As part of the Bold Women Collective, Jolene Levin sits down with Education Consultant Deb O’Riley, International Director for Learning Environments Australasia, for a powerful conversation on how learning spaces shape belonging, wellbeing, and possibility. With 35 years of experience across teaching, principalship, and school-design leadership, Deb brings a sharp, empathetic lens to what kids truly need from the environments they learn in.

In this episode:

• How the journey—from Adelaide to principal to consultant—shaped her philosophy

• Why relationships, care, and knowing every child truly matter

• The impact of bringing the educator’s voice into the school and space design

• How agile, flexible spaces and indoor–outdoor flow uplift all learners

• The legacy she hopes to leave: safe, curious, connected places for kids

At the Bold Women Collective event at EDspaces, Darlene Akers sits down with architect Hila Stern, principal of HSB Architecture, for an inspiring conversation about how neuroscience can transform the way learning environments are created. Hila shares how empathetic, science-informed design can shape classrooms where students feel grounded, teachers feel supported, and entire communities flourish.

In this episode:

• How the Bold Women Collective gathering at EDspaces sparked this conversation

• What neuroscience reveals about how space influences emotion, focus, and connection

• Why natural light, views, movement, and biophilic design elevate learning

• The impact of flexible, choice-driven environments for neurodiverse and neurotypical students

• Real stories of schools uplifted through intentional, research-backed design by HSB Architecture & Design

Recorded at EDspaces

On the BWC Backstory podcast, Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket, principal of a National Blue Ribbon School in Howard County, Maryland, and president of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals, to explore how one bold leader is shaping the future of education through authenticity, mentorship, and heart-centered leadership.

Dr. Ido-Eckert shares how her journey prepared her to:

• Lead with transparency, collaboration, and deep relationships
• Build strong school cultures rooted in community, belonging, and shared strengths
• Mentor women educators by modeling balance, boundary-setting, and sustainable leadership
• Navigate the challenges of today’s schools with clarity, courage, and compassion

With warmth, humility, and powerful insight, Dr. Ido-Eckert reminds us that when leaders show up with authenticity and purpose, they strengthen not only their schools—but the lives, families, and futures connected to them.

On the BWC Backstory podcast, Jolene Levin sits down with Kelsey Jordan, Associate Director of PreK–12 at Legat Architects, to explore how one bold leader is reshaping the future of educational design through empathy, honesty, and purpose.

Kelsey shares how her journey prepared her to:
• Blend art, science, and heart to create spaces where all learners can thrive

• Forge her path as a woman in architecture with courage and clarity

• Align personal values with professional purpose

• Design learning environments that bring peace, dignity, and opportunity to every student and educator

With honesty, humility, and contagious passion, Kelsey reminds us that when we design with empathy, we build more than spaces — we build futures filled with possibility.

On the BWC Backstory podcast, Jolene Levin sits down with Karyn Richmond, Wellness Coordinator for the Sun Prairie Area School District, to explore how one bold leader transformed wellness from a “nice to have” into a measurable strategy for thriving people and powerful results.

Karyn shares how her journey prepared her to;

• Build a culture of care that prioritizes both people and performance

• Lead with data, purpose, and deep human connection

• Redefine success through sustainable wellness and engagement

• Turn passion into measurable impact and vision into action

With insight, empathy, and an unwavering belief that connection equals wellness, Karyn reminds us that when we invest in our people, the returns reach far beyond the balance sheet.

On the BWC Backstory podcast, Darlene Akers, Founder of Akers Business Solutions, sits down with Nora Fenlon, Chief Commercial Officer at Via Seating, to explore how an inspired journey from Ireland to America—and a life-changing encounter with active seating—sparked a career dedicated to wellness, innovation, and inclusion.

Nora shares how her story has shaped her passion to:• Transform workplace wellness through purposeful, movement-driven design• Bridge science and empathy to create solutions that support every body• Foster inclusivity and connection across the design industry• Lead with curiosity, gratitude, and the belief that alignment—like ergonomics—is everything

With candor, wisdom, and a touch of Irish charm, Nora Fenlon reminds us that when passion meets purpose, comfort becomes a catalyst for change.

Recorded at NeoCon

On the BWC Backstory podcast, Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Christine Counts, VP of Education at MiEN Company, and Kate Forcucci, EdS, Chief Education Strategist at PD by MiEN, to explore how two bold educators turned curiosity into courage and passion into purpose.

They share how their paths prepared them to;

• Reimagine learning by designing environments that empower every student
• Build authentic connections that drive impact and belonging
• Lead with courage, compassion, and the power of saying “yes”
• Turn challenges into opportunities through reflection, mentorship, and resilience

With heart, humor, and an unshakable belief in failing forward, Christine and Kate remind us that growth begins the moment you take the leap.

On the BWC Backstory podcast, Darlene Akers sits down with Heidi Grinde, Director of Category Management at Global Industrial, whose fearless journey from pharma to industrial leadership is all about grit, growth, and bold moves.

She shares how her path prepared her to:

• Turn vision into strategy — and strategy into results

• Build powerhouse teams fueled by trust and collaboration

• Break barriers and lead with confidence in male-dominated industries

• Drive innovation that transforms both business and people

With courage, clarity, and a voice that doesn’t wait for permission, Heidi proves that bold leadership starts when you stop asking — and start doing.

Recorded live at NeoCon in the Dauphin Showroom.

On the BWC Backstory podcast, Jolene Levin sits down with Heather Durkac, Chief Innovation Officer at Gaggle, to uncover her inspiring professional journey.

She shares how her path prepared her to:

• Embrace tenacity by stepping into roles and challenges others avoided

• Transform problems into opportunities through training, process, and innovation

• Advocate for herself by creating her own pathways to leadership

• Lead with humility, gratitude, and a focus on the journey, not just the destination

With resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to saying “yes” even when uncertain, Heather shows how bold choices and persistence can shape a career of lasting impact.

Join Jolene Levin and Dr. Deb Kerr on the BWC Backstory Podcast as they sit down with Dr. Atiya Perkins, Superintendent of Linden Public Schools, to share her inspiring journey from substitute teacher to leading the very district where she once studied.

She reflects on how her path prepared her to:

• Stay grounded in the community by leading in the place that shaped her life

• Build diverse, unified schools where every student’s voice matters

• Elevate her team by bringing colleagues into spaces of growth and connection

• Lead with authenticity, humility, and a belief that leadership is never a solo journey

With resilience, gratitude, and a commitment to empowering others, Dr. Perkins shows how bold leadership can transform not only schools, but entire communities.

Recorded live at Leadhership Network for Women Conference 2025