educational equity, and she has been recognized nationally by organizations including the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, and Latinos for Education. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and two master’s degrees and a doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We spoke with Almi about her leadership as Superintendent of Chelsea Public Schools. We also discussed how her identity as a Latina, a “military brat,” and the granddaughter of pioneering Latino educators shapes her belief in education as a vehicle for transformation and her fierce commitment to immigrant and Latino students. We explored how her community-centered, equity-driven approach to leadership—taking an inquiry and listening orientation, pushing decisions to those closest to students, and building trust through concrete actions like “trust visits,” collaborative budgeting, and crisis response—impacts her thinking and strategy in navigating COVID, fiscal shortfalls, and system-wide change. (3-9-26) [**Xiaohang (Lisa) Luo** ](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/48825824-24f4-4500-8989-b40a0155036e/429f0d31-738a-4aac-bda4-b40a01550378-5e4bbf56-ef8f-40d0-8009-b40a0155513e.mp4?invocationId=ce909867-8c1d-f111-829c-12c206d2fd2b)is a doctoral researcher in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania and a visiting scholar at Harvard. A former school principal in China, her research focuses on adolescent leadership development and how AI is shaping educational leadership and governance in schools. We spoke with Xiaohang about her focus on adolescent leadership as something that often emerges through quiet, everyday acts of care, listening, and helping peers feel seen rather than through overt displays of power. Xiaohang also discussed how history and past experience should guide current change efforts in schools. Finally, we heard about Xiaohang’s research on AI in education, where she suggests AI-generated data and recommendations must still be ethically governed and interpreted by human leaders who remain ultimately responsible for decisions. (3-2-26) [**Elyseé (aka Michele) Shannon**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/97e3aedc-df88-42ac-a0da-b40100f819cc/7e7408a7-223c-4745-9184-b40100f819d8-65c6bc7c-5af8-4be9-94c0-b40100f86c35.mp4?invocationId=a7b5f5fe-4916-f111-829c-12c206d2fd2b) is an educator, system leader, and designer of adult learning and district transformation. With over 30 years in public education—as teacher, principal, Chief of Schools, and national and international leadership developer—she works at the intersection of equity, instructional transformation, and spiritual clarity in leadership. Her work bridges theory and practice, research and lived experience, and the private courage required for public change. We spoke with Elyseé about her decades-long career in public education, her current work with the HGSE Deeper Learning Initiative, her experience holding "number 2" positions across her different leadership experiences, and how her developing sense of identity has impacted, and is impacted, by her work. --- (2-23-26) [**Elisa Guerra**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/827fc80b-4957-4a43-b6e5-b3fa01480bed/351ef3e7-e5cf-4a10-9cf1-b3fa01480bf7-3894efa9-56a2-4bf5-bb05-b3fa0148772b.mp4?invocationId=22acaa50-f510-f111-829c-12c206d2fd2b) founded a network of schools in her native Mexico and Latin America. She was named “Best Educator in Latin America” by the Inter-American Development Bank and was a member of UNESCO’s High International Commission on the Futures of Education. Elisa is also an international speaker, consultant, and author. She has published more than 25 books and textbooks. Her work was featured in an Al Jazeera documentary entitled “Mexico: The Power of Early Education.” Elisa holds a master’s degree in education from HGSE. We spoke with Elisa about her portfolio, managing work and life transitions, the emancipatory power of education, and the importance of prioritizing happiness. --- (2-16-26) [**Mariana Sanz de Santamaria**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/5ed8dbdf-4c7c-4283-a8bf-b3f40138b3fe/02a93ba3-0aaf-410d-b59a-b3f40138b406-798feb69-1427-4787-b782-b3f401390928.mp4?invocationId=9ff7b3e6-320c-f111-829c-12c206d2fd2b) is the founder and director of Poderosas Colombia, a national NGO advancing sexual and reproductive rights through comprehensive sexuality education. After studying law at Universidad de los Andes, she joined Teach For Colombia and taught in Barú, where she launched a program that reduced teen pregnancy by 77% in one year. She later earned a master's degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and returned to expand Poderosas, which now reaches 31,000 people across 35 communities. Her mission: education as a tool for justice and gender equity. We spoke with Mariana about her work with Poderosas, how she came to the work while teaching in a small Caribbean community, and the importance of taking an inquiry approach when diagnosing a problem and building networks. --- (11-20-25) **TF Podcast** | [**Calvin Reddick Jr**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/aecfdcbb-995e-44df-8703-b39e0032d390/35e10494-2a84-479e-a8fe-b39e0032d399-69c59a25-b939-4d0f-abb0-b39e00333835.mp4?invocationId=47a6537f-19c8-f011-8296-12c206d2fd2b)., a current HGSE EdLD student, comes with 25 years of experience in Duval County Public Schools (Jacksonville, FL) as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and turnaround executive director. Calvin is an aspiring superintendent and serves as a teaching fellow for A608. **Victor Lee,** a current HGSE EdLD student with extensive experience in business and ed‑tech, shifted to education because of professional and parental experiences. He now serves as a teaching fellow for A608 and a newly elected Newton, Massachusetts school committee member. We spoke with Calvin and Victor about their experience serving as TFs for the course--experiencing the course material a second time, this time with a focus on the pedagogical and administrative aspects of the course. The episode closed with Calvin and Victor's advice for students about trust, context, and making thinking visible--core concepts from the course. --- (11-13-25) [**Andrea LaRocca**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/4d57593e-cfa8-4400-b4db-b3970140bcc7/7a05956c-f8e8-45f3-831f-b3970140bcd0-105be65a-7692-4a6a-897d-b39701411416.mp4?invocationId=dc22d9e9-15c8-f011-8296-12c206d2fd2b) leads partnerships and regional engagements for Next Education Workforce, an initiative out of [Arizona State University](https://www.linkedin.com/company/arizona-state-university/) that supports school systems in implementing team-based staffing models. Andrea started her career as a high school English teacher and has since led professional learning and educator development across the education sector— at nonprofits, in higher education, and in districts. Before joining ASU, Andrea led professional learning for Denver Public Schools. She's a proud member of EdLD Cohort 5. We spoke with Andrea about helping schools and districts redesign educator roles through team-based approaches that support collaboration and teacher autonomy. Andrea also shared how various aspects of her identity—as a woman, a new mom, and an outside partner—shape her focus on listening, inclusion, and thoughtful leadership in her work. --- (11-6-25) [**Junia Kim**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/dd4e9ce2-25b8-4537-ac6b-b3900116ca52/3dd7755a-458d-47fa-b034-b3900116ca60-0a6eacd3-2d54-45fb-8a7d-b390011773e5.mp4?invocationId=5b246836-8dbd-f011-8296-12c206d2fd2b) is the Programs and Evaluation Director for Hayward Promise Neighborhoods, a $ 30M federal grant initiative led by CSU East Bay (hitting 2 years next week!). In this role, she supports external partners and the local school district in collective impact, especially concerning strategies to increase kindergarten readiness, lower chronic absenteeism, and streamline college and workforce development. She also leads her own local nonprofit, Seen52, founded in 2021 to support the transitions and stability for older foster youth in Alameda County. We spoke with Junia about working with multiple diverse stakeholders towards collective impact, the importance of clarity around shared values, and how her identity impacts her work. --- (10-30-25) [**Jess Gordon**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/365aa944-43f0-4c33-9aad-b389010965ce/be1d46f3-469a-4866-b98e-b389010965da-82832057-2cf1-4262-bb04-b3890109b912.mp4?invocationId=053100b4-07b8-f011-8296-12c206d2fd2b) is the former Director of Clinical Strategy & Performance at Accolade (previously PlushCare) and is currently transitioning into a new role in digital health strategy and operations. Jess’s work focuses on the clinician experience, with emphasis on creating community and investing in measures to help mitigate clinician burnout. Besides her professional work, Jess is an affiliate at Harvard Medical School and Master's Capstone mentor in The Center for Bioethics. Jess has a Master's in Bioethics from Harvard Medical School. We spoke with Jess about how intentionally fostering community and support within virtual teams leads to more effective collaboration and care, the ways her background in education shapes her approach to leadership and team-building in digital health, and the value of nontraditional career paths. --- (10-23-25) [**Alex Seeskin**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/7d19abde-d14c-4fd6-a78e-b38200fa22aa/dc37463e-0271-4901-be3a-b38200fa22b9-a5420c3a-58d0-4aa9-b5b8-b38200fb3112.mp4?invocationId=b27c5481-7fb2-f011-8296-12c206d2fd2b) is the Founder and CEO of Schoolhouse Analytics, an independent consulting firm, and a Professor of Practice in Public Policy at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Previously, he was the Founding Executive Director of the University of Chicago’s To&Through Project, which strives to create equitable outcomes by helping educators use data for inquiry and impact, and before that, he was a high school English teacher in Chicago. Alex has a Doctor of Education Leadership from HGSE and was a member of Cohort 3. We spoke with Alex about how understanding an organization’s structure and culture can support more effective collaboration and partnerships, the importance of working at both the classroom and boardroom levels, and how authenticity helps with relationship building. --- (10-16-25) [**Caitlin Dube**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/479bc2ed-e0b7-4414-bce2-b37b010be311/9de30e5e-adc9-4c38-b895-b37b010be31b-d3cc4f41-8050-449a-941b-b37b010c3c44.mp4?invocationId=6eee7442-07ad-f011-8296-12c206d2fd2b) is a former teacher turned school leader, and founder of Caira Education, Inc., a consent-education non-profit, and Caitlin Dube Consulting. She builds consent-centered school cultures and helps educational organizations transform through curriculum creation, equity-based data practices, strategic leadership consulting, and school design. Her work bridges classroom practice and systems change, grounded in the belief that learning should help us become more fully human. We spoke with Caitlin about her work building consent-centered school cultures, consulting on school design, and running for Cambridge School Committee. Caitlin also shares thoughts on technology’s impact on student learning, unlearning traditional practices, and the value of identity-driven, collaborative leadership. --- (10-9-25) [**Vernon-James Riley**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/a32a5fec-9ed8-47c3-a81f-b374011b6046/a1d2f6d8-1655-4c2e-9237-b374011b604f-a83105f8-3d06-47e0-a279-b374011bada3.mp4?invocationId=cc0daacf-8ea7-f011-8296-12c206d2fd2b) is the Founder and Chief Education Officer of VJR Consulting Firm, specializing in transformative instructional leadership for educators nationwide. A nationally recognized education leader, former middle school principal, and Harvard Ed.L.D. graduate, he is known for his passionate, results-driven approach that improves student achievement. We spoke with Vernon about the challenges and strategies of Ed entrepreneurship, the impact of his identity and background on his work, and what he has learned about building sustainable change within, with, and across educational systems. --- (9-25-25) [**Marissa Alberty**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/d83a796a-2bca-4cd2-a274-b366007ee4d0/e1dc5fbc-2e70-445d-b127-b366007ee4e0-e7d6ff97-3447-4156-b1be-b366007f20a7.mp4?invocationId=04162bcd-3e9c-f011-8296-12c206d2fd2b) is the Vice President of Network Development at Educators for Excellence, where she leads a national coalition advocating for public education at the federal level. Over her 15-year career, she has been a teacher, chief of staff in both nonprofit and government sectors (including the U.S. Department of Education), as well as an education advocate, coach, program director, consultant, and policy expert. Marissa was also a teaching fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she earned both her master’s and doctorate. We spoke with Marissa bout her work at Educators for Excellence, how she came to the work after a recent stint in the government sector, and the importance of relationships in building coalitions and supporting collective action. --- (9-18-25) [**Bobbi Macdonald**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/bf1f82a9-5738-4f63-b698-b35f00faef19/321743b6-6604-4ee2-8d74-b35f00faef24-55a24cc1-29c6-492d-8b15-b35f00fb53dd.mp4?invocationId=f7ef9101-fe96-f011-8296-12c206d2fd2b) is a former early childhood educator and school founder committed to transforming education so every child is known, loved, and inspired. As Senior Partner at Education Reimagined, she leads the national Learner-Centered Ecosystem Lab. Bobbi also co-founded City Neighbors Schools in Baltimore and has advocated for learner-centered education for over 20 years. She holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership from Harvard, is a mom of 4, and enjoys music and family time in Chicago. We spoke with Bobbi about her work at Education Reimagined, why and how she came to the work, and the importance of teaming (vs. teams) in developing flexible and responsive learning organizations. --- (9-11-25) [**Jess Rose**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/faddd08c-a973-45bd-a11c-b35701187315/56e2f83c-9d51-46ed-b093-b3570118731e-184ce7f2-3ecc-4e9d-97a9-b3570118d072.mp4?invocationId=77b2a3be-c390-f011-8296-12c206d2fd2b) is a former ELA and arts teacher in the Boston area who has held leadership roles in education, including Assistant Superintendent and her current role as Senior Program Officer at the Barr Foundation. She has led initiatives in deeper learning, antiracist practices, and pandemic response, and now, at the Barr Foundation, supports high schools across New England to create more equitable opportunities for all students. Jess holds degrees from Brown and Harvard, and loves finding a cozy spot with a sweet treat. We spoke with Jess about her work at the Barr Foundation, how she came to the work, and the value of collaborative networks and lifelong learning in creating sustainable impact. --- (4-24-25) [**Beth Cocuzza**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/9e82d1c0-2684-412f-a3fa-b2cd00f30d87/42cc66e3-067a-4f9c-86a2-b2cd00f30d91-228fc01d-f738-44cd-a412-b2cd00f35cf0.mp4?invocationId=c97622ef-3f24-f011-8295-12c206d2fd2b) is the Founder and Principal of Almavina Strategic Partners, where she works with mission-driven organizations to diagnose and treat toxic culture and supports the development of emerging women leaders. Prior to founding Almavina, Beth had a successful career spanning nearly three decades in the education industry, most recently serving as Executive Vice President at Student Achievement Partners and Chief of Staff at Achievement First Public Charter Schools. Beth was a student in A608 in Spring 2021. In Fall 2022, she submitted her final paper from the class for a formal part of the interview process that landed her the Chief of Staff role. --- (4-16-25) [**Navroz Billimoria**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/59b51a85-63e7-47e9-9f1b-b2c70125cc9d/710628f1-6da4-4d49-b4f9-b2c70125ccac-24aeeacb-8a67-4ac1-ae93-b2c701268507.mp4?invocationId=844c61cb-a21f-f011-8295-12c206d2fd2b) is the Head of School and the Secondary School Principal at BD Somani International School (BDSIS), in Mumbai, India. Navroz joined the school as a Mathematics and Theory of Knowledge Teacher, and is a deep believer in the power of holistic education. He is in his fourteenth year at BDSIS. Navroz has undergraduate and graduate degrees from UPenn, and graduated from the School Leadership Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His avocations lie in horology, reading, and singing. We spoke with Navroz about his work at BDSIS, what brought him to the work (including a brilliant anecdote of a chance encounter), and how respect plays an important role in developing an effective team and a nurturing culture. --- (4-10-25) [**Judy Touzin**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/1b310d0d-cb7a-4c3e-bd88-b2c000678ac2/ee698fb2-0b48-4870-9a8d-b2c000678aca-8eb2ab23-b55b-4f5e-8eba-b2c00067f295.mp4?invocationId=6a5183ac-c119-f011-8295-12c206d2fd2b) works as a strategic consultant with Dr. Irvin Scott, founder of Harvard University’s Leadership Initiative for Faith and Education (L.I.F.E.), and with the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBKA). Prior to attending Harvard, Judy served as a teacher and principal with the New York City Department of Education and as the Vice President of Leadership Development at IDEA Public Schools in Texas. She is committed to creating affirming spaces for Black boys to learn and thrive and to ensuring social impact leaders have the skills to realize their mission. Outside of work, you can often find Judy training for her next half marathon. Judy graduated from Harvard's EdLD program in 2023. We spoke with Judy about her current work with L.I.F.E and MBKA, what brought her to the work, and how strong facilitation and affirming spaces can help align and galvanize stakeholders towards a common goal. --- (4-3-25) [**Chris Jaeger**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/8a2a6070-51fa-4b87-89f6-b2b50040c4d6/c86ccec3-15b6-458c-b757-b2b50040c4e0-68780f54-fee4-4454-b328-b2b500413731.mp4?invocationId=51a2fa3b-0911-f011-8294-12b1cb861383) is a pediatric urologist at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. In addition to his clinical role, he serves as the program director of the school's Urology residency program. His research centers on the development of surgical ability in a competency-based framework, which began as a master’s student at the Harvard Medical School’s Master in Medical Education program. We spoke with Chris about his work at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, how his entrepreneurial spirit led him to the work, and how he's working to develop an organizational and professional culture that supports and values a [growth (vs. fixed) mindset](https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/edcast/18/03/mindset-and-motivation). --- (3-26-25) [**Aramide Kayode**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/8c4f2680-2e6a-43da-aba5-b2ab016949f4/e102a1b5-deb0-4255-83fb-b2ab016949fc-9cffcd79-3ec8-4052-8e38-b2ab0169cba5.mp4?invocationId=551ddc02-c609-f011-8294-12b1cb861383) is the founder of Talent Mine Academy—a free school that provides 12 years of high-quality education to children in low-income communities in Africa. Her free school specifically caters to children who are unable to afford the less than $1 public school tuition, and through their educational model, Talent Mine is raising these children to use the academic concepts they learn to solve the pressing problems in their communities. Aramide is a 2021 graduate of HGSE, and her vision is to use education as a tool to help children in low-income communities fight poverty and solve the world's biggest problems. We spoke with Aramide about her work with Talent Mine Academy, how she arrived at the current operating model, and the importance of relationships and commitment in developing a mission-driven learning organization. Mentioned in this episode: - Battilana, J., & Casciaro, T. (2021). *Power for all: How it really works and why it’s everyone’s business*. Simon & Schuster. - Podcast: [Planet Money: How Specialization can lead to burnout](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000700284959) --- (3-13-25) [**Ola J. Friday**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/5967fc94-ac74-4544-b07a-b2a2010d31e4/86f4009e-d22c-467f-b85b-b2a2010d31f9-b77643ea-05c3-444d-800b-b2a2010dabfe.mp4?invocationId=fcc7e3ca-8202-f011-8294-12b1cb861383) is the inaugural Executive Director of The Early Educator Investment Collaborative. Dr. Friday leads the funder collaboratives' efforts to help early childhood educators achieve their full potential as professionals and to ensure that all children are prepared for success in school and life. The Collaborative's vision is to eliminate the opportunity gap among children and ensure that every child makes lasting gains in cognitive, social, and emotional development through their early care and education experience. Ola is a graduate of the Doctor of Education Leadership program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We spoke with Ola about her work at the Investment Collaborative, how she came to the work, and the role of risk, collaboration, and partnerships in supporting innovation and investment. --- (3-6-25) [**Kentaro Iwasaki**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/ff30b029-394a-483a-be55-b29b013b981b/15c714c4-0ff5-46e2-b079-b29b013b9824-1a850e1d-3166-4439-8404-b29b013c138c.mp4?invocationId=cf012056-1afd-ef11-8294-12b1cb861383) founded Concentric Math to improve the outcomes and experiences in math for students furthest from justice. He trains educators and leaders in an instructional model from Stanford called complex instruction to mitigate power and status dynamics that get in the way of student engagement and learning, and he also partners with districts to dismantle tracking in math. Kentaro is a graduate of the Doctor of Education Leadership program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We spoke with Kentaro about his work with Concentric Math, why he calls it his life's work, how we came to this work, and how his thinking about teams and teaming influences his current work and has evolved over the course of his career. --- (2-27-25) [**Steven Chambers**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/af35655d-145f-4b59-8836-b29401054719/4c3fb89e-f3c4-434c-9342-b29401054726-366a7245-6f01-4e4e-b7f6-b2940105bcf1.mp4?invocationId=455f9479-7ef7-ef11-8294-12b1cb861383) is Senior Advisor to New York City's Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives in the Eric Adams Administration. In this role, he gives direct support to the City University of New York (CUNY), the NYC Children's Cabinet, and the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. An Ohio native and proud HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) alum, Steven is a 2021 graduate of the Doctor of Education Leadership program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We spoke with Steven about his work as Senior Advisor for a Deputy Mayor in the Adams Administration, how he came to the work, and how his thinking about teaming, culture, and return on investment (ROI) has evolved since his time in the NYC Department of Education. --- (2-20-25) [**Simba Gandari**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/e7d0b37e-80fc-4d27-8b41-b28d0144476c/75c5cf3e-c039-447a-9f6d-b28d0144477b-2c2a7886-f952-451c-8c25-b28d014488cd.mp4?invocationId=446f8e6e-1ef2-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) currently serves as Director of Higher Education Relationships at Tulsa Innovation Labs. In his role, he helps drive Tulsa’s transformation into a world-class tech hub, building on his extensive experience in higher education, nonprofits, and strategic partnerships. Tulsa Innovation Labs has received over $90 million in federal grants over the last three years, and Simba manages the nonprofit’s partnerships among its higher education partners in Oklahoma. Simba received his EdM from HGSE in 2023. We spoke with Simba about his work in Tulsa, how and why he came to work in Tulsa, and how he thinks about acting as a broker, engaging different stakeholders with differing priorities around a common goal. --- (2-13-25) [**Sarah Friedman**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/2a788ed7-bbd7-47e7-9100-b28601296ed5/86e21d27-585f-4ad1-b034-b28601296edc-d652ccdb-f747-41e1-a905-b2860129b7d0.mp4?invocationId=bafc067b-91ec-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) has worked in education in Rhode Island since 2000, beginning her career with six schools in the Providence School District. She co-founded The Learning Community, a K-8 charter school in Central Falls, RI, where she served as co-director for 18 years, helping the school grow from 100 to 600 students. Currently, she is working for the Mayor of Central Falls to improve the city's schools after 33 years of state control and decades of being the lowest-performing school district in the state. She graduated from the EdLD in 2023. We spoke with Sarah about her work in Central Falls, how she came to the role and how her identity manifests in the work, and the importance of engaging local constituencies in decision-making. --- (2-6-25) [**Mary Wall**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/5c587294-bd8d-49be-907c-b27e016b8f5a/5690fd55-77d5-45e8-9b9f-b27e016b8f64-d214e021-d905-4e88-a67c-b27e016bffa5.mp4?invocationId=967f73e1-6ce6-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) led K-12 policy and budgeting at the US Department of Education. She also led national school reopening efforts and served as Chief of Staff for the White House COVID-19 Response Team. She also held positions in the Obama White House and Department of Education. Beyond federal service, Mary has served as Chief of Staff for the NYC Department of Ed and director of instructional strategy at BPS. She holds an EdLD degree from HGSE. Mary lives in Washington DC, but is originally from Abington, MA. We spoke with Mary about her government and system-level work, the current educational context, how her identity and experiences led her to the work, and how to think about teams and teaming in challenging and uncertain times. --- (11-21-24) [**Rebecca Grainger**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/7920d85e-6a9c-44b1-b70e-b23000d16497/e0b170e1-2047-4d60-b033-b23000d164a2-ac015b64-797a-4ee9-9c39-b23000d1eb5a.mp4?invocationId=a8b45b1e-d0a8-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) is the Senior Advisor for Youth and Schools to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. In this role, she works to create the conditions through policy and practice for the youth of Boston to experience a rigorous and inspiring education. Prior to joining the Wu administration, Rebecca led the instructional design for Black Futures Lab’s Black Policy Institute. For over 20 years, Rebecca has created learning spaces designed to interrogate systems which bolster inequities and our contributions to their continued propagation. Rebecca holds her doctorate in Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We spoke with Rebecca about her work with the City of Boston, how her identity and experiences led her to the work, and how she thinks about "leading from the middle"--teaming and building partnerships across diverse organizations and constituencies. --- (11-14-24) [**Mary Jo Madda**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/21ec705a-bd1b-4307-a934-b229011f84f1/fd5e4135-e270-458e-8e95-b229011f84fb-9e7792d3-f60b-42f5-9463-b229011fef97.mp4?invocationId=35c0f333-77a3-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) is a senior program manager at [Google.org](http://google.org/), where she works on programs and research regarding education and technology. Previously, she was a director at EdSurge, a member of the MIT Scratch team, and a STEM classroom teacher and administrator. Mary Jo is a recent doctoral graduate from the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies. She also has an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Northwestern University. She was featured on the Forbes "30 Under 30" list in 2016, and has been published in the Association for Computing Machinery Journal. We spoke with Mary Jo about her work at Google.org, how she came to the work, why the world would be a better place if everyone had to work in the public education system for a spell, and how she thinks about building teams and partnerships within a large organization like Google. --- (11-7-24) [**Andrew Frishman**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/c7914eb2-b1a4-4d6c-948f-b223011453c9/c665fbac-dfc5-47a2-a6c3-b223011453d4-5f804fff-6e27-4a2b-b03a-b2230114ae8c.mp4?invocationId=8f767aae-869f-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) is the Co-Executive Director of Big Picture Learning, where he leads efforts to expand the network and implement innovative educational programs worldwide. His journey into transformational education began in 2002 when he became an Advisor at The Met High School in Providence, Rhode Island, supporting students through their educational journeys. He later moved to California to help grow The Met Sacramento High School. These experiences helped develop his belief that student-interest-driven, real-world learning is crucial for individual success and community well-being. Andrew earned a Doctorate in Education Leadership from HGSE and lives in Cambridge with his wife and two children. We spoke with Andrew about the underlying principles and mission of Big Picture Learning, what the work looks like in practice, how his identity factors into how he approaches the work, and how collaboration and partnership, core to the work, have helped spread the work. --- (10-31) [**Sharad Vivek Sagar**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/b9c288cc-4945-479e-befb-b21d00ddd144/c3c98ec2-0f78-40fa-8891-b21d00ddd14f-4acb9c3e-1927-4cec-9a2f-b21d00de384c.mp4?invocationId=e87bb7f9-e799-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383)**,** Founder and CEO of Dexterity Global, is a celebrated social entrepreneur and youth icon. Raised in the small towns and villages of India, he launched Dexterity Global at the age of 16. Dexterity has enabled its scholars and leaders to earn over ₹2 billion ($24 million) in scholarships and win numerous international awards, while also serving as India's ambassadors on global platforms and launching leadership initiatives. Recognized by The Telegraph for "building the future of India," Dexterity Global exemplifies Sharad’s commitment to education and leadership. Sharad has degrees from Tufts University and Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he received full scholarships. We spoke with Sharad about his work with Dexterity Global, how and why he founded the organization at the age of 16, how his identity influenced the founding and the mission of the organization, and how his approach to collaboration, partnership, and teaming has evolved over the years. --- (10-24) [**Steven Cohen**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/0d28f19b-b846-4eb8-b662-b2160111c21c/f814aeec-fef4-420f-ac88-b2160111c225-528fe143-0c0d-4dfe-8ff5-b21601120aae.mp4?invocationId=be0dbab6-8294-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383), a professor at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, is well known for empowering leaders to communicate with confidence and authority. Steven's work examines the communication behaviors of effective leaders, with a particular focus on executive presence. Steven is also the author of two books, Public Speaking: The Path to Success and Lessons from the Podium: Public Speaking as a Leadership Art, and editor of Speaking for Success: Readings and Resources, a collection of essential articles on the art of public speaking. Steven has a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. We spoke with Steven about his teaching and overall work helping people become effective communicators, how he came to this work, and how teams and teaming overlap with his research and work. --- (10-10-24) [**Kimmy Wolf**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/40586f59-616e-4f5a-8b4f-b20700e3ca26/d71c7b56-19c2-4a0f-8be4-b20700e3ca30-893ca4cc-d7da-4c8d-9851-b20700e41c9e.mp4?invocationId=dfbbf632-a188-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) is an HGSE alum, educational entrepreneur, and parenting strategist, as well as the author of Talk with Her: A Dad's Essential Guide to Raising Healthy, Confident, and Capable Daughters from Penguin Random House. A specialist in functional sex education and healthy relationship instruction, Kimmy speaks to parents and students nationwide and regularly shares insights on Instagram at @SexEducationforParents. Currently, she has a new online education platform in the works: Mindful technology use and framing. We spoke with Kimmy about her recent book, Talk with Her, her experience as an entrepreneur, and the role that teaming and collaboration has played in her various endeavors. --- (10-3-24) [**Brian Barnes**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/6e021d6a-7aea-4059-9845-b1ff0013034e/9196714d-d839-4488-9c95-b1ff00130359-df53b6f7-9887-4074-819a-b1ff001340e9.mp4?invocationId=c298bf78-ee81-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) is the founder of Reclamation Next, where he plays a pivotal role in empowering Black leaders to reclaim their authentic leadership and drive transformative change within their communities. Brian is also the Co-founder and inaugural CEO of TandemEd, a media and community mobilization company conceived during his doctoral studies at HGSE. Brian hails from Huntsville, Alabama. He holds a B.S. from Morehouse College, MDiv from Andover Newton Theological Seminary, and an EdM and EdLD from HGSE. Brian is married to Dr. Keishana Barnes, an educational psychologist, and together, they have three children. We spoke with Brian about his work at Reclamation Next and TandemEd, how his personal experiences led him to his current work, and his approach to effecting change. "It's not about trying to change people's minds, it's more about trying to give people access to knowledge and information that allows them to do the same analysis and critical reflection". --- (9-26-24) [**Charli Kemp**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/6d7e0ac5-2a15-4d7b-b621-b1f90146345f/04d7673a-4179-4a3b-b619-b1f90146346e-8a7795a4-18d0-4e31-8b92-b1f9014693fd.mp4?invocationId=414e8dc7-d27d-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) advocates that music is a universal language capable of addressing societal issues and is dedicated to curating transformative musical-learning experiences that propel positive systemic change through her organization, Change The Tune. Before Change The Tune, Charli developed socio-emotional frameworks at Green Dot Public Schools and served as a teacher as a Teach for America Fellow. She holds an MBA from the University of Southern California, an MA in Teaching from Pace, a BA from Spelman College, and recently completed her doctorate in education leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We spoke with Charli about her work at Change The Tune, how she came to the work, and how her experiences as an intrapreneur at Green Dot and entrepreneur in her current role influenced her thinking about teams and teaming. --- (9-19-24) [**Ben Lewis**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/26e99879-812b-454a-b168-b1f2012c1cd7/1ca760d6-6242-421c-9c17-b1f2012c1ce2-ceefdf1f-13fa-4603-bbfc-b1f2012c830d.mp4?invocationId=649fc4ba-4578-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) is Vice President of Innovation and Learning at Purpose Built Communities, where he leads the Purpose Built Communities Solutions Lab and coordinates organizational learning. Ben's background includes studying leadership and community development at Harvard Graduate School of Education, significantly improving school performance at Strive Preparatory Schools, and leading impactful programs at KIPP and Northeast High School. He holds a doctorate from Harvard and degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. We spoke with Ben about his work at Purpose Built Communities, how he came to the work, and how his thinking about teaming and purpose-built teams has changed over the course of his career. --- (9-12-24) [**Beth Rabbitt**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/38657dc2-cf28-446a-bf3e-b1eb0132d603/a36669ef-2a76-4e31-968f-b1eb0132d60d-8430613c-8b95-4258-a51d-b1eb01332853.mp4?invocationId=f38eb1b9-c872-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) is the Chief Executive Officer of The Learning Accelerator, a national nonprofit building an education field where practitioners, leaders, policymakers, and technologists learn faster and change systems together to ensure every child reaches their unique potential. She is a nationally recognized expert in teaching and learning innovation, and brings over two decades of experience as an educator, researcher, and consultant. We spoke with Beth about her work at The Learning Accelerator, how she came to the work, the hard work of shifting an organization’s strategy and culture, and what she has learned about teams and teaming over the course of her career. --- (9-5-24) [**Kelvin Roldán**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/44078fba-1eed-4d29-b0b7-b1e4012c45ec/4daf7a1f-8606-4823-b66c-b1e4012c45fa-d79ed782-20f8-484a-a21e-b1e4012ca4b4.mp4?invocationId=9bc82632-456d-ef11-8293-12b1cb861383) is a visiting lecturer in Education at Brown University. Kelvin just stepped down from his role as deputy commissioner for system transformation at the Rhode Island Department of Education, where he was responsible for the state intervention in Providence Public Schools and oversaw district and school improvement, multilingual learner education, special education, and various other departments. Kelvin is a graduate of the EdLD program. We spoke with Kelvin about his work in Providence, how he came to the work in early 2020, the significant pivot he had to make when the COVID-19 pandemic struck a few months into his tenure, and what he has learned about teams and teaming over the course of his career. Also, check out the [CEPR study](https://ride.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur806/files/2024-08/HGSE%20CEPR%20-%20PPSD%20Review%20-%20Summer%202024.pdf) of the Providence Public Schools reforms. --- (4-25-24) [**Morgan Camu**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/d75db92e-86e7-4484-bd0b-b160012bbd82/61ce2b5e-7125-44e5-82f1-b160012bbd90-6a843597-33b6-441d-a0ef-b160012c219f.mp4?invocationId=630fbdf8-8a05-ef11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) is the Head of Programs at [Outschool.org](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__Outschool.org&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=Sbh5yOsOOo4CrFj9QW5nOGraHcACt9IbXD5lOhjofSA&m=scDQbx7QnW-mGKxgBISuuQRt6aNa0AW0VEo9MzH3Yu9Mq5arBhsTpwKHYiNrTizz&s=e8Zzm5QS8RKqxVW_z9eUACSKrgS-gGyPf639GN71PfE&e=), a nonprofit that partners with families and communities to nurture a child’s love of learning. She has designed and delivered both human-centered and tech-enabled solutions at district, state, and national levels as well as in the for-profit space. She began her career as a high school science teacher in rural North Carolina. We spoke with Morgan about her work at Outschool.org, how she came to the work after holding leadership roles across the formal education sector, and what she’s learned about teams and teaming over the course of her career. --- (4-18-24) [**Tyler Thigpen**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/1e5403a9-1928-4973-aa88-b1580124d868/f710265b-0abb-4d69-a8a4-b1580124d875-a3533ccb-1383-4c0c-9510-b158012523bf.mp4?invocationId=84ce983c-3eff-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) co-founded and currently serves as CEO of The Forest School and the Institute for Self-Directed Learning, and is Academic Director at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Tyler hails from Georgia and has had a diverse career in education. He has held roles in various schools and nonprofits across the nation, including founding partner at Transcend, focused on school redesign and while at Transcend, and co-founder of initiatives like MENTOR Georgia and Transforming Teaching at Harvard. Tyler has authored articles on education in major publications and holds advanced degrees from Harvard and the University of British Columbia. We spoke with Tyler about his innovative work at the Forest School, how his identity and early experience with education influenced his work, and how his thinking about teaming and partnerships--how he works and the curricula and experiences that he designs, has evolved over the course of his career. --- (4-11-24) [**Carmen Williams**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/1cd5d10e-4e95-4b44-8e46-b15201001604/71b4f36a-f66a-4b5c-ad64-b15201001612-690e83f2-8477-4fb5-a28a-b15201012d68.mp4?invocationId=d6a862c3-74fa-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Innovation in a Massachusetts public school district and the co-chair of the Data Wise in Action Program. Carmen brings over 20 years of experience to this work as an elementary teacher, building principal, central office leader, and university instructor. Carmen believes that quality education for each student is an act of justice and has committed to providing educators with structures and tools that advance equity. Adam Parrott-Sheffer is a former award-winning special education teacher, principal, and district administrator for early childhood and multilingual learners who has worked in neighborhood, charter, and independent schools for almost two decades. Adam currently works with rural, urban, and suburban school and system leaders globally to improve learning through data, design leadership pathways with special attention to entry, and successfully execute strategy. He is also the strategy advisor to Harvard’s Data Wise Project and co-chair of the Data Wise in Action Institute. We spoke with Carmen and Adam about their current work engaging with system-level change, how they came to this work, how to build capacity for collaboration, and of course, their new book: *Systemwise, Continuous School Improvement at Scale.* --- (4-4-24) [**Rakhee Jain**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/8ba1d81f-d8fd-41c5-9df8-b14a01383977/f971031d-d748-4eec-b001-b14a01383984-19cea96b-f7bd-4c5b-836a-b14a01387842.mp4?invocationId=e8f882b7-47f4-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) is director of structured finance at Charter School Growth Fund where she invests in schools, leaders, and students across the southeast. Rakhee comes from a varied finance background, having worked in early-stage start-ups, private equity, and investment banking. She graduated from HGSE's ELOE program in 2022 and completed her undergraduate at the University of Chicago. Rakhee currently resides in New York City where her hobbies include running, eating spicy foods, and drinking coffee. We spoke with Rakhee about her work at Charter School Growth Fund, how she came to this work, and what she has learned about leadership, teaming and partnership through her varied and multi-sector career. --- (3-28-24) [**Suchi Saxena**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/1ba4ba3c-c151-437f-81fe-b14d01802558/588f2881-7f43-4357-8883-b14d01802566-b3b87173-bef6-4d9c-b2a5-b14d018096a6.mp4?invocationId=2e855cbf-c7f6-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) is vice president of community development policy and engagement at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Prior to joining the Fed, Suchi served in local, national and federal K-12 system leadership roles, driving change to ensure that kids living in poverty and furthest from opportunity have access to the resources, relationships, environments and skills needed to secure their capacity to thrive. She earned a BA in economics from Wellesley College, an MPA in economic development from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from HGSE. She is a proud member of EDLD Cohort 3. We spoke with Suchi about her work at the Chicago Fed, how her childhood experiences with education drew her to a focus on equity and access, and how she thinks about teaming, collaborating and partnering with diverse stakeholders holding different perspectives and expertise. --- (3-21-24) [**Lyndsay Brown**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/06b973ee-f986-4708-9c65-b13d001cfa49/87ade271-8580-45ba-b760-b13d001cfa51-0f976ca7-006c-473c-a302-b13d001d6111.mp4?invocationId=e5619741-81e9-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) has 20+ years of experience in the education sector, with experience at the national, federal, state, and district levels. Lyndsay started her career in DC shaping federal and state discourse in policy, advocacy, and government relations roles. She has also led systems-level change at the state and district levels, and bridged the two worlds of policy and practice as a consultant supporting districts, nonprofits, and communities. Lyndsay is a graduate of the EdLD program, Cohort 7 and lives in Massachusetts with her family including her husband, stepson, and multiple furbabies. We spoke with Lyndsay about her work at different levels in the education sector, how her identity and personal experience with education influenced her work, and how her thinking about partnerships and teaming has evolved over time. --- (3-8-24) [**Sarah McLean**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/cda0c98a-f46f-4fe5-af27-b12e015cfe96/4f8378f3-1916-45cc-8fed-b12e015cfea2-032994fd-84f0-4df3-851e-b12e015d5467.mp4?invocationId=e90861fb-5bde-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) is the Senior Vice President over the Partnerships & Infrastructure team at Leadership for Educational Equity or LEE, a non-partisan organization that exists to accelerate pathways to civic leadership for diverse, equity-driven talent and to grow the collective power of those most proximate to the issues. Before LEE, Sarah served in roles including Chief Operating Officer for Education First, Special Assistant to the Superintendent of Baltimore City Public Schools, Chief of Staff for Teach for America’s national operations, and as a community organizer and educator in Baltimore and Guatemala City. She lives in Baltimore, MD with Team McLean (her husband and 3 children). We spoke with Sarah about her work at LEE supporting capacity and leadership development for diverse talent with varying goals, how her has identity informed the work that she does, and how her thinking about developing capacity and influencing how that capacity is used has evolved over the course of her career. --- (3-1-24) [**Cuauhtémoc Cruz Herrer**a](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/11ad14cc-cafa-4bb0-907f-b1280002a3ae/1b61b2cf-ba2b-440a-ac36-b1280002a3bd-0fa7b0b5-4c01-4b5c-ab5f-b12800030bd1.mp4?invocationId=2e226e0b-f3d8-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) is the General Director of extracurricular education at the Secretariat of Education of the State of Jalisco, co-leader of the Ashoka community of children and youth in Latin America, and a Ford Fellow at the Watson Institute. Cuauhtémoc emerged from the state's public education system with a fervent commitment to impact students' learning experiences, particularly in the field of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). In 2018, Cuauhtémoc was recognized as one of the 25 emerging entrepreneurs in Minnesota, United States, under the age of 25, and he received the Global Citizen of the Year award from Macalester College in 2019. Monica and I spoke with Cuau about his work at the Secretariat, how his identity drives his passion for the work (lo hacemos por los chaparritos), and how his approach to teaming and collaboration has evolved as he moved from running his own smaller NGO to working in a large government secretariat. --- (2-23-24) [**Elena Luna**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/0fcdaa40-e722-42ca-8385-b1200111c92d/050ac91a-4b50-4317-918a-b1200111c93c-83ea3447-4cf8-4179-a349-b1200112383f.mp4?invocationId=2ecaaacd-33d3-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) is a School Superintendent and member of the Division of Schools at Boston Public Schools where she works to find solutions to dismantling the oppressive nature of K-12 educational systems and designing K-12 systems that are inclusive, anti-racist, and empowering for historically oppressed communities. Elena's commitment to her work is shaped by her lived experiences as a daughter of Mexican working-class immigrants, first-generation college graduates and low-income students. We spoke with Elena about her work at BPS, how her core values of respect, humility and relationships were shaped by her own experiences and now impact her work, and how her thinking about teams and teaming has evolved as she's moved between public and charter school systems, from the classroom to organizational and system-level leadership. --- (2-16-24) [**Jared Fox**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/bb7c38b3-4113-41e9-8693-b11901739abf/23f14202-08bd-4446-ae95-b11901739ac8-885060bc-8e13-49c8-b326-b11901747c91.mp4?invocationId=4d12a2b4-e5cd-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) is a Senior Community Program Manager - Women, LGBTQIA+, and Families at Microsoft. For over 15 years, Jared has led at the intersection of equity and strategy. Prior to receiving his EdLD from HGSE, Jared served as the Associate Director of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Equity with the NYC Department of Education. He was the first person to hold this position and carved his place at the intersection of LGBTQ rights and education. We spoke with Jared about his work at Microsoft where he engages with employee resource groups and external partners to support the three communities, exerting influence without formal authority, how his past experiences led him to this work, and how his approach to engaging with stakeholders and partners has evolved over the course of his career. --- (2-9-24) [**Jenny Portillo-Nacu**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/d437e0fe-8872-4041-afed-b1120106691f/e1237328-ad48-4cd8-9f82-b11201066929-7932f04e-ea65-42a9-951f-b1120106e1f1.mp4?invocationId=cc6fc57c-2dc8-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) is a Senior Education Equity Specialist for the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) where she supports the work of the Center for Education Equity, one of four Equity Assistance Centers funded by the US Department of Education. In her role, Jenny provides technical assistance and trainings for state departments of education, districts, and schools to improve instructional practices, student engagement, and family/community engagement to create supportive learning environments for all learners. Jenny began her career as a classroom teacher and then moved into education administration, adult development, and curriculum design. We spoke with Jenny about her work at MAEC; the experience of doing equity work with institutions with diverse contexts, capacity, complexity; how and why she came to this line of work; and how her thinking about teams and collaboration has evolved throughout her career. --- (2-2-24) [**Jon Skolnick**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/3ba06b7f-d1fb-45dd-b328-b10b00e5d6cd/2b08fdba-2469-4b3f-b221-b10b00e5d6d9-2d4e762c-783d-4438-8ee7-b10b00e65e5a.mp4?invocationId=0f072991-a1c2-ee11-8291-12c206d2fd2b) is the CEO at Family and Child Empowerment Services (FACES) SF, a network of family support and child development centers serving low-income families in San Francisco. He began his career as a high school history teacher, and most recently taught a course on organizational change as a Visiting Assistant Professor at University of the Pacific. In his free time, Jon plays guitar and piano, travels near and far, catches up with his eight siblings and seven nephews and nieces, and hangs with his Goldendoodle, Willie. We spoke with Jon about his work at FACES, what brought him to the work, how he thinks about impact, and how his thinking about teams and teaming has evolved over the course of his career. --- (11-30-23) In this episode [**Monica, Uche**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/4c9a616d-3e37-4125-a7b1-b0cc0129aa0d/689c2f3c-d7a1-4fd5-9b52-b0cc0129aa16-e216d605-0e92-4fb2-a0a9-b0cc012b1c97.mp4?invocationId=7e0938f8-3d91-ee11-8290-12b1cb861383) and some of the course Teaching Fellows: Prima, Larry, Laura, Tanu, Bruno, and Tristal reflect on their learnings from A608 and provide sage guidance to students. There's a lot of laughter and a lot of love. --- (11-16-23) [**Suzie Byers**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/faf6bd2b-55e2-4dd3-b146-b0bd00420fed/4c2b11ea-eaa1-45b2-b005-b0bd00420ffb-8bd8d28d-db6e-4c9e-802e-b0bd0042676c.mp4?invocationId=6d71c9ec-fe84-ee11-828f-12b1cb861383) serves as the Director of English of the International Institute in Spain. After graduating from Wesleyan University with degrees in Economics and Spanish, she worked in Emerging Markets at JP Morgan in New York, London, and Tokyo. Over the next 17 years, Suzie taught Spanish to every age group from toddlers to teens. After earning her Master of Education in Human Development and Psychology at HGSE, Suzie taught graduate students in the leadership program at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and then transitioned to Madrid Montessori, where she supported the growth and development of members of the community as Head of School before landing at the International Institute. We spoke with Suzie about her work at the International Institute, what drew her to the Institute, what she's learned about teaming and collaboration over her diverse career, and how psychological safety impacts how she thinks about teaming and collaboration. --- (11-2-23) [**Dia Bryant**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/aa4771dc-970c-4c16-aa98-b0b0002d33c5/86476a25-b8ee-42fc-b480-b0b0002d33d1-513a76cd-319d-4ddc-b0da-b0b0002da547.mp4?invocationId=92f1fe18-1583-ee11-828f-12b1cb861383) is the Executive Director of Education Trust New York, an org that works to eliminate equity and opportunity gaps that hold students back from reaching their full potential, especially those who are from low-income backgrounds or students of color, in order to enable all students in New York State to achieve at high levels. [Kevin Bryant](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/aa4771dc-970c-4c16-aa98-b0b0002d33c5/86476a25-b8ee-42fc-b480-b0b0002d33d1-513a76cd-319d-4ddc-b0da-b0b0002da547.mp4?invocationId=92f1fe18-1583-ee11-828f-12b1cb861383) is the Executive Director of Special Initiatives and Global Strategy and Talent at the College Board, a non profit organization that connects students to college success through the AP program, the SAT, the official SAT Practice on Khan Academy, and other services and resources. We spoke with these two sector leaders about their current work, how they collaborate across the education sector, how their early experiences with education impacted their career choice, and how their thinking about collaboration, leadership, and identity has evolved over time. --- (10-27-23) [**Ferny Reyes**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/ec57ecdd-9f6b-45f9-88b7-b0a90154e0e0/ed620260-8456-4081-b067-b0a90154e0ea-78abbf69-a14c-4264-8857-b0a901551458.mp4?invocationId=ab7af926-0378-ee11-828f-12b1cb861383) currently serves as Excel Academy Charter School’s Director of Data and Assessments. Ferny grew up in South Texas as a first-generation American. He started his career in education as a high school history teacher in Houston, before moving to NYC to continue his career and work as a network curriculum leader. We spoke with Ferny about approaching building systems to support change as and adaptive instead of technical challenge, the importance of regularly checking in with your users and customers, and how his experience growing up as a first-generation American impacted his work. --- (10-20-23) [**Rasheed Meadows**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/5ccfbb03-0cbe-4315-93a1-b0a2001d4817/073d52b1-ea1f-40ba-8a12-b0a2001d4821-1b8afa68-e600-4640-9b72-b0a2001d914f.mp4?invocationId=ea9d0ee7-b36f-ee11-828f-12b1cb861383) is the founder and CEO of Rasheed Meadows & Associates, a national education leadership, equity, and innovation company. He works with education leaders and their teams to fully realize their vision of excellence in schools, systems, and organizations that train and support educators. Rasheed is a proud member of the very first cohort of the EdLD program at HGSE! We spoke with Rasheed about his path to educational leadership, the importance of maintaining a connection to front line impact no matter where you are in the organizational hierarchy, and how his thinking about authority, influence, and teaming has evolved over his career. --- (10-13-23) [**Pam Gittleman**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/674e3747-552a-4e5c-a6d6-b09a017903f5/854ad29a-b58b-4fd2-bfad-b09a017903fe-1eb20b8e-7910-4a42-a118-b09a017a356d.mp4?invocationId=b26902e5-366c-ee11-828f-12b1cb861383) is the creator of Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®. After getting a BA in English from Tufts University in 1980, Pam got her MBA in 1982 from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where she developed a passion for marketing. Pam then went to work in account management at Ogilvy and Mather advertising, helping diverse businesses such as General Foods Smurfberry Crunch Cereal and American Express’s Personal and Corporate Cards optimize their marketing and advertising. We spoke with Pam about her work with Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, and how her thinking about teaming and collaboration has evolved (and stayed constant) over the course over her diverse career. --- (10-6-23) [**Alexis Morgan**](/a608productions/) currently manages the Office of Recruitment and Preparation at the New Jersey Department of Education. In this role she leads policy development to attract and retain effective educators, and approve and monitor educator preparation programs. Prior to this, Alexis served as Chief Schools Officer for New Tech Network, a design partner for comprehensive school change, and Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Services for Cambridge Public Schools District. We spoke with Alexis about her current work at the New Jersey Department of Education, how and why she came to that role, and the importance of understanding context--including the distinction between your positional authority and situational influence--when engaging with diverse stakeholders. --- (9-29-23) [**Kimberly Osagie**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/724c779e-166f-41fc-bf82-b08c010426a3/192a42ea-02ed-4138-8245-b08c010426b0-49c33f29-e4b4-4434-a4e7-b08c01049cbb.mp4?invocationId=df9107c7-df5e-ee11-828f-12b1cb861383) serves as Vice President of Programs at Echoing Green - an organization dedicated to disbursing capital, building community, and developing capacity in 1,000+ social innovators across the globe. Kimberly manages the strategy, design, and implementation of the Fellow experience from selections through alumni engagement; as well as the innovation and initiatives of the $75M+ Racial Equity Philanthropic Fund. We spoke with Kimberly about her work at Echoing Green, how her identity has impacted how she comes to the work, and how her thinking about teams and teaming, with respect to the numerous diverse stakeholder groups she engages with in her work, has evolved over time. --- (9-22-23) [**April Finlayson**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/a1b2a37d-273d-4b3e-9bf3-b08c00f6f556/3a403d0f-285f-4082-8946-b08c00f6f562-2a0df280-431a-4f28-8218-b08c00f76f54.mp4?invocationId=a5de9b96-df5e-ee11-828f-12b1cb861383) is an “Edu-neer” dedicated to designing holistic and transformational learning experiences. She currently serves as the Executive Director of The Munroe Institute of Leadership, the education branch of The Myles and Ruth Munroe Foundation. Her work has also led to the development of nearly a dozen innovative micro-schools and numerous educational programs in K-12, after-school learning and the adult development and Higher-Ed spaces in urban US contexts and the Bahamas. We spoke with April about her work at The Munroe Institute, the concept of an Edu-neer, and how her intersectional identity has impacted what she has chosen to do and how she shows up in her work. --- (9-15-23) [**Cheyenne Batista**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/29c5f9a0-bc05-40ff-8423-b07e016d4651/dae2bbb8-937f-4cdf-a13a-b07e016d465b-29bcc612-c627-4dd5-92ad-b07e016dccff.mp4?invocationId=f8ab1a96-1554-ee11-828f-12b1cb861383) is the founder and CEO of Firefly Worldwide Inc., a professional learning community and consulting practice for education and social impact leaders. She's also an adjunct professor at the American University School of Education where she teaches a doctoral systems-thinking course. Prior to her current work Cheyenne served as a founding principal and superintendent of a small network of community-run charter schools, and a classroom teacher. We spoke with Cheyenne about her current work at Firefly Worldwide, how her identity brought her to her work and impacts how she shows up each day, and how she thinks about teaming within her org, and in the orgs that she works with. --- (9-7-23) [**Sabrina Wang**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/41180c04-91d3-4c5e-a887-b07800de19c2/087c392f-874e-40d9-9a8f-b07800de19cc-225d86c5-96da-4a86-aecc-b07800ded650.mp4?invocationId=f60f5739-154f-ee11-828f-12b1cb861383) is the founder of Grit Education and Technology, a less than two year-old organization that provides non-profit public services, educational consulting, and technology services. Prior to founding Grit (while at HGSE) Sabrina worked in the field of international education in Beijing for over a decade, culminating in the role of Executive Director of the International Education division at Beijing New Oriental School. We spoke with Sabrina about her work at Grit, how she balances doing well with doing good, and how she thinks about motivating her team. --- (4-27-23) [**Lotte Mulder**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/3e0066af-ab18-44f1-b244-aff30110dc17/a9235952-6037-40e0-a08d-aff30110dc20-c7f97a67-28a5-47d1-8d88-aff30111810a.mp4?invocationId=836801eb-abe6-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the Director of Leadership and Empowerment at the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the world's largest professional membership organization for pathologists and laboratory professionals. She developed and currently leads programs that teach leadership to physicians and laboratory professionals, educate and empower patients through the Patient Champions program, and the organization’s DEI work. We spoke with Lotte about her work at the Society, how she realized that this was the right job for her, and her experience working closely with and for different stakeholders: clinical pathologist and patients. --- (4-20-23) [**Nancy Gutiérrez**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/37aeb34b-8dc4-4e4f-bbf4-afea01318f0f/eb13a61b-d3db-43c8-8861-afea01318f18-79c522ed-0c66-4363-870b-afea01326b04.mp4?invocationId=e0459905-abdf-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is President & CEO of The Leadership Academy, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating culturally responsive leadership in schools and with system leaders. She proudly began her career as a teacher and was an award-wining principal in her home community of East San Jose, CA. Nancy was a Fall 2019 Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow--named one of the top 100 most influential leaders in education in New York in 2020 by the City & State. We spoke with Nancy about her work at the Leadership Academy, the challenge of working in complex systems, and the importance of true partnerships in service of an impactful and sustainable outcome. --- (4-13-23) [**Justin Schoolmaster**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/26c51916-6dce-4da2-b961-afe6014d805b/f9f26941-3e40-4a8c-bbc5-afe6014d8068-0458944d-412e-433a-bcfd-afe6014dfe23.mp4?invocationId=039ff91c-95dc-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) works in Executive Strategy-US National Security, Federal Civilian and Federal Financial Agencies, at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Prior to Amazon, Justin worked in Harvard's central administration in fundraising and financial administration, in counterintelligence at the FBI, and in federal management consulting. Justin received his EdM from HGSE and his MBA from Yale. We spoke with Justin primarily about his work in and around CounterIntelligence--at the FBI, as a management consultant, and now at AWS--and how his approach to leading and teaming have changed as he switched contexts. --- (4-6-23) [**Paola Peacock-Villada**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/89d27895-5a4c-478e-8b07-afe000049843/3876e62c-9cf2-4447-affe-afe00004984d-b11eac86-5f66-4c42-aafd-afe000053e3e.mp4?invocationId=36b12e24-68d8-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) serves as the Deputy Managing Director in the office of the Secretary of Education at the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) where she devotes her strategic expertise to driving locally led education transformation. Prior to joining the NMPED, Paola served as a strategic impact consultant in Puerto Rico, supporting local philanthropic and community leaders to strengthen a network of movement builders focused on improving education across the Island. We spoke with Paola about her work in New Mexico, the importance of representation and reciprocal accountability in government, and her developing theory of teaming and leadership. --- (4-5-23) [**Karen Maldonado**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/5e87d822-dcfe-4842-b7fa-afe0000475bc/16878b95-7b27-4455-8916-afe0000475c9-1442ca73-1373-438b-b680-afe0000504b5.mp4?invocationId=27b12526-67d8-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) serves as Chief Program and Innovation Officer (CPIO) for Latinos for Education. Prior to serving as CPIO, Karen was Director of Education Reform for the Financial Oversight and Management Board of Puerto Rico. In 2018, she founded Karma Executive Coaching, a company that coaches clients to act in the present — to create positive reactions and outcomes for the future. We spoke with Karen about her transition from government to the for profit sector (Latinos for Education), how her sense of self and belonging impacted her (choice of) work, and how her thinking about teaming and leadership has changed over time. --- (3-21-23) [**Diane Robinson**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/adffce31-6f7b-4aa8-b15c-afd101417acb/08afa09d-a56e-4718-b09c-afd101417ad8-0d4b11aa-94e4-49c8-9a58-afd1014257c0.mp4?invocationId=d316746b-0dcc-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is a filmmaker and social entrepreneur who has worked as a teacher and non-profit leader in low-income communities for organizations like Teach For America, Global Nomads Group, Teach For All and KIPP. Diane made a career pivot in 2019 from education to filmmaking and premiered her first film, [The Young Vote](https://www.yardgirlproductions.com/work/the-young-vote), last year at the American Black Film Festival. The Young Vote is a feature length documentary that follows a diverse group of students and activists through the 2020 US election, a global pandemic and unprecedented social unrest. We spoke with Diane about her career transition from formal education to filmmaking, why she named her production company "[Yard Girl](https://www.yardgirlproductions.com)", and what carried over (or not) from her prior education roles to her work as a filmmaker. --- (3-7-23) [**Amreen Poonawala**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/9bde3e0a-7b76-4c02-b313-afc600ee4d11/b43caa74-4bb3-4a23-b18a-afc600ee4d1c-c3a7ff16-e842-4493-8ded-afc600eeef40.mp4?invocationId=517bc28d-43c3-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is a Product Manager at UNICEF within their Office of Innovation. She is interested in exploring the intersection of technology and social impact and previously worked at Accenture, the UN, Harvard, MIT, and the Aga Khan Foundation on projects focusing on digital transformation, AI, blockchain, and the future of work. Since graduating from Harvard Amreen was recognized as a 30 Under 30 Leader and was also appointed as an Advisory Board Member at Harvard College’s Lemann Program on Creativity and Entrepreneurship. We spoke with Amreen about her work at UNICEF and how her approach and thinking about leadership, collaboration and "consulting" has changed as she moved from management consulting, to founding her own startup, and then to UNICEF. We also discussed how her identity impacted what she chooses to focus on and how she comes to work. --- (3-2-23) [**Gislaine Ngounou**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/de48fc8a-5b18-497b-b410-afbc0186f77a/33f6f82e-191c-4714-bb67-afbc0186f786-cc5ee5e9-9781-4c9c-8c1b-afbc0187c45d.mp4?invocationId=f3463bb1-b0bb-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is a change agent whose work lives at the nexus of public education, racial and social justice, philanthropy, and organizational development. Most recently, Gislaine was the Interim President and CEO at the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. In that capacity, she led the design and implementation of a strategy aimed at advancing racial equity in public education while also transforming internal culture and philanthropic approaches. Gislaine has also held leadership, coaching, and consulting roles at Phi Delta Kappa International and school districts across multiple contexts. We spoke with Gislaine about what drove her to push for transformative change within an existing organization, and what skills, knowledge and disposition helped her be effective in this "tempered radical" role. We also discussed how her thinking about leadership and teaming has evolved over time and what the evolution may mean for her future work. --- (2-23) [**Siya Raj Purohit**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/9d2ea8ab-4280-4bcd-bbf5-afb300f08291/fb1d4ce1-f8a5-4183-91b4-afb300f0829c-45c07314-0f74-4e58-b89b-afb300f0fbe4.mp4?invocationId=269dbc25-51b4-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the Global Edtech & Workforce Development Lead at AWS (Amazon Web Services) and a General Partner at Pathway Ventures. She is an operator-investor in the education sector who helps grow and invest in companies that drive economic mobility through innovative models of earning, learning, and community building. Siya is an Edtech veteran, as an early employee at Udacity & Springboard, a graduate of HGSE's TIE program, and an author - she published her first book "Engineering America" as an undergraduate student in 2012. We spoke with Siya about her experience working in different teaming and organizational contexts--growing startups, one or the largest organizations on the planet, and her venture partnership. We also asked Siya to reflect on how her thinking about leadership and partnership has evolved over time given her experience in these differing contexts. --- (2-16-23) [**Veronica (Vero) Benavides**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/1bac4afd-63ac-456f-b11a-afb1015f70bd/2d59c40c-a686-4d61-9d6f-afb1015f70c8-b72f16f9-e632-4e43-a49f-afb10160083e.mp4?invocationId=94629ce5-f7b2-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the Founder & CEO of The Language Preservation Project, where she supports the reclamation and flourishing of heritage languages across global contexts. She works with families and educators to ensure that children with bilingualism in their bones stay connected to their languages, cultures, and communities. [Tracey Benson](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/1bac4afd-63ac-456f-b11a-afb1015f70bd/2d59c40c-a686-4d61-9d6f-afb1015f70c8-b72f16f9-e632-4e43-a49f-afb10160083e.mp4?invocationId=94629ce5-f7b2-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the CEO of Tracey A. Benson Consulting and the founder of the Anti-Racist Leadership Institute. He also co-authored the book, Unconscious Bias in Schools, a Developmental approach to exploring Race and Racism, which was released with Harvard Education Press in 2019. We spoke with Vero and Tracey about their current work that engages DEIB in various contexts, and why they came to this work. We also asked the two to reflect on why they wrote the Ferguson Case study (which we still teach at HGSE, about how the neighboring school districts responded to the killing of Michael Brown in 2014 and the community response) and how they would approach the case differently if they were to write the case today. --- (2-9-23) [**Erica Jordan Thomas**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/01cd53d1-942c-481f-abeb-afa70182741e/ff2523ee-3529-4725-bf0b-afa701827428-afe91528-7af4-47f8-96ec-afa7018354d8.mp4?invocationId=ed3bd154-2dab-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the founder and CEO of EJT Education Group, a business development company on a mission to shift the power dynamics in education and disrupt the racial wealth gap by providing high-performing educators from marginalized backgrounds with the tools to grow a six-figure education consulting business. We spoke with Erica about the *Why* and *How* behind her work at EJT Education group, how fundamental changes in mindset often factor into her work, and how her thinking about her own leadership and teaming has changed over time. --- (2-2-23) [**Mariel Manzone**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/44b6978f-6763-427c-adde-af9f01794a1e/1e7b950a-4d53-43b1-b775-af9f01794a2a-cb5140f4-9b56-4728-8ea6-af9f0179bdf9.mp4?invocationId=69b1a604-dfa4-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) has helped senior executives build and scale their organizations over the last decade. She has served as a product manager and Design Strategist for Fidelity Center for Applied Technology, head of operations and engineering enablement at Wayfair, and most recently co-founded Global Creativity labs, a venture-design-meets-strategy consulting practice. We spoke with Mariel about her experience working to support innovation within large organizations and as an outsider bringinging her expertise into different organizational contexts. We also talked about what Mariel has learned over the years about her own approach to leadership and teaming. --- (1-26-23) [**Malika Ali**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/bbd3e359-6b73-4ec6-a186-af9800f4c1a2/093a80fc-b35d-4c09-bd24-af9800f4c1af-19d4c2af-5e65-43c8-b96e-af9800f5549c.mp4?invocationId=45ac0a13-e19f-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the Chief Innovation Officer at the Highlander Institute where she leads program visioning that articulates a comprehensive model for school change. Prior to working at Highlander Malika was a Rhode Island District Teacher of the Year, a member of the Governor's STEAM and Equity committee, and recognized by Learn Launch as one of the nation's emerging and inspirational Black Leaders in EdTech. We spoke with Malika about her approach to effecting comprehensive school change as an outside organization working across numerous school contexts and cultures. We also discussed how she thinks about leadership and management within her own team and between her team and leadership teams in the schools they engage. --- (12-1-22) In this episode [**Monica, Uche and Amy Chiu**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/53dfe9f7-6d45-4efe-8762-af5f0171ed2b/937328e4-d28d-4038-9012-af5f0171ed38-88243496-028d-4119-9ebb-af5f01722ac6.mp4?invocationId=b1f55c8a-9072-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383), one of our teaching fellows, reflect on their learnings from A608 and provide guidance to students. There's a lot of laughter and a lot of love. --- (11-17-22) [**Sarah Johnson**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/3fd3105a-3569-4662-978a-af51010d4d64/faf7dea5-a017-40e1-937e-af51010d4d6d-eb14bedc-8def-462a-aea3-af51010dc72d.mp4?invocationId=e9c8372e-5d67-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the CEO of Teaching Lab, a national non-profit with a mission to fundamentally shift the paradigm of teacher professional learning for educational equity. Sarah also held leadership roles at the Overdeck Foundation and the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), and has served as a high school teacher in Washington DC and Oakland CA. Sarah received her EdLD from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We spoke with Sarah about her work at Teaching Lab, how she thinks about growing and scaling a mission-based nonprofit, and how she makes space for individual and organizational learning within the org in a way that engages different stakeholders. --- (11-10-22) [**Pam Haering**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/bbb3989d-03b0-4f08-b340-af4a01786880/bface1c1-56e4-4d0d-abcb-af4a0178688a-aa8c08cc-a1a6-49a2-91f5-af4a0178d628.mp4?invocationId=c185c2f5-1362-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) has been a brand strategist at top-tier ad agencies, a global marketing executive at Time Warner/Turner, and a business line creator and leader as a senior vice president at Viacom. Pam pivoted into the education sector when she founded Swiftwater Consultants and helped launch a diverse independent high school. She has since served on educational nonprofit boards and most recently, after attending the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative in 2021, launched EdAccess Lab to support education non-profits in the college and career readiness space. We spoke with Pam about her work at EdAccess Labs, her experience with leadership and teams as she transitioned from the private to the public sector, and the challenges and benefits with balancing advocacy and inquiry when teaming. --- (11-3-22) [**Delrisha White**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/faee349a-9e04-43e5-977c-af4200ee1e79/20c9c092-5aa5-4b8a-93df-af4200ee1e83-33c0936d-3645-4a6b-bb30-af4200ee991f.mp4?invocationId=45d9b41d-855b-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is a dynamic social impact leader who confronts educational inequity, racial, and socioeconomic injustice through education and storytelling. In 2020 Delrisha founded Equity Erudition, an equity education firm that focuses on supporting organizational leaders in building capacity, and skills in racial equity and leadership competencies. When she is not working, she is traveling, developing her upcoming podcast "EPEC Conversations," or hiking a new Bay Area trail. We spoke with Delrisha about her work supporting organizational leaders in building capacity around racial equity from outside an organization as a consultant, and from inside an organization as a staff member. We also discussed how developing this capacity within organizations can empower individuals to be change makers in their contexts. --- (10-27-22) [**Brin Enterkin**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/b1cf7d17-ba4f-4b60-9dcf-af3c01779aa7/9f61615a-fc1e-4565-9e77-af3c01779ab1-508041eb-4fa6-4af7-8b69-af3c017827f0.mp4?invocationId=8909ec13-1357-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) currently works at Google in Boulder, Colorado. Prior to Google, Brin lived in Uganda where she cofounded The African SOUP, an education organization. Brin believes deeply in our collective capacity to improve the trajectory of our world, should we invest our time and resources in developing ethically-driven leadership and economic systems. Brin was recognized on CNN and as a Forbes 30 Under 30 and recently competed in a gravel race in Colorado where she almost, but didn't quite get very last place. We spoke with Brin about her current work at Google, what she's learned about scaling from working within a large high-performing tech organization, and what she thinks can be transferred to the educational sector. --- (10-20-22) [**Nicole Jain**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/67700ddb-14a4-46ab-8a6c-af35016c6af0/d7a32673-9d4c-42a1-a2e4-af35016c6af9-dbdd8b64-b0e4-4175-99b0-af35016ccb72.mp4?invocationId=6b82ebee-8c51-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) has dedicated her career to public service and leadership in K-12 public education policy and management. Nicole has worked with two of the largest school districts in the United States focusing on turnaround initiatives. Nicole holds board positions at different organizations such as OOTify, a mental health navigations company where she currently works, that help shed light on important social issues. Nicole has also written a children's book on mental health access, self-care and navigation issues. We spoke with Nicole about her current work on nonprofit boards, developing strategy for entrepreneurial organizations, and how the experience in smaller entrepreneurial organizations compares to her previous experience working in large K-12 districts. --- (10-13-22) [**Zachary Herrmann**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/0f2e57ce-218d-43b3-bd49-af2e012a410e/4c96b708-1941-4a9b-ab03-af2e012a4116-b92ed8fb-8a38-4b33-9997-af2e012ab7f5.mp4?invocationId=5eac7023-eb4b-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the Executive Director of the Center for Professional Learning and a member of the professional faculty at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education where he leads professional learning. He teaches the popular Penn GSE course, “Collaboration & Conflict: Leading Yourself, Others, and Teams,” which engages students in an interdisciplinary exploration of how people work together to solve complex problems, and “Negotiation,” a popular elective course within the M.B.A. program at The Wharton School. We spoke with Zachary about the unique aspects of innovating within a large, storied and highly-structured institution such as Penn GSE, how his identity impacts how he comes to work, and his thoughts about the factors influencing attitudes and approaches to innovation and entrepreneurship in the public and social sectors. --- (10-6-22) [**Catherine Pozniak**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/463c958c-dce7-47df-8fb9-af2700fdc1e9/2969da5c-5496-42b0-b0e3-af2700fdc1f6-b490631d-a21a-4a5d-b530-af2700fe4ebb.mp4?invocationId=2732d35c-5446-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is an educator at local, state, and national levels with management experience in the public and nonprofit sectors. She helps states and districts leverage their financial resources to advance strong academic plans. Catherine also serves as a captain and education officer for Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command in the U.S. Army Reserve. We spoke with Catherine about her work helping stakeholders rethink how they approach finance and risk in the public sector, what drove her to this work, and how her thinking about leadership and teaming has evolved throughout her career. --- (9-29-22) [**Tina Owen-Moore**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/c24b830d-3d97-41f0-bcad-af2000d6fd2d/e0ecdfec-0471-4f89-a04f-af2000d6fd38-e9ef7d9b-8d1c-4e34-b1c3-af2000d769a5.mp4?invocationId=4b13a39f-c040-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the Superintendent of Schools for the School District of Cudahy, in Cudahy, Wisconsin, an urban-suburban district of Milwaukee County. Tina began her teaching career at Washington High School in Milwaukee and later started The Alliance School of Milwaukee, the first school in the nation started with the explicit mission of reducing bullying. In 2019 she published The Alliance Way: The Making of a Bully-Free School, through the Harvard Education Press. We spoke with Tina about her work in Cudahy, how her identity informs how she engages in the work and community, and how her leadership has evolved over time with her work and context. --- (9-22-22) [**Conor Troy**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/7bc84a51-ff58-4ede-b795-af1900f9d67b/c18bbc55-3a9f-4791-abb1-af1900f9d687-4a9c2cfd-52cb-4f3d-8c42-af1900fb47f7.mp4?invocationId=38d82488-523b-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is a Project Manager at Kitamba, a social impact consulting and products firm dedicated to dramatically improving learning and life outcomes for all children. Before Kitamba, Conor worked as an academic dean and teacher trainer in Kenya, and as a Policy Manager for the NYC Department of Education. Conor began his career teaching students at St. Ignatius School in the South Bronx. We spoke with Conor about his work at Kitamba, how his identity has impacted how he comes to his work, and how his thinking about leadership and teaming has evolved as he transitioned from working from within a district to coming in from the outside as a consultant. --- (9-15-22) [**Babak Mostaghimi**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/bc96a048-7091-4fe4-bfd4-af1200e99e11/42be6741-54c5-49a0-a8f8-af1200e99e1a-5a9e2a83-a560-41a0-89e7-af1200ea1fb5.mp4?invocationId=f8a2a5ae-c935-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is an educator and education systems entrepreneur. Babak serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instructional Support, and Innovation for Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). Babak began his education career as a 5th grade science and social studies teacher in the Mississippi Delta. We spoke with Babak about his work in GCPS, how his identity as a son of Iranian refugees and a new figure in the community impacted his transition to, and current work in, GCPS; and how his approach to leadership and teaming has evolved over the course of his career. --- (9-8-22) [**Jason Brooks**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/d03adba9-5d66-4d2f-9d41-af0c00e54d3e/f4b53e34-51b1-4762-a389-af0c00e54d47-662ae86c-b920-4c5f-8028-af0c00e5c5e4.mp4?invocationId=e1b0acd9-1031-ed11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the founder and CEO of harkness.ai, an early-stage startup that uses artificial intelligence to transform participant engagement in online meetings. Before [harkness.ai](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__harkness.ai&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=Df7f_exrPFmRfrBp7wnchQW1TbxSrWhMYcZw4b45New&m=IARyEaimkxNshs5gOWvPUTRKcosqhO1FsrK40xWtYir8yrYqfBxEOBqG4vLSjI-D&s=gGSA47T1IufPvUeB8zt09XL82P8c_-sMX75ACHlkHR0&e=), Jason spent 18 years working in schools as a teacher of Languages (Mandarin & Spanish) & Mathematics. Jason received his BA from Trinity University, his MA from Valparaiso University and his EdM from HGSE. In the first podcast of the fall 2022 academic year we spoke with Jason about his transition from schools and classroom to entrepreneur and how his experience in schools led to his current work at harkness.ai. We also spoke about how his identity and experience in different contexts (classroom, schools, startup) have influenced his thinking about leadership, teams and teaming. --- (4-28-22) [**William Marroquin**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/dc167ac7-75de-46a3-9185-ae8d00ed628d/1873baca-43e8-4ecb-95c7-ae8d00ed6296-66a5a490-f813-48a7-9561-ae8d00edc35a.mp4?invocationId=ea4fb2b5-48cd-ec11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the Vice President of Strategic Impact at Koru Strategy Group where leads and facilitates impactful professional learning engagements that achieve a shared vision for success. He is currently overseeing projects in three different districts across the nation, with over forty schools, to scale out continuous improvement practices that will ultimately lead to impacting teacher practice and student learning. Dr. Marroquin was a former math teacher, middle school principal, high school administrator, and district administrator. In our 50th episode we spoke with William about his work at Koru engaging diverse stakeholders to work towards shared goals. We also spoke about how his identity and early experiences impacts how he thinks about the importance of access to quality education and how he engages in the work. --- (4-21-22) [**Christine Dahnke**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/fa006f6b-a0da-4868-9b5a-ae8200deb207/73fc973b-9fe2-4852-98c5-ae8200deb210-ebc1b0fd-74fa-4701-943c-ae8200dfcef3.mp4?invocationId=a854f6aa-9cc4-ec11-828e-12b1cb861383) has invested the majority of her professional life leading change in large urban school districts while serving as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and district administrator. She is now implementing cross-sector solutions to advance educational equity with the non profit English Learner Success Forum and teaching in higher education, most recently with the District Summer Learning Network, where she partners with district leaders interested in planning and implementing transformative summer learning experiences. We spoke with Christine about her work with the English Learner Success Forum, compared her experience with system-level change working from within a district and working as a district partner, and reflected on how her identity impacts how she comes to the work. --- (4-14-22) [**Dorian Burton**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/16e4c0b9-f53c-4fdb-8cf2-ae8200d4e1d2/f18063d6-5492-4a02-a276-ae8200d4e1e5-9dff91e4-f890-4461-ad95-ae8200d590ec.mp4?invocationId=c4226e7b-97c4-ec11-828e-12b1cb861383) is the Managing Partner of the Southern Reconstruction Fund (SRF), a social impact fund committed to strengthening the American South by transforming communities most affected by racial injustice and systemic inequity into beacons of health and prosperity. Prior to SRF Dorian served as the Chief Program Officer and Assistant Executive Director at the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. Dorian started his professional career working for the National Football League and has worked for Education Pioneers, TandemEd, and as an independent consultant for various nonprofits and school districts. We spoke with Dorian about his work at the Southern Reconstruction Fund, how he thinks about transformative investments in communities--focusing on ambition vs. problem solving, and how how his identity impacted how he comes to the work. --- (4-7-22) [**Adriana Chavarin-Lopez and Mike Vea**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/4042fb3c-f1c2-4e24-90ce-ae79018a0ea6/78d59800-b00c-4183-bed6-ae79018a0eb0-4cb09429-24b2-429f-95c4-ae79018ad3a6.mp4?invocationId=29a9c413-e1bd-ec11-828d-12c206d2fd2b) both serve as Strategy and Instructional Support Officers in the San Diego Unified School District where they are designing and leading the first-of-its-kind, prenatal to 12th grade public Montessori school in San Diego and in the state of California. Both Adriana and Mike grew up in San Diego and are excited to be doing this important work in their hometown. Combined, they have over 48 years of experience working in the education sector in a variety of roles. We spoke with ChaVea (Adriana and Mike) about their work in San Diego, how their identities impact their commitment to the community they serve, and how their unique partnership (since their time at HGSE) has developed over time. --- (3-31-22) [**Tom Milaschewski**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/40eb1e29-d9b8-4f2b-9456-ae6b0123193c/cdc22660-74cf-4699-a02a-ae6b01231944-fe644726-4482-4353-9b68-ae6b0123963b.mp4?invocationId=5ffc0530-acb2-ec11-828d-12c206d2fd2b) is the Superintendent of the Reading Public Schools (MA.) He previously served as an elementary school principal in Salem (MA) and a Special Education, ESL, and math teacher in several districts. Tom has also worked as a district reviewer for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, led consulting projects for several districts nationwide, and served as an adjunct professor at Gordon College, Endicott College, and Salem State University. We spoke with Tom about his work in Reading, how his unique transition into the superintendency and how it impacted the work, and how the pandemic has helped frame some of the challenges and opportunities facing the district. --- (3-24-22) [**Marcia Russell**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/e5382fd2-303c-4bdf-9db4-ae65012f6309/e898726c-70ea-4541-8e2b-ae65012f6314-e7da2916-8529-43a3-971d-ae65012fe15e.mp4?invocationId=f07dd298-fbad-ec11-828d-12c206d2fd2b) is a Director in Educator Support and Effectiveness at a County Office of Education in California leading new teacher and administrator development and mentoring programs. Her 29-year career has had the common threads of educator development and technology having served in multiple roles from classroom teacher to Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in the public sector and editorial project manager and EdTech startup president in the private sector. We spoke with Marcia about her current work at the County Office, how her comfort with change--in part due to her peripatetic childhood--has influenced her approach to leading change, and how that approach to leadership has been transformed by the pandemic. Referenced: [Against Empathy by Paul Bloom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Against_Empathy) --- (3-11-22) [**Bruno Branco**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/1de410dd-1a7b-4648-a290-ae56016284c7/0f8d2878-76ed-4224-9e71-ae56016284d1-ea8549d1-2a83-4b60-bf57-ae5601630a41.mp4?invocationId=926360b7-4ca2-ec11-828d-12c206d2fd2b) is a serial entrepreneur in the Education and Technology space. Over the past 15 years he has co-founded some of the country’s leading EdTech startups in Brazil, including an e-learning platform reaching over 5 million students in adult education, an EdTech start-up reaching 700 K-12 schools, and The Great Schools Platform – the first K-12 Education Venture Builder in the world. We spoke with Bruno about his work with the Great Schools Platform, how his identity has influenced his work, and how and why his leadership has changed over the course of his career. --- (3-4-22) [**Laura Burgos**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/8e81fda4-4aa8-46ac-84f6-ae4e01661b61/56accd9b-334c-4a5f-bcc1-ae4e01661b77-7872f968-9bb0-43cc-a282-ae4e016693a2.mp4?invocationId=453a44b5-049c-ec11-828d-12c206d2fd2b) currently serves as a consultant for Venture Philanthropy Partners(VPP) where she supports the organization’s race and equity work. She previously served as director in VPP’s Investment Practice Group where she focused on leading multi-year investments in cross-sector initiatives focused on improving education and health outcomes for marginalized communities. We spoke with Laura about her work at VPP, how her self-identity has impacted her path and her current work, and what's changed in her approach to leadership and teaming over the course of her career. --- (2-25-22) [**Aaron Jennings**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/8fe36e21-2201-41bb-a705-ae48000e4300/93f05181-3e3a-4164-9734-ae48000e4309-4a2826c4-e877-44e3-8b3e-ae48000ebcf2.mp4?invocationId=797831f7-9f96-ec11-828b-12b1cb861383) currently serves as the Equity, Diversity and Excellence officer for Chelsea Public Schools where he’s committed to making system-level changes and impact through collaborative action and capacity building. He previously worked as a Family Care Coordinator in DC Public Schools, Manager of Urban Education Initiatives at Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, and as an Education and Health and Human Services Doctoral Fellow at Virginia State Department of Ed. We spoke with Aaron about stepping into a newly created role as the Equity, Diversity, and Excellence officer; how his identity factored into how he came to the role and how he engages with stakeholders; and how his approach to leadership and teaming has changed in his new role and during the pandemic. --- (2-18-22) [**Dr. Ruha Shadab**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/ea50bca0-d46a-4c0b-9745-ae40017b13d8/ca7fec06-9bad-4f94-a018-ae40017b13e3-ea9d441a-9fca-4909-8974-ae40017be0f7.mp4?invocationId=0f6485f6-0e91-ec11-828b-12b1cb861383) is a medical doctor and social entrepreneur. She is the Founder of LedBy Foundation, a unique leadership incubator that works on improving equity in the workplace. She is passionate about using market-oriented solutions to accelerate the economy’s transition to a more cohesive, respectful, and inclusive model through eliminating entry and retention barriers for underrepresented women. We spoke with Ruha about her work at LedBy, what makes the work so personal and how it connects to her identity, and how the pandemic has impacted her and the organization --- (2-11-22) [**Elizabeth Micci** ](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/7efb1f0b-e05d-4f46-98a7-ae3b012701dd/64076579-d6a8-467b-a442-ae3b012701e7-ef100ca0-f293-4833-b8f2-ae3b012855bd.mp4?invocationId=a11df1a9-bb8e-ec11-828b-12b1cb861383)is the Managing Director of the educator development program at the national nonprofit Citizen Schools, a program committed to training teachers in experiential learning pedagogy and engaging career mentors from relevant career pathways to work with students. Prior to joining Citizen Schools, Elizabeth served as teacher, administrator, and innovative program designer at a comprehensive public high school in Texas and an inclusive, progressive international school in Hong Kong. We spoke with Elizabeth about her experience working in various national and international contexts, her learnings from working in such diverse contexts, and how her thinking about effectiveness at Citizen schools--working in sites across the US--changed and adapted during the pandemic. --- (2-4-22) [**Noah Rachlin**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/20a732a2-66f4-4e9f-89e1-ae3201014d5d/675010db-9c4b-4237-8167-ae3201014d66-cb9b84f7-8f45-4a08-a44f-ae32010211da.mp4?invocationId=4e1e96c7-d085-ec11-828b-12b1cb861383) serves as the Upper School Director at Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown, New Jersey. Over the course of his career, Noah has worked as a classroom teacher, teacher-leader, and administrator in a broad range of independent middle and high schools. He has found a professional home working within schools to help foster continuous change and growth in ways that serve students and create rewarding and engaging work environments for adults. We spoke with Noah about his dramatic entry into his new school--having accepted the offer in February, before the pandemic hit with an initial start date of June, and what adjustments he made to his prioritization, strategy, and communications once the (pandemic) context shifted. --- (1-28-22) [**Laura Shubilla**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/88403998-05f8-497a-b95a-ae3200ffc3f0/d2a36a25-20fd-4317-abde-ae3200ffc3fa-83245e1b-883d-45c0-8fb2-ae32010040d8.mp4?invocationId=9cd80d66-d085-ec11-828b-12b1cb861383) serves as the Co-Founder of Building 21, a non-profit organization that works with districts and schools to reimagine secondary education. Prior to launching Building 21, Dr. Shubilla spent most of her career focused on cross-sector, systemic solutions to improve economic and educational outcomes for urban youth as Co-President and CEO of the Philadelphia Youth Network. We spoke with Laura about her work with Building 21, how her identity influences her work, and how she and her team think about effectiveness in her work--particularly during the pandemic. --- (11-19-21) [**Anita Krishnan**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/445b2882-83a9-40ca-ae89-ade50143e13f/a1f0281e-1ab7-45cf-88bb-ade50143e14b-f7a80c8f-d17a-4930-9ecb-ade501442d33.mp4?invocationId=effdec8b-7049-ec11-8289-12b1cb861383) is a narrative coach, leadership trainer, and learning consultant, ultimately on a quest to help people better connect with themselves so they can better connect with others. She designs curriculum, facilitates workshops, and coaches leaders across the U.S., and internationally on values-based leadership, team-building, storytelling, and communication. We spoke with Anita about her work in both Education and the Arts and how she thinks about building psychological safety with the folks she works with. Anita also shared a clip from one of the songs she wrote over the past year called "[Giants](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/d9db6f26-11e6-493c-a1b6-ade50146472f/b2d4f24c-c7d5-4442-a4d8-ade501464738-033aef2a-924a-46b9-9b5b-ade501464f9b.mp4?invocationId=fb9baff8-7149-ec11-8289-12b1cb861383)". --- (11-12-21) [**Máximo Plo Seco**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/ae9e8594-0276-4f9c-990b-addd00133932/fc47ebe2-db64-411c-b52e-addd0013393c-7d89abcf-48a2-4f1c-af88-addd0013999b.mp4?invocationId=b7fb1f99-8c42-ec11-8289-12b1cb861383) is the director of Operations for Europe at Cultural Infusions, an organization with the vision of creating intercultural harmony by helping organizations discover who the are and how representative they are of their communities. Prior to Cultural Infusions Máximo worked at Fundación Alternativas, WorldSkills, and Deloitte. We spoke with Máximo about his work with the Diversity Atlas project at Cultural Infusions and how inquiry is integrated into their approach. --- (11-5-21) [**Ron Sharma**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/ba971e75-d4f8-42c3-8e7f-add60130cf63/62210596-b3b5-464e-9d00-add60130cf6b-b36d9ae8-4cfa-4765-be70-add6013155e7.mp4?invocationId=225bf483-ec3f-ec11-8289-12b1cb861383) has been a public servant in three different countries during which he served in the German Army, the London Metropolitan Police Force, and in the United States Army. He is currently a Commissioned Officer in the US Army with more than 8 years of military service. Ron is currently teaching Principles of Business & Business Economics, Leadership & Wealth Management, and Principles of Entrepreneurship. We spoke with Ron about his experience working on the front lines during he pandemic and how his identity and career imprints factors into his work. --- (10-29-21) [**Aviad Meitar**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/5d37a092-2b9d-4e98-8359-add000e21025/efe5be7c-ee6d-4432-8aca-add000e2102f-185bdef7-9e02-455d-b964-add000e2a127.mp4?invocationId=4f264559-bf38-ec11-8289-12b1cb861383) is a co-founder and active chairman of a social enterprise Music for Dialogue (MFD), which uses music as a tool for bridging across sectors of society. In 2020 Aviad, together with Synergistics/GPC (Global Philanthropy Circle), co-founded the Global Dialogue Initiative (GDI) – a collaborative society that connects philanthropists and social enterprises that seek to promote dialogue. Previously Aviad served for 25 years of as chair of Quadrant European Beverages Limited, the Pepsi bottler for Romania and Bulgaria. We spoke with Aviad about his work with Music for Dialogue and how he thought about organizational strategy and capability when scaling MFD. --- (10-22-21) [**Nicole Cannizzaro**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/37ab1737-7411-43e9-bebd-adc80155c7cd/fe507a11-a245-45a4-9a02-adc80155c7e6-d3724557-ce04-43cd-b2b5-adc80156248d.mp4?invocationId=d1e81f18-0d34-ec11-8289-12b1cb861383) is a Learning & Development Specialist at Alarm.com, a home and business security company headquartered in northern Virginia where she focuses on employee engagement and culture. We spoke with Nicole about her previous work on the transition to college and current thinking about organizing to learn vs. organizing to execute in an entrepreneurial setting. --- (10-15-21) [**Susan Cheng**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/42ddf092-3d92-4166-ae85-adc200bda744/c20042f6-4fca-4cac-9a8a-adc200bda74d-58402e43-9bc1-4745-8899-adc200bdeeaa.mp4?invocationId=700fb57c-b62d-ec11-8289-12b1cb861383) is the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. Before Georgetown she was part of the founding team of Braven, a college to career organization, an associate partner at New Schools Venture Fund and a member of Chancellor Michelle Rhee's DC Public School transition team. We spoke with Susan about what she's learned from her diversity work at Georgetown School of Medicine and how she thinks about strategy in her work. --- (10-8-21) [**Landon Mascareñaz and Doannie Tran**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/83eb7c8d-2fb1-4c25-b976-adbb00f15efe/b890421a-c377-43b8-82dd-adbb00f15f08-f8ccb8a9-6e38-4853-92a1-adbb00f289d9.mp4?invocationId=e2af3a25-4628-ec11-8289-12b1cb861383) founded the Open System Institute in 2020 to develop the capacity of leaders to co-create and co-produce with communities across the country--towards reimagining and reinvigorating our democracy and countless other shared pursuits of our society. Landon is the Vice President for Community Partnerships at The Colorado Education Initiative where he is responsible for district implementation work in the Denver Metro Area, Northeastern Colorado and Southwestern Colorado. Doannie is the Partner for Liberatory Co-Creation at the Center for Innovation in Education where he focuses on family and community empowerment as a lever for systems change where he has helped launch community co-creation projects nationwide. We spoke with Doannie and Landon about leading in a way that centers community engagement and how entrepreneurial leadership fits into how they go about their work. --- (10-1-21) [**Cheryl Camacho**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/11cba3cb-bab1-49d4-9871-adb4012cc738/f4aaad1b-0ddb-4032-a421-adb4012cc742-a390b049-79eb-47b9-ae74-adb4012cf558.mp4?invocationId=218d6440-e422-ec11-8288-12c206d2fd2b) is the CEO of the South Bend Empowerment Zone in South Bend Indiana. Prior to South Bend Cheryl served as an award winning principal, a facilitator of conversations about race and education, a designer and facilitator of professional learning communities, an executive coach for senior leaders, and a first grade teacher. We spoke with Cheryl about lessons learned through her work with the Empowerment zone and the roles of teams in decision making. --- (9-24-21) [**Chike Aguh**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/3194b634-e284-4586-9310-adae00f883da/4eb45ac8-2458-4b28-a3b0-adae00f883e3-4b501dc2-bddb-4ccd-8b49-adae00f8d13a.mp4?invocationId=9d79eb85-121e-ec11-8288-12c206d2fd2b) is the Chief Innovation officer at the US Department of Labor. Prior to his current role Chike served as a Technology and Human rights fellow at the Harvard Carr Center, a Lectuer at Columbia University, head of Economic Mobility Pathways at Education Design Lab, and a venture partner at New Markets Venture Partners. We spoke with Chike about leading at the federal level amidst a context of stacked crises and leading teams through change primarily driven by external forces. --- (9-17-21) [**Amanda Klonsky**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/d4ee87de-e50c-4e57-9109-ada600dcfc72/28e77427-0fd8-4f90-a57a-ada600dcfc7b-e65350a7-3916-40b1-9c57-ada600dda1ce.mp4?invocationId=ef5d38a0-e617-ec11-8288-12c206d2fd2b) is a Research and Policy Fellow at the[ UCLA Law COVID Behind Bars Data Project](https://uclacovidbehindbars.org/). Prior to the pandemic, Amanda worked as an educator in jails and prisons for more than 15 years. She speaks widely on issues of education and incarceration. We spoke with Amanda about her work expanding education for the incarcerated, the challenges of managing organizational culture, and wrestling with issues of ethics in leadership decision-making. --- (9-10-21) [**Alaina Harper**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/4fba4d77-101b-4e1d-b8a0-ada600dcb48f/44595ba5-1733-47fb-9b53-ada600dcb497-2230e698-be9c-42a9-80e1-ada600dd0f7b.mp4?invocationId=50b9e844-e617-ec11-8288-12c206d2fd2b) is currently the Executive Director of Relay Graduate School of Education’s work across the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Alaina was a middle school English and science teacher for a decade and most recently she works with new teachers to identify the intersections between their pedagogical content knowledge, their students. We spoke with Alaina about her work at Relay, understanding ones context, and the challenges and benefits of managing up and across an organization. --- (4-30-21) In this episode [**Monica, Uche**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/6f289e62-ebf1-4f84-b7f3-ad1a00ff7dca/09fd56f9-c9e7-4671-9504-ad1a00ff7dd1-1ca99daa-d330-4449-a7ee-ad1a01000e80.mp4?invocationId=5a05b5d2-c9a9-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) and the course Teaching Fellows: Jared, April, Zach, Elena, Danny, Chino, Carmen and Jessica, reflect on their learnings from A608 and provide sage guidance to students. There's a lot of laughter and a lot of love. --- (4-23-21) [**Nieves Segovia**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/7f3dc7c9-b7de-4f46-8114-ad13014e0a28/2565c293-07aa-4815-8597-ad13014e0a30-0565de00-16a3-4175-8012-ad13014e86e1.mp4?invocationId=44fc4b02-71a4-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) is the president of SEK Education Group which encompasses University Camilo José Cela and SEK International Schools which serve over 15000 students throughout Europe and Qatar. She is also the Vice-Chair of the steering committee of the Talloires network of engaged universities. We spoke with Nieves about her work over the years with SEK education group, how her identity and background impacted her work, and how the pandemic experience has impacted her leadership. --- (4-16-21) [**Lissa Young**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/4dd11232-bc5e-410a-b288-ad0c00fa4cf1/2b158bf1-02a2-4418-a2d7-ad0c00fa4cf8-45f87416-4070-4dc3-b345-ad0c00fad87f.mp4?invocationId=a2a8fd63-c69e-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership at the US Military Academy at West Point where she teaches in the Leadership and Management program. Lissa received her EdD from HGSE where she also served as a teaching fellow for A608 (and Uche’s TF!) We spoke with Lissa about her work at West Point teaching cadets about leadership and teams, how her identity informs her teaching, and how she thinks out leadership and entrepreneurship within the military. --- (4-9-21) [**Marius Mohler**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/90ce4c28-45b8-4bf7-884b-ad0500941653/1c8db7dc-7f92-4907-9cf2-ad050094165b-f1c0dbe2-ba11-43fb-9b99-ad050094848d.mp4?invocationId=68fd991c-1299-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) is a consultant and facilitator at LEAD Mindsets & Capabilities where he supports individuals, groups and organizations to develop and grow - often in the context of large-scale transformations. Marius loves spending his time on projects where he can create meaningful and deep connections that span the client's organization holistically – collaborating closely from top leadership to individual contributors. We spoke with Marius about his trajectory from McKinsey to Harvard to his current leadership facilitation work. We also chatted about how he helps the organizations create cultures of psychological safety. --- (4-2-21) [**Rashmi Singh**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/ca912510-bae6-4938-8f0c-acfd015e67f8/59af06c7-8e9d-4ece-b5af-acfd015e67fe-d931d82f-9f80-49ee-9cb3-acfd015ece93.mp4?invocationId=d72b9aae-2f93-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) is an instructional designer, educator, and a certified transformational coach, facilitator, and leader. Rashmi is also an award-winning singer, actor, and writer and works in New York in TV, film, and theatre. She was recently selected for the Writer-in-Performance Residency for the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. You can connect with her at [www.EverythingRashmi.com](http://hcsc.clubs.harvard.edu/e.html?u=http://www.EverythingRashmi.com&t=475447-9481608) We spoke with about how she's navigated her career in a climate of stacked crises (she graduate from HGSE as the pandemic was starting) and how she's helped others think about their leadership. --- (3-25-21) [**Pete Fishman**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/de6eb862-6f7f-4dc4-9bd1-acf701069bd6/cf9f9d0e-4646-4d8a-adeb-acf701069bdf-616d850c-fec4-4dda-a5da-acf7010730d5.mp4?invocationId=4efa5627-4c8e-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) is the Vice President of Strategy at Deans for Impact, a national non-profit organization working to ensure that every child is taught by a well-prepared teacher. We spoke with Pete about how Deans for Impact started and scaled, and how Pete thinks about balancing strategy and capacity in his work. --- (3-12-21) [**Kyris Ang**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/4eace5ef-e7b8-46aa-8944-ace80186117c/8aa5ff9f-3a8a-4cfb-ac6d-ace801861183-a01a82b2-d52d-46fc-930d-ace801868c44.mp4?invocationId=2b124a71-c382-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) is the vice principal of a school in Singapore. We spoke with Kyris about being an entrepreneurial school leader during the Pandemic and how he leveraged his relationships and networks to support his work. --- (3-5-21) [**Zakiya Thomas**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/f72607df-53b9-4b00-a31d-ace1015b1187/11035457-f93d-4f0d-9b39-ace1015b118f-3f8fc721-1e54-4467-b49c-ace1015b9fa5.mp4?invocationId=7428bca1-2d7d-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) is the director of the Houston branch of Posse, an organization that works to: expand and diversify the pool of students from which top institutions of higher learning can recruit, build more welcoming campus environments, and support Posse scholars in persisting through their academic studies. We spoke to Zakiya about her career arc, what brought her to Posse and how her identity informed her choices and work. We also discussed how she managed competing and/or differing interests among different stakeholders crucial to her organization's success. --- (2-26-21) [**Samantha Pratt Asante**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/78eb9a00-e9b9-4e69-9e58-acdb016a9b1a/42886e1c-54e8-431a-b01e-acdb016a9b21-f47818c1-faff-46f7-ac43-acdb016b1ef6.mp4?invocationId=556969bd-7e78-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) is the founder of CEO of [KlickEngage](https://www.klickengage.com), an organization that aims to help all students feel psychologically safe and supported in every environment. KlickEngage achieves this mission by amplifying youth voice, promoting social emotional well-being, and increasing the effectiveness of existing interventions through tech. We spoke with Samantha about the tripwires of she encountered as an educational entrepreneur, how her identity factored into her work, and how she used hypothesis testing and developing a Minimum Viable Product in her process. --- (2-19-21) [**Meghan Lockwood**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/cce87be4-780d-41aa-87b5-acd40125f060/08ea570b-bc82-4381-898b-acd40125f067-ed6613ac-b1bc-4342-8236-acd401265070.mp4?invocationId=aeec5fce-db72-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) serves as Special Advisor to the Harvard College Dean's Office for all things COVID-related. She is also interim resident dean in Cabot House, one of the upperclassmen houses for Harvard College students. Meg is a former middle school teacher and alum of the HGSE doctoral program in education policy, leadership, and instructional practice. We spoke to Meghan about leading in a time of crisis in a large institution when difficult decisions must be made. We also discussed how to bring about the conditions that promote collaborative problem-solving in such a context. --- (2-12-21) [**Ventura Rodriguez**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/fc584a80-d6e6-4e9b-8097-accd00fa49f3/01505a9c-1cb8-4f77-ac9b-accd00fa49fb-22ea700c-09b3-4367-b73f-accd00fafa84.mp4?invocationId=9d314e87-456d-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) is the Senior Associate Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Dr. Rodriguez is also the board chair for Lawrence Alliance for Education, a state appointed receivership board for Lawrence Public Schools. He also serves as the board chair for the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System. We spoke with Ventura about leading in a time of crisis, how identity figures into this type of leadership and engaging diverse stakeholders in the process. You can hear more about Ventura's story with his [talk at HGSE](https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/13/02/story-appian-way-ventura-rodriguez). --- (2-5-21) [**Claudia Espinosa**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/75b4e480-3f09-452d-9a24-acc6011bc49f/2246a1a7-4ec6-4073-bd6b-acc6011bc4a7-445fd4e8-029f-4404-a139-acc6011c211d.mp4?invocationId=bd49166b-da67-eb11-8284-12c206d2fd2b) is the founder of Latinas On the Verge of Excellence (L.O.V.E.), a mentoring program focused on supporting young women to be successful in life and their careers. We spoke with Claudia about architecting organizational culture and how ethics plays into decision-making. --- (1-27-21) [**Joiselle Cunningham Smith**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/3886d3f2-e80a-457c-b8e5-acbf01309df5/eae1e512-d134-4a6a-86a3-acbf01309dfd-70e0bef3-7db6-4340-8f31-acbf0130fbe8.mp4?invocationId=13d1b47f-6062-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) is the founder and CEO of Pathways to Creative Industries, an organization that creates solutions to build better systems to support youth entering their careers. Joiselle is also a senior advisor for CareerWise New York and a professor at NYU school of professional studies. We spoke with Joiselle about improving work opportunities for diverse communities and the challenges of adapting ones own leadership approach to fit the task and context. --- (12-4-20) [**Bruce Rich**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/cd5f9792-cbc8-4c14-8184-ac870105cc4b/47f30c74-b622-41ab-be43-ac870105cc54-6652f69b-0728-4873-bf70-ac8701064aa7.mp4?invocationId=3504151a-4936-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) was senior partner in the international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where he headed the firm’s intellectual property and media litigation practice for more than 30 years through 2019. Most recently, Bruce serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EL Education, Inc., a not-for-profit educational reform organization. ([Bonus Track on Importance of Serendipity](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/b0ab0482-c913-4902-ac94-ac87010655e2/9de435f6-e381-4e8e-bc84-ac87010655ea-8e8c751d-851f-413e-99cc-ac87010673c6.mp4?invocationId=919faa44-4936-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383)) We spoke with Bruce about his work with EL Education, how he got into the work, and how his identity impacts his experience. We also discussed how EL is responding to the current context of stacked crises. --- (11-20-20) [**Elif Ucan**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/7b5efece-8c60-4dcb-8dda-ac79013a1ce7/14b200a3-40d4-4b7a-8820-ac79013a1cf0-864907e8-b386-4e0a-b812-ac79013a8d28.mp4?invocationId=6527cf88-632b-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Founder and CEO of Spoke Context. [Spoke](https://www.spokecontext.org/#:~:text=Spoke%20Context%20is%20a%20501%20(c)%20(3),%20non-profit,100%%20tax-deductible.%20Thank%20you%20for%20supporting%20public%20art!) is a nonprofit social enterprise that brings compelling public art projects to young learners across the globe. Spoke Context's mission is to leverage the advocacy power of public art to foster cultural integration, equity, civic engagement and education through art in communities around the world. Spoke’s projects provide participants a platform to exercise critical life skills, tangibly engage with their communities and contribute to the visual landscape in a creative and impactful way. In this podcast we talk with Elif about her work with community-based cross-cultural teaming and experience making the case for using art to bring communities together. --- (11-13-20) [**David Rease**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/c6d18b90-2512-46f6-af2f-ac73011ed46e/fd45dbb8-5f2f-47ca-a93f-ac73011ed47b-a35342c2-754a-4943-9c2c-ac73011f2dda.mp4?invocationId=24debccd-9f26-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Director of Equity and Excellence in Prince George's County Public Schools. David leads the equity-focused strategic planning process for the 135,000-student district. His team is also responsible for engaging the system's 20K employees in learning about issues of equity. In this podcast we talk with David about the challenges of leading change as an insider or outsider. We also discuss the challenges of leading change during times of significant change. --- (11-6-20) [**Toni Morgan** ](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/e50c12a6-1fd3-4de7-b27b-ac6b01028c47/7068d526-14e2-420f-b6ca-ac6b01028c53-0fbf45db-590b-475d-98e7-ac6b0102fd47.mp4?invocationId=2f7e8e2b-4720-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383)Entrepreneur and Public Interest Technologist. Toni is the managing director at the Center for Law, Innovation and Creativity at Northeastern School of Law and an MBA candidate at the Sloan School of Management at MIT. Since 2018, Toni has worked with legal scholars, industry leaders and activists to address important tech justice issues, from facial recognition technology, to labor rights in the digital economy, to free speech on social media platforms. In this podcast we talk with Toni about attempting to bridge intractable divides through her work, and delve into the details and significance of tech justice. --- (10-29-20) [**Geoff Marietta**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/dd476a64-e3f1-49a0-862e-ac6500e2e917/b259389c-bc85-4384-877e-ac6500e2e923-f50a1c2d-296c-4b16-a2b8-ac6500e351a9.mp4?invocationId=95b6bd57-891b-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg KY, founder of Invest 606, and founder of Mountain Tech Media. Previous roles include Executive Director of Pine Mountain Settlement school in Harlan County Kentucky and CEO and cofounder of Giant Otter Technologies, a company focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to improve our lives. Geoff is also the author of [*Rural Education in America*](https://www.kentuckymoonbow.com/ruraleducation)*,* a book that explores the "often neglected slice of America that needs to be part of the narrative". In this podcast we discuss Geoff's work at the Pine Mountain Settlement School and the benefits and challenges of trying to transform education from the inside and outside. --- (10-22-20) [**Mariel Novas**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/61c42890-b992-4a48-af08-ac5d01134a2d/8588662f-a4aa-45e6-9cf3-ac5d01134a39-58cbcb69-d18d-47f1-be82-ac5d01141b1c.mp4?invocationId=8e230583-4f15-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Assistant Director of Partnerships and Engagement for Massachusetts at Education Trust. Previous roles include Rappaport Public Policy Fellow at Boston Mayor's office for Immigrant Advancement, Director for District and School Partnerships at Teach for America, ESL Math teacher in Dorchester, Mass, and cofounder of Boston Education Action Network. In this podcast we discuss building effective community relationships to drive change and how one's own identity impacts the work. We also discuss common mistakes individuals and organizations make when thinking about scaling for impact. --- (10-15-20) [**Annie Knickman Plancher**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/35500c73-b04b-42c6-9698-ac56010cde7a/9505a343-3343-41a0-aaf7-ac56010cde83-9f5b036b-fa2f-4a06-a232-ac56010f6ebb.mp4?invocationId=986c27d0-cc0f-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Vice President of Staff and Strategy at Social Finance. Prior to Social Finance, Annie was a management consultant at McKinsey and Co. and launched an independent nonprofit within the firm called, McKinsey’s Social Initiative. In this podcast we discuss leveraging strategic thinking to help secure necessary resources to support new ideas and scale existing ideas. We also talk about how some of the strategies and learnings Annie has used in her work might apply to those working in education and the public sector more broadly. --- (10-8-20) [**Angela Jackson**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/7511cf0e-1562-4d73-b7e9-ac4f00f6bce5/a9789f8c-6767-4b59-8536-ac4f00f6bcf4-2d07f126-49c5-4a17-a6ce-ac4f00f85820.mp4?invocationId=cffb500f-410a-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Partner at Newprofit. Previous roles include Retail Marketing and Development at Nickelodeon and MTV, New Channels Marketing at Nokia, and founder of Global Language Project. During this podcast we discuss with Angela her work in bringing diverse stakeholders into the entrepreneurial process and how focusing on equity in the process impacts outcomes. We also discuss her focus on leveraging technology in public-private partnerships. --- (10-1-20) [**Mark Hecker**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/f6ba2713-a07c-4ed3-ba19-ac480035ae9a/99d6e604-096f-4b3a-b660-ac480035aea5-9d51ef11-bbf7-4fea-a887-ac4800361f2d.mp4?invocationId=0a0de25a-5e04-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Founder and executive director at Reach Incorporated. Previous roles include teacher and social worker at the National Center for Children and Families. During this podcast, we discuss with Mark about his unique inside-out approach to public-sector innovation with Reach Incorporated that engages teens in the change process. We also discuss how his identity factors into his relationship with the communities that he serves the challenge of leadership in a time of stacked crises. --- (9-24-20) [**Michele Brooks**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/934e5061-fc1d-4339-b557-ac43013574b5/99882bf8-98ea-49fd-9e0a-ac43013574c1-d254abfa-1e36-4fa0-90c5-ac430135f4cb.mp4?invocationId=8f5ced7e-f400-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Principal Consultant, Transformative Solutions. Previous roles include, Executive Director of the Boston Parent Organizing Network, an organization focused on organizing parents to support improving outcomes for marginalized youth, member of the Boston School Committee and Assistant Superintendent for Family and Student Engagement of Boston Public Schools. Her work centers on supporting the development, implementation and evaluation of family and community engagement initiatives. During this podcast, we discuss with Michele the power of shaping team culture so that multiple and diverse voices are not only heard but valued. Given Michele’s background in community engagement, we discuss as well the key role that communities play in improving education systems and what she has learned about actively involving families and communities in the work. --- (9-17-20) [**Stefan Lallinger**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/0878a363-3994-44d6-9132-ac4301380e15/da33cf91-ae8e-4c69-84c0-ac4301380e1f-bb046097-0166-4a8d-8007-ac43013894d5.mp4?invocationId=0ae70330-f400-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Fellow and Director of the Bridges Collaborative at the Century Foundation an independent progressive think tank focused on economic, racial and gender equity across sectors. Stefan focuses on issues of racial and socioeconomic integration, equity, governance and district-charter relationships. You can find out more about the Century foundation at TCF.org. During this podcast, we explore both the opportunities and challenges associated with efforts to create racially integrated schools in the United States. We discuss how critical it is for leaders to act as architects in actively shaping the environment in which difficult conversations take place so that change can happen. --- (9-10-20) [**Marina Lee**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/2a1c1fcd-c453-4e7f-9ced-ac430135d38a/4b178e16-a3e8-4c64-9634-ac430135d398-64840a85-cf9f-4eb5-b1d8-ac4301364ce4.mp4?invocationId=57e6d65a-f400-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Executive Director, Envoys, which creates education programs that challenge and inspire students to become better world citizens. Previous roles include Founder and Executive Director of Cogita whose goal is to create changemakers through civic awareness and leadership. Her companies have a global presence in Korea, Colombia, China, U.S. You can find out more about Envoys at Envoys.com. During this podcast, we explore with Marina the role that ethics has played in launching and scaling her global entrepreneurial ventures. We also talk with Marina about how her identity and upbringing have shaped her values and leadership in an international education context. --- (8-4-20) [**Steve Chambers**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/36550551-0ac6-42aa-9d31-ac43013587a3/7f9afa3c-9071-41e4-85a3-ac43013587b0-2eb8d7b5-e8ed-45be-845b-ac4301360816.mp4?invocationId=ff63ef6c-f400-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Education Leadership Doctoral Degree candidate, previous roles include: President of Nuance Communications (Forbearer of Siri and Google Assistant), CEO of Jibo (personal robotics), and most recently, board member at Callminer and Chief Marketing Officer and Sense. During this podcast, we talk with Steve about entrepreneurial leadership and how multiple mentoring relationships have shaped his entrepreneurial career in technology. Relatedly, we discuss the value of taking on different perspectives to lead for change and remaining truly open to learning throughout one’s career. --- (Bonus Episode) **Emily (Buxton) McCann** CEO of Citizen Schools. In this episode Ms. McCann responds to A608 students' discussion of the *Citizen Schools* case and discusses leadership and strategy in a time of crisis. --- (Bonus Episode) [**Joe Davi****s**](https://d2y36twrtb17ty.cloudfront.net/sessions/5af2df1d-8d22-4f3c-8c5e-ac650184e5bf/a4486938-1246-49ab-942a-ac650184e5c9-4b5e35e0-1ab7-4541-bc6e-ac65018531fb.mp4?invocationId=5732c0b8-d21b-eb11-8283-12b1cb861383) Superintendent of Schools at Ferguson Florissant School District. In this episode Dr. Davis responds to A608 students' discussion of the *Lessons from Ferguson* case; shares some of his experience with matters of race, leadership, and systems in Ferguson; and responds to students' questions.