In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Darlene Akers, Dr. Deb Kerr, and Jolene Levin sit down with Cheryl Durst, EVP & CEO of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), for a powerful conversation about curiosity, storytelling, and transformative design leadership.

Cheryl shares how her journey prepared her to bring the power of language and narrative into the world of design, elevate education and access as central pillars of her work, and lead with authenticity and resilience at a global level. Together, they explore why curiosity, listening, and joy are not soft skills — but essential leadership strengths.

What you’ll learn:

• How storytelling shapes influence and impact in leadership
• Why education and access matter in the design industry
• The power of authenticity and transparency at the executive level
• How curiosity and listening strengthen culture and connection
• Why saying “yes” to opportunity builds a lasting legacy

With vision and courage, Cheryl reminds us that curiosity is more than a mindset — it’s a strategy for meaningful, sustained impact.

If you’re a leader, designer, educator, or professional committed to growth and influence, this episode offers insight and inspiration for building a career rooted in purpose and possibility.

Follow Bold Women Collective on Spotify for weekly conversations amplifying women shaping the future of leadership, learning, and design.

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin, alongside cohosts Dr. Deb Kerr and Darlene Akers, sits down with Bethany Smith of Meteor Education and Emily Islip of Smith System for a powerful conversation about how former educators are shaping the future of learning environments.

Recorded following EDmarket’s BWC live virtual event, Bethany and Emily share how their classroom experience prepared them to bring empathy, instructional insight, and student-centered thinking into the world of school design and educational transformation. Together, they explore how flexible learning spaces, thoughtful change management, and educator voice drive meaningful innovation.

What you’ll learn:

• How classroom experience strengthens leadership in school design
• Why empathy and educator insight matter in learning space innovation
• Strategies for guiding schools through transformational change
• How flexible, student-centered environments expand possibility
• Why former teachers are leading the way in reimagining education

With energy and heart, Bethany and Emily demonstrate how teaching experience becomes a powerful foundation for system-level impact.

If you’re a teacher, school leader, architect, or education professional passionate about innovative learning environments, this episode offers practical insight and inspiration for driving meaningful change.

Follow Bold Women Collective on Spotify for weekly conversations amplifying women shaping the future of education, leadership, and design.

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, host Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Lisa Schleer, Superintendent of Sandyston-Walpack Consolidated School District, to explore her journey from special education teacher to district leader.

Dr. Schleer shares how her upbringing, family values, and early experiences shaped her calling to education. From launching her own consulting firm to strengthening districts through special education and MTSS frameworks, she reflects on what it means to lead a small, close-knit school community with transparency, vision, and heart.

What you’ll learn:

• How special education leadership strengthens entire school systems
• Why MTSS and student-centered systems drive district growth
• Strategies for leading small districts with clarity and trust
• How transparency and values-based leadership build strong communities
• Why heart-centered leadership transforms lives

With experience and authenticity, Dr. Schleer reminds us that strong leadership is rooted in service, community, and a deep belief in every learner’s potential.

If you’re a superintendent, school leader, or educator passionate about inclusive systems and community-driven leadership, this episode offers practical insight and meaningful inspiration.

Follow Bold Women Collective on Spotify for weekly conversations amplifying women shaping the future of education.

Recorded at ERDI Spring R&D Institute

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Doreen Bonde, wellness specialist at a high school in Cupertino, California, for an insightful conversation about how intentional wellness spaces are transforming education.

Doreen shares how creating dedicated reset spaces gives students — and staff — practical tools to manage stress, regulate emotions, and return to learning ready to thrive. Together, they explore why caring for adults is the first step to caring for kids, how thoughtful design choices support mental health, and the compelling data behind the impact of a simple 15-minute reset.

What you’ll learn:

• Why educator wellbeing directly impacts student success
• How wellness rooms and reset spaces reduce stress and improve focus
• The role of design in supporting emotional regulation
• What the data reveals about short, intentional breaks
• Practical strategies schools can implement immediately

If you’re a school leader, educator, counselor, or wellness advocate, this episode offers actionable insight for creating healthier learning environments that support both students and staff.

Follow Bold Women Collective on Spotify for weekly conversations amplifying women shaping the future of education, leadership, and wellbeing.

Recorded at SPRING CUE

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Sophie Leah Smith, CEO, and Leah Guesman, COO and co-founders of College Contact, for an inspiring conversation about risk-taking, youth entrepreneurship, and transforming college and career advising.

After turning a viral TikTok into a powerful platform, Sophie and Leah built a fast-growing mentorship model that connects students with relatable, near-peer advisors who truly understand the college journey. Together, they share what it meant to take the leap at 19, build with authenticity, and create access for thousands of students navigating college planning.

What you’ll learn:

• Why taking bold risks early can accelerate leadership growth
• How near-peer mentorship transforms college and career readiness
• The power of authenticity in building trust and impact
• What young entrepreneurs can teach us about innovation and courage
• How connecting students with the right mentors changes outcomes

With energy and conviction, Sophie and Leah remind us that bold moves — even at 19 — can spark meaningful change.

If you’re an educator, school leader, entrepreneur, or student passionate about mentorship and college access, this episode offers inspiration and practical insight into building opportunity through connection.

Follow Bold Women Collective on Spotify for weekly conversations amplifying women shaping the future of education, leadership, and innovation.

Recorded at ERDI Spring R&D Institute

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, host Jolene Levin sits down with Amy Dujon — Vice President at DA Leadership Institute, author, and former award-winning educator — for a powerful conversation about authentic leadership, instructional change, and the courage to ask the hard questions.

From musical theatre major to district leader, Amy shares how embracing risk, curiosity, and self-awareness shaped her journey. Together, they explore what it truly takes to lead instructional transformation, show up as your authentic self, and balance ambitious goals with intentional self-care.

What you’ll learn:

• How asking the right questions fuels leadership growth
• Strategies for leading meaningful instructional change
• Why authenticity builds trust and influence
• How to navigate career pivots with courage and clarity
• The role of self-care in sustainable leadership

With honesty and grit, Amy reminds us that growth begins the moment you stop doubting — and start asking.

If you’re a teacher, school leader, or education professional navigating change or stepping into new leadership, this episode offers practical insight and encouragement to lead boldly.

Follow Bold Women Collective on Spotify for weekly conversations amplifying women shaping the future of education and leadership.

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, recorded at the AASA National Conference on Education, Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Melissa Sadorf, former Executive Director of the Arizona Rural Schools Association and current leader of the National Rural Education Association (NREA), for a powerful conversation about rural education leadership, mentorship, and possibility.

From classroom teacher to superintendent and national advocate, Dr. Sadorf shares how purpose, confidence, and connection shaped her leadership journey. Together, they explore the unique realities of rural schools, the importance of mentorship in growing leaders, and what it truly means to lead with courage and conviction.

What you’ll learn:

• The opportunities and challenges unique to rural education
• Why mentorship is essential for leadership growth
• How confidence and connection fuel long-term impact
• What it takes to lead systems with courage and clarity
• Why believing in possibility changes outcomes

With authenticity and strength, Dr. Sadorf reminds us that leadership is built on belief — and anything is possible when you’re bold enough to pursue it.

If you’re a superintendent, rural educator, or education leader navigating your next chapter, this episode offers inspiration and practical insight for leading with purpose.

Follow Bold Women Collective on Spotify for weekly conversations amplifying women shaping the future of education and leadership.

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Lisa Schmucki, founder and CEO of EdWeb.org, for an inspiring conversation about redefining professional learning and building community at scale.

From early career experiences in accounting firms and ad agencies to a pivotal porch conversation with her daughter, Lisa shares how intuition, persistence, and deep listening led to the creation of one of the world’s most dynamic professional learning networks. Today, EdWeb connects more than one million educators through flexible, choice-driven professional development.

Together, they explore what it takes to build with mission and scale — and why empowering educator voice transforms the future of learning.

What you’ll learn:

• How flexible, choice-based professional development drives engagement
• Why listening deeply to educators fuels innovation
• The power of intuition and persistence in building something meaningful
• Lessons from scaling a global learning community
• Why librarians became the perfect early adopters

If you’re an educator, district leader, or founder passionate about professional learning and community-building, this episode offers practical insight and inspiration for leading with purpose and vision.

Follow Bold Women Collective on Spotify for weekly conversations amplifying women shaping the future of education, leadership, and innovation.

Recorded at ERDI Spring R&D Institute

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Darlene Akers, President of Akers Business Solutions, sits down with Laura Carlson, Director of the Architectural Division at My Resource Library (MRL), for a compelling conversation about career growth, industry evolution, and coming full circle.

From managing a physical catalog library early in her career to now leading the architectural division of a digital industry hub, Laura shares how adaptability, grit, and lifelong learning shaped her leadership journey. Together, they explore what it means to evolve alongside your industry, embrace change, and find purpose in every chapter.

What you’ll learn:

• How to navigate career transitions in a rapidly evolving industry
• Why adaptability and resilience fuel long-term leadership growth
• Lessons from moving from physical to digital innovation
• How full-circle moments shape clarity and confidence
• The power of staying curious in times of change

Laura’s story is a reminder that growth isn’t always linear — but when you stay open to possibility, every step prepares you for the next.

If you’re a leader, designer, architect, or professional navigating career evolution, this episode offers insight and inspiration for building impact across seasons of change.

Follow Bold Women Collective on Spotify for weekly conversations amplifying women shaping the future of leadership, learning, and design.

Recorded at NeoCon

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Christine Feenstra, Executive Director of CUE, for a thoughtful conversation about bridging the gap between people, ideas, and opportunity in education.

Christine shares what it truly means to lead in ways that connect communities, amplify diverse voices, and create space for meaningful collaboration. Together, they explore how listening, learning, and intentional relationship-building drive lasting impact — and why strong networks are essential for real change.

What you’ll learn:

• How community-centered leadership strengthens organizations
• Why elevating diverse voices creates better outcomes
• Strategies for building authentic connections across systems
• The role of listening and collaboration in sustainable change
• How bridging gaps unlocks opportunity and growth

This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t about standing alone — it’s about bringing people together with purpose.

If you’re an educator, school leader, or community builder passionate about collaboration and impact, this episode offers practical insight and inspiration for leading with connection.

Follow Bold Women Collective on Spotify for weekly conversations amplifying women shaping the future of education and leadership.

Recorded at SPRING CUE