The Leaders’ Table

The Leaders' Table: Stacey Childress of The NewSchools Venture Fund

Stacey Childress flips The Leaders’ Table upside down this episode, sharing lessons learned from her role as CEO of The NewSchools Venture Fund and career as an entrepreneur. From why finding a learner’s mindset is more important than being right, to avoiding getting super-scheduled with meetings, Stacey’s advice will help you reframe your workday.

The Leaders' Table: Luzelma Canales of RGV FOCUS

Luzelma Canales is a powerhouse of an advocate. As Executive Director of RGV FOCUS, she knows her data inside out and upside down. She distils complicated policy issues for any audience. She facilitates sessions like a magician and bringing partners on board is easy as pie. But what sets her apart, makes her an example not just for women in leadership, but an example for us all? Her community leads her. Listen to learn how.

The Leaders' Table: Manny Lamarre of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation

Ever meet a leader whose energy is infectious? Who you can just tell is going places? That’s Manny Lamarre. As executive director of the newly created Nevada Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation, Manny stands at the intersection of workforce development, education and equity in a state that was hard hit by the last recession. Manny’s got a dream job at the cutting edge of policy, but what’s even more exciting is imagining what lies ahead for him and the communities he serves. Sky’s the limit when you’re on a rocketship!

The Leaders' Table: Bill Ferguson, Maryland State Senator

What makes Maryland State Senator Bill Ferguson a rare leader? He’s not only had experience at three levels of Maryland’s education system — first as a teacher, then in the central office, and now as an elected official — but he’s also truly in it for the long haul, not just the easy wins. We ask Bill what the rest of the world can learn from Baltimore at its best and at its worst, and how he keeps it all together as a leader.

The Leaders' Table: Chris Cerf, Newark Public Schools Superintendent

Curious what Chris Cerf has learned from a career in policy working for both Democrats and Republicans, and now as the Superintendent of Newark City Public Schools? Then this episode of The Leaders’ Table is for you!

The Leaders' Table: Kaya Henderson, former DC Public Schools Chancellor

If you’ve heard previous episodes of The Leaders’ Table, you know we’re on a quest to find out what makes leaders tick. This week with Kaya Henderson, we cut right to the heart of it. Our conversation with Kaya packs a punch — and not in the way you might expect if you know much about this former Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools. Kaya’s one of those rare leaders who’s willing to go there, get deep and share not only how she measures her own personal and professional success, but how her favorite mistakes have shaped her leadership. That’s authentically Kaya. Tune in for tips, tricks, insights and stories from Kaya Henderson and other education changemakers.

The Leaders' Table: Courtney English of Atlanta's Board of Educaiton

Courtney English is all about his community and leading Atlanta’s Board of Education to serve all kids. As the youngest-ever chair of the Board of Education for the school system where he was once both a student and a teacher, stories of students and the relationships Courtney has with teachers, parents, and community members show up in every policy decision he makes. Courtney shares what he’s learned about building trust as captain of a ship that’s navigated its fair share of tough storms.

The Leaders' Table: Delia Pompa of the Migration Policy Institute

Delia Pompa is a leader whose unique “strength in quietude” has helped her build and sustain a widely respected, multi-decade advocacy career across multiple political waves. She has been a voice for children and families from inside both venerable advocacy organizations and government, including the National Council of La Raza, the Texas Education Agency, and most recently, the Migration Policy Institute.

The Leaders' Table: Pedro Martinez, Superintendent of San Antonio Independent School District

This episode is stacked with tips from the San Antonio Independent School District’s Superintendent, Pedro Martinez’s career leading Chicago’s education system with Arne Duncan, turning education around in Nevada, and now with a community ready for change in one of the fastest growing districts in the country. Take note of Pedro’s advice for strengthening your systems-building muscles, how to balance quick wins with long term planning, and more!

The Leaders' Table: John Deasy of New Day New Year

For our milestone 20th episode, we’re excited to share The Leaders’ Table with CEO of New Day New Year and former Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, John Deasy. Deasy is a leader on a mission to kill the school to prison pipeline with lessons to share on keeping calm under pressure. If you’ve listened to other episodes of The Leaders’ Table, you know this episode is packed full of the good stuff!