Leaders Table

As the first woman to represent Ward Two on the Saint Paul City Council, Councilwoman Rebecca Noecker knew from her teenage years that she was destined to challenge the status quo. With a focus on relational leadership and integrity, she tackles divisive issues, such as issuing a response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, with care. Councilwoman Noecker emphasizes the need for active community and civic engagement and inclusive policy making for a better future.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Jonah Edelman, co-founder of Stand for Children, recounts his transformative journey from resisting his family's legacy to embracing it, spurred by personal experience and his mother Marian Wright Edelman’s guidance and support. Reflecting on his 28-year tenure leading Stand for Children and his dramatic shift in perspective during that time, Jonah talks about overcoming impostor syndrome, prioritizing service, passion, and legacy over personal ambition, and the significance of sustainability, humility, and mindfulness to effective public leadership.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

This tenacious Kentucky State Representative and mother of three thrives on breaking through barriers. As a self-described former “free lunch kid” in her community, Rep. Raymond now focuses on creating opportunities, particularly pathways to education, for people in poverty. In this interview, Josie shares secrets for keeping her personal and professional life balanced and “running the best campaign your district has ever seen.”  

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE Studios, from Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

An honor anyone would be proud of, Kira Orange Jones was named one of TIME Magazine’s most 100 influential people in 2015 for her work reshaping the school system when she served as Executive Director of Teach For America in New Orleans. She currently serves as a member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, representing District 2. In this episode, Kira dives deep into the lessons she has learned about how to gain technical skills for governing, and how invaluable it is to stay connected to the communities you serve.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Marco A. Davis is President & CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), which was founded in 1976 by Latino Members of Congress to develop new generations of leadership. Marco is a thought leader in the areas of civic engagement, educational achievement, community advocacy, and Latinx leadership. He brings wisdom from years of spearheading leadership development for UnidosUS and serving (as Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and as Director of Public Engagement for the Corporation for National and Community Service) in the Obama Administration. Marco and CHCI host a leadership-focused podcast, Here to Lead.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

From dropping out of high school in NYC, to teaching at them in Puerto Rico, to serving as U.S. Secretary of Education in 2016, Dr. John B. King speaks from a wealth of experiences and service… It’s from all of these experiences that he learned the value of second chances, student & educator support, self-care, and national leadership on the issues facing educational success. Dr. King continues the fight as CEO of The Education Trust, where he advocates for excellence and equity for all students.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

This tenacious Kentucky State Representative and mother of three thrives on breaking through barriers. As a self-described former “free lunch kid” in her community, Rep. Raymond now focuses on creating opportunities, particularly pathways to education, for people in poverty. In the interview, Josie shares secrets for keeping her personal and professional life balanced and “running the best campaign your district has ever seen.” 

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes. 

It’s no coincidence that Irene Holtzman spends her days advocating for agile school decision making, and her favorite evenings, rocking the dance floor. But being quick on her feet takes a lot of planning. Put your earbuds in and join us as a fly on the wall for Irene’s reflections on her path from 6th-grade teacher to Executive Director of Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS). From the tough lessons in her first year leading a team to the importance of mentorship from a leader who she describes as “the baddest of the bad”, this interview have you moving to the rhythm.

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!

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.

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!

As Founder and CEO of 4.0 Schools, Matt Candler and his team have built charter schools, incubated EdTech companies, built houses, and organized communities. And yet he’s one of the most humble leaders we’ve ever met. Listen in as we ask Matt about lessons he’s learned and how he’s quieted his inner perfectionist to allow his inner entrepreneur to develop living ideas.

The Leaders’ Table Podcast will present a series of discussions with leaders in policy & advocacy who are making change and tackling educational inequity. While talking issues, we will delve into the career stories of our guests to unearth and highlight the tips and tools, the routines and practices that have lent to their impact -- so that members can identify the actionable items to use to enhance their own impact on the policy world. This week's guest, Marc Holley, evaluation unit director at the Walton Family Foundation, reflects on what attracts a foundation’s attention, the case for investing in teachers, and the importance of creating time to ask yourself the big questions in life.

The Leaders’ Table Podcast will present a series of discussions with leaders in policy & advocacy who are making change and tackling educational inequity. While talking issues, we will delve into the career stories of our guests to unearth and highlight the tips and tools, the routines and practices that have lent to their impact -- so that members can identify the actionable items to use to enhance their own impact on the policy world. This week's guest, Luis Avila, senior vice president of 270 Strategies and former national program director at Stand for Children, ignited our hearts and minds in his conversation on the intersection of organizing, policy, and advocacy.

The Leaders’ Table Podcast will present a series of discussions with leaders in policy & advocacy who are making change and tackling educational inequity. While talking issues, we will delve into the career stories of our guests to unearth and highlight the tips and tools, the routines and practices that have lent to their impact -- so that members can identify the actionable items to use to enhance their own impact on the policy world. Our first guest, Ryan Smith of The Education Trust-West talks to us about the intersection of Black Lives Matter and Black Minds Matter and why the most important quality in a leader is the ability to hold steady.