In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, recorded live at Spring CUE 2025, Jolene Levin sits down with Lindsey Blass, Group Manager of the Global Education Community at Adobe, for an inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, and leading with purpose.

Lindsey shares how overcoming personal and professional challenges shaped her journey from the classroom to global education leadership. Together, they explore why life isn’t a dress rehearsal — and how embracing change, leaning into purpose, and showing up fully can transform both career and impact.

What you’ll learn:

• How resilience shapes meaningful leadership growth
• Why embracing change opens new pathways for impact
• The power of purpose in navigating career transitions
• How global education communities amplify opportunity
• Why thriving requires more than just surviving difficult seasons

This episode is a powerful reminder that growth happens when we stop waiting — and start living with intention.

If you’re an educator, edtech leader, or professional navigating change, this conversation offers inspiration and practical insight for leading with courage and clarity.

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

Recorded at SPRING CUE

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin and Dr. Deb Kerr sit down with Future Cain, M.Ed., Certified Culture Facilitator and Speaker, for a powerful conversation about women’s wellness, mental health, and sustainable leadership.

Future shares her deep commitment to supporting students’ and educators’ well-being — and why women leaders must “fill their own buckets” before pouring into others. As a mother, educator, and advocate, she explores how self-awareness, intentional self-care, and emotional resilience allow women to lead with strength and create lasting impact in schools and communities.

What you’ll learn:

• Why prioritizing your own well-being strengthens leadership
• How mental health impacts school culture and community
• The connection between self-awareness and sustainable leadership
• Strategies for preventing burnout in education
• Why women’s wellness fuels long-term change

This episode is a reminder that leadership begins within — and when women care for themselves, they amplify their impact everywhere else.

If you’re a teacher, school leader, or caregiver balancing service and self-care, this conversation offers meaningful insight and encouragement to lead with intention and sustainability.

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

Recorded at AASA NCE Conference

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Traci Bonde, District Administrator at Santa Clara Unified and CUE board member, for a meaningful conversation about building true culture in schools.

Together, they explore what it takes to create supportive, inclusive environments where both educators and students can thrive. From prioritizing educator wellness to fostering belonging across school communities, Traci shares insight into how intentional leadership shapes healthy systems and sustainable impact.

What you’ll learn:

• Why educator wellness is foundational to student success
• How inclusive school culture strengthens belonging and performance
• Strategies for building supportive, people-centered systems
• The role of leadership in sustaining healthy communities
• How to create environments where everyone can thrive

This episode is a reminder that true culture isn’t accidental — it’s built through care, clarity, and commitment.

If you’re a district leader, school administrator, or educator passionate about wellness and inclusion, this conversation offers practical insight for leading healthy, high-impact communities.

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

Recorded at SPRING CUE

In this inspiring episode, join Jolene Levine as she sits down with Lindsey Blass, Group Manager, Global Education Community at Adobe at Spring CUE 2025. They delve into the theme of overcoming challenges—professionally and personally—and discuss why life is not a dress rehearsal. Lindsey shares her inspiring journey, starting as an elementary teacher, a role that laid the foundation for her path of leadership and change. With perseverance and a commitment to embracing challenges, she has become a passionate advocate for shaping the future of education. This episode is a powerful reminder that life isn’t just about surviving tough times—it’s about thriving. Life is a one-time performance—let’s make it count.

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin and Dr. Deb Kerr sit down with Kristi Wilson and Susan Enfield, authors of On Fire, Under Fire, or Fired: Superintendents in the Pandemic, for a compelling conversation about crisis leadership and the human side of superintendency during COVID-19.

Drawing from the personal stories featured in their book, Kristi and Susan explore what it meant to lead school systems through unprecedented disruption. Together, they reflect on the challenges superintendents faced, the opportunities for transformation that emerged, and the lessons that will shape the future of education.

What you’ll learn:

• How superintendents navigated leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic
• The emotional toll and resilience required in crisis leadership
• What transformative opportunities emerged from disruption
• Lessons for future district leaders facing uncertainty
• Why humanizing leadership matters in times of crisis

This episode offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the realities of district leadership — and the courage it takes to lead when the stakes are high.

If you’re a superintendent, district administrator, or education leader navigating change, this conversation provides insight, validation, and practical lessons for leading forward.

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

Recorded at AASA NCE Conference

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, recorded at the Spring CUE Conference, Jolene Levin sits down with Rae Fearing, M.S., Director of Programs at CUE, for a forward-thinking conversation about educational technology, innovation, and empowering educators to lead change.

Together, they explore how technology and bold instructional strategies are reshaping today’s classrooms. Rae shares insights from her work at CUE, highlighting how connection, collaboration, and creative risk-taking help educators harness the power of tech to transform learning experiences.

What you’ll learn:

• How edtech innovation is redefining classroom engagement
• Why connection and collaboration strengthen technology integration
• Strategies for empowering educators through professional learning networks
• The mindset shifts needed for future-ready teaching
• How bold educators are challenging traditional learning models

If you’re an educator, instructional leader, or edtech advocate passionate about the future of learning, this episode will inspire you to rethink what’s possible in today’s rapidly evolving classrooms.

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

Recorded at SPRING CUE

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, recorded at the AASA National Conference, Jolene Levin sits down with Pam Dempsey, Director of Partnerships at Equalis Group, for an inspiring conversation about courage, education leadership, and creating opportunity through strategic partnerships.

Pam shares how her passion for education and empowerment shaped her path into the industry — and how resilience through challenges strengthened her ability to open doors for others. Together, they explore what it means to lead with conviction, build meaningful relationships, and turn bold decisions into lasting impact.

What you’ll learn:

• How courage fuels career growth in education leadership
• The power of partnerships in expanding opportunity
• Why resilience strengthens influence and impact
• How to create pathways for others while building your own
• What it takes to lead with confidence in evolving education spaces

Pam’s story is a reminder that courage isn’t just personal — it’s bankable. When you invest in bold decisions, the return multiplies across communities.

If you’re an educator, district leader, or education partner passionate about growth and impact, this episode offers inspiration and practical insight for leading with courage.

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

Recorded at AASA NCE Conference