Leaders Table

Recorded live at the inaugural Courageous Leadership Conference, this special episode of The Leaders’ Table features a candid conversation with Texas State Board of Education member Staci Childs.

Interviewed by Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Staci reflects on her journey into public leadership and the real decisions she faces while serving students and communities across Texas. She shares how values, identity, and lived experience shape her leadership, and what it takes to stay grounded while navigating high-stakes systems.

This conversation explores what authentic leadership looks like in practice, especially when the work is challenging and deeply personal.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE. 

Journalist and activist Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker brings a deep sense of purpose to everything she does. As a first-generation Cuban American, her mother’s immigrant journey shaped her belief in the power of community and the potential of underrepresented voices.

Now serving as Associate Vice President at Moms Clean Air Force and Director of EcoMadres, Isabel shares how resilience, advocacy, and cultural identity fuel her work. She encourages listeners to find their own lane of impact and reminds us that meaningful change takes patience, gratitude, and persistence.

She offers a powerful reflection on purpose-driven leadership and fighting for what matters most.

Nancy Gutierrez started as a teacher and principal and now leads as President and CEO of The Leadership Academy, a national nonprofit focused on building strong, justice-driven leaders across the education system.

In this episode, Nancy shares how her hometown roots continue to fuel her commitment to transformational leadership. She discusses the importance of courage in the face of injustice and why proactive, community-connected leaders are essential for real change in schools and beyond.

A conversation about heart, purpose, and what it means to lead with conviction in education.

At just 26 years old, Carlos Mark Vera has already helped reshape access to opportunity in one of the nation’s most exclusive spaces: Congress. As the founder and executive director of Pay Our Interns, Carlos turned his lived experience as an unpaid intern into a national movement that secured over 48 million dollars in funding for paid internships on Capitol Hill.

In this episode, Carlos shares how persistence, policy, and personal storytelling came together to fuel change. He reflects on building a more inclusive pipeline for students, especially those from Black, Latinx, and Native communities, and why paid experience is essential for shaping diverse leadership across every sector.

A powerful story of advocacy, strategy, and leading with purpose.

Marvin Figueroa has dedicated his career to serving others through public policy. From humble beginnings to national leadership, he now serves as Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In this episode, Marvin reflects on his path through public service, including his time as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources for Virginia. He shares how values, lived experience, and a commitment to access and affordability have guided his work across roles and administrations.

A grounded conversation on service, leadership, and systems change from the inside out.

Reverend Leah Daughtry is a powerhouse organizer, strategist, and spiritual leader. From neighborhood pulpits to the national stage, she has dedicated her life to building power through community and faith.

In this episode, Rev. Daughtry shares insights from her time serving in the Clinton Administration and twice leading the Democratic National Convention as CEO. She reflects on the role of values, resilience, and storytelling in public leadership and discusses her work co-authoring the NAACP Image Award-winning book For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics.

A conversation on legacy, faith, and the kind of leadership that lifts entire communities.

Before becoming the longest-serving and first Latina White House Domestic Policy Advisor, Cecilia Muñoz had already spent decades advocating for immigrant communities and Latinx leadership.

In this episode, Cecilia shares powerful stories from her time in the Obama Administration, lessons from her book More Than Ready, and the strategies that helped her navigate some of the highest-stakes policy spaces in the country. She reflects on the importance of staying grounded in purpose, building coalitions, and showing up fully, even in the face of resistance.

Now serving as Vice President for Public Interest Technology at New America, Cecilia continues to lead with integrity and impact.

In 2018, Everton Blair made history as the first person of color, first openly LGBTQ plus candidate, and youngest person ever elected to the Gwinnett County Board of Education.

In this episode, Everton shares how growing up in the very school district he now serves shaped his commitment to students and public education. From time in the classroom to work in the Obama White House, he draws on a range of experiences to advocate for equity, access, and excellence across every zip code.

A conversation about coming full circle, staying grounded in community, and leading with purpose.

Rick Hess has done it all. He is an educator, political scientist, advocate, and author of several books, including Letters to a Young Education Reformer. At the American Enterprise Institute, he leads conversations about the future of education with a sharp, reflective lens.

In this episode, Rick explores how school systems evolve, why it is not enough to treat surface-level challenges, and the importance of listening to people who see things differently. He also shares hard-earned wisdom on staying grounded while doing complex and demanding work in public leadership.

A candid conversation about change, perspective, and how to build a sustainable career in education.

Delia Pompa has spent decades leading with conviction, strategy, and what she calls strength in quietude. Her career spans multiple political eras and has shaped national conversations around education, immigration, and opportunity.

In this episode, Delia reflects on her journey advocating for children and families across roles in government and nonprofit leadership. From the Texas Education Agency to the National Council of La Raza to the Migration Policy Institute, she shares what it takes to create lasting change across systems and stay grounded through shifting political tides.

A thoughtful conversation about endurance, legacy, and leading with quiet power.

Chris Cerf has worked across party lines and education systems throughout his career, from shaping national policy to leading one of the largest school districts in the country.

In this episode, Chris shares what he has learned from serving under both Democratic and Republican administrations and what it takes to lead Newark City Public Schools through meaningful change. He reflects on navigating politics, driving reform, and staying focused on what matters most for students.

A thoughtful conversation about leadership, collaboration, and making progress in complex systems.

Luzelma Canales is a data-driven, community-rooted force in education and workforce leadership. As Executive Director of RGV FOCUS, she translates complex policy into action, facilitates like a pro, and brings people together with ease and clarity.

In this episode, Luzelma shares how she builds strong partnerships, makes data accessible to every audience, and leads with the belief that true leadership starts by following the wisdom of community. Her story offers lessons in humility, effectiveness, and how to drive change that lasts.

A compelling conversation about leading with purpose, precision, and deep connection.

Tai Dixon leads with clarity, discipline, and heart. As National Director of State Offices and Field Operations at the Children’s Defense Fund, she helps drive advocacy efforts across the country while staying grounded in her early experiences as a teacher.

In this episode, Tai opens up about her favorite failures, the intentional boundaries she sets to protect her weekends, and why being selective about advice has helped her lead with confidence. Hosted by Jason Llorenz, this conversation is full of practical insights and bold honesty.

A conversation about focus, values, and building your own leadership rhythm.

We sit down with Amy Wilkins, senior fellow for social justice at the College Board and a longtime advocate in the education space. Known for her influential work at The Education Trust, Amy brings decades of insight into how policy, practice, and persistence intersect.

In this episode, Amy reflects on what it takes to stay in the fight for educational change. She shares lessons from her own professional missteps, the role of patience in long-term advocacy, and how to lead with both strategy and heart.

A candid conversation about leadership, growth, and the tools that sustain impact.

Aixle Aman knows how to move through systems to make things happen. As Chief of Staff to Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member Ref Rodriguez, she worked behind the scenes to cut through red tape and bring community-centered policy ideas to life.

In this episode, Aixle shares her strategies for navigating bureaucracy, building coalitions, and staying focused on outcomes that matter for students and families. Her reflections offer practical tools for anyone working in education policy or public leadership.

A conversation about persistence, precision, and getting things done in complex systems.