Join host Pablo Muñoz for an enlightening conversation with his featured guest — Gabriella Bermea.

Gabriella is a senior associate and architect at Perkins Eastman.  She was raised along the Texas-Mexico border and brings a unique perspective to her work, ensuring that every design is a reflection of the people it serves—honoring culture, history, and the diversity of needs across rural and urban school districts.  Gabriella is a highly sought-after author, speaker, and facilitator who develops content centered on K-12 development, educational architecture, community design, expanded access to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, and design education.

1:03 - Introduction
2:16 - My Leadership Story
18:48 - Public Education Architecture
33:08 - Design Architect
35:09 - Latina Leaders
41:18 - Mentorship
43:55 - Latino Communities
46:37 - Equity and Access
48:59 - Guiding Principles

Gabriella Bermea is driven by a passion for creating equitable and inspiring educational environments.  She brings a deep commitment to community-centered design and public education, drawing from her heritage and love for the places that shaped her.  Gabriella integrates inclusive design, sustainable architecture, and stakeholder engagement to build schools that serve as the heart of their communities.  She also brings experience in the architecture, philanthropy, and advocacy industries to her work.  Gabriella is known for fostering strong client relationships and frequently shares her insights on educational architecture, expanding access to STEM fields, and the power of community in shaping the future.

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/gabriella-bermea-aia

Instagram:  instagram.com/gabbybermea/

Facebook:  facebook.com/gabriella.bermea

Website:  perkinseastman.com

Email:  [email protected]


Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

For additional information visit:  themunozcompany.com

Learn about The Leader’s Algorithm:  themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo:  themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email:  [email protected]

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an inspiring conversation with his featured guest — Jorge Lopez.

Jorge was not supposed to become a teacher, counselor, CEO, or member of the California State School Board.  In fact, based on the statistics, he wasn't supposed to make it at all.  Jorge, a former high school dropout, has a deeply personal mission: to break the cycle of underachievement and disconnection that has trapped so many Latino and Black students.

1:03 - Introduction
1:50 - My Leadership Story
26:06 - Amethod Public Schools
33:00 - Bay Area Hispano Institute for Advancement
40:34 - Teamwork
45:00 - Aspira Foundation 
48:40 - Principal
52:07 - Political Dog Fights
57:13 - Guiding Principles

Jorge Lopez is a leader who wakes up every day with one goal in mind: to create lasting, transformative impact in the lives of underserved families and communities.  With over 25 years in education and the nonprofit world, he made it his mission to ensure that opportunity and equity aren’t just ideals but realities for the people and organizations he serves.  Jorge’s journey began as the first-generation son of Mexican immigrants who moved to the San Francisco Bay Area for a better life.  He was raised in Richmond, California, and educated in the public schools of Richmond and Berkeley.  Jorge witnessed firsthand the challenges our communities face—and the resilience they possess.

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/jorgellopez06

Email:  [email protected]


Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

For additional information visit:  themunozcompany.com

Learn about The Leader’s Algorithm:  themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo:  themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email:  [email protected]

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an informative conversation with his featured guest — Melissa España.

Melissa has dedicated 28 years of her life to education, with 19 of those years serving as an administrator.  Being a proud Latina woman, she has had the opportunity to work in various urban school districts in New Jersey.  Melissa is focused on providing the best possible education to the communities and students she is privileged to serve.

1:03 - Introduction
1:55 - My Leadership Story
15:28 - Assistant Superintendent of Schools
22:51 - Educational Leadership
34:41 - Mentorship
37:17 - Latina Leaders
42:12 - Learn, Grow, and Develop as a Leader
44:00 - Guiding Principles

Melissa España was born in New York City and moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey when she was five.  Her Cuban American mother and stepfather raised her, and she is also of Ecuadorian descent.  Melissa attended school in Elizabeth and later went to Kean University in Union, New Jersey.  Growing up, she was passionate about dancing and dreamt of performing on Broadway.  However, when Melissa was in college, her mother suggested that she consider teaching, as her mother believed Melissa had a natural talent for captivating an audience.  Taking her mother’s advice, Melissa began teaching and had the opportunity to work with bilingual children in a second grade classroom at the Elizabeth Public Schools.  She later pursued a master's degree in bilingual education and obtained administrative certifications.  Throughout her teaching career, Melissa continued to pursue her love for dance, particularly salsa and Latin dance, and immersed herself in the vibrant Hispanic music culture for over 20 years.  Melissa has two wonderful sons, Steven and Evan.  Evan is a junior in high school, and Steven is in his fifth year of college, studying to be an architect.  Melissa has had the privilege of working in Elizabeth, East Orange, Perth Amboy, and now in Paterson, New Jersey, where she serves as the assistant superintendent overseeing the high schools.

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/melissa-españa-baa077260

Email:  [email protected]


Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

For additional information visit:  themunozcompany.com

Learn about The Leader’s Algorithm:  themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo:  themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email:  [email protected]

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a delightful conversation with his featured guest — Liteove Rodriguez-Tighe.

Lita is an educational consultant specializing in early childhood education.  She was the director of early childhood education for the Passaic Public Schools in New Jersey.  Lita successfully led a preschool program whose classrooms are featured on the New Jersey Department of Education website, and she developed and implemented a systematic approach to support multilingual learners in the preschool settings.

1:03 - Introduction
1:58 - My Leadership Story
32:36 - Early Childhood Education
37:54 - Educational Leadership
43:11 - Leading Buy-In
49:17 - COVID-19
53:33 - Family Engagement
57:36 - Teamwork
1:02:48 - Guiding Principles

Liteove Rodriguez-Tighe is a first-generation Cuban-American, born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where her family settled after leaving Cuba in the late 1960s.  As the youngest of three, with siblings significantly older than her and born in Cuba, she grew up in a bilingual household.  Her father, who was educated and bilingual, worked long hours, and her mother, who had only limited schooling and spoke no English, struggled to engage with Lita's school due to language barriers.  Despite these challenges, Lita developed a strong love for learning, often choosing books and notebooks over toys.

Lita started as a preschool teacher in a private provider setting and later taught in the Elizabeth Public Schools in New Jersey.  In 2004, she became a vice principal, and by 2007, she was promoted to principal of a dual language preschool program.  Lita eventually accepted a position in Passaic, New Jersey, where she concluded her career as the director of early childhood education.  Throughout her career, Lita has been dedicated to supporting multilingual learners, fostering family engagement, and building strong, collaborative teams.

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/liteove-rodriguez-tighe-825736129

Email:  [email protected]


Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

For additional information visit:  themunozcompany.com

Learn about The Leader’s Algorithm:  themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo:  themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email:  [email protected]

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a wonderful conversation with his featured guest — Yolanda Valdez.

Yolanda is a seasoned educator with an unwavering dedication to improving students' lives through education.  With an impressive career spanning 34 years, she has touched countless hearts and minds, leaving an indelible mark on the educational landscape.  Yolanda has a great passion for empowering leaders and inspiring excellence.

1:03 - Introduction
1:54 - My Leadership Story
16:34 - Superintendent of Schools
19:55 - Educational Leadership
26:37 - Latina Leaders
30:51 - Engaging the Community
37:32 - Teamwork
39:08 - Learn, Grow, and Develop as a Leader
41:41 - Guiding Principles

Yolanda Valdez is a distinguished school administrator and has held leadership positions at all school levels.  Currently, she is the superintendent of Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District in California, serving 4,000 students, primarily Hispanic and English language learners, all of whom qualify for the free lunch program.  Yolanda has increased graduation rates, doubled acceptance rates to the University of California and California State University, created new pathways and academies, and significantly upgraded school district facilities.

Yolanda earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fresno State University.  She is involved in the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County, the Tulare Charter Association of California School Administrators, and the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA).  Yolanda's mantra is "Dream Big, Work Hard, Give Back," reflecting her dedication to education and servant leadership.

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/yolanda-valdez-b35a9342

Instagram:  instagram.com/yolandavaldez0906/

Facebook:  facebook.com/yolanda.valdez.75436

Email:  [email protected]


Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

For additional information visit:  themunozcompany.com

Learn about The Leader’s Algorithm:  themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo:  themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email:  [email protected]

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an interesting conversation with his featured guest — Marcela Andrés.

Marcela is the president and CEO of designEDengagement, a Latina-owned education consulting company headquartered in Texas.  She is the author of the book Purposeful Educator Connections: Five Principles to Strengthen Relationships with Students.  Marcela maintains an unwavering belief in the transformative potential of connections, especially engaging families, educators, and communities as partners to support students in fulfilling their life's purpose.

1:03 - Introduction
2:14 - My Leadership Story
16:16 - designEDengagement
23:30 - Purposeful Educator Connections
33:44 - Understand Context
38:15 - Meaningful Interactions
41:00 - Oxygen Masks
44:00 - Educational Leadership
46:58 - Guiding Principles

Marcela Andrés leads an education consulting firm on a mission to reimagine how educators, families, and community members partner to support the hopes and dreams of students.  She has developed innovative programs and curricula that have effectively transformed the landscape of family engagement within the education sector by advancing organizational excellence and fostering meaningful relationships.

Marcela was a program director of Raise Your Hand Texas and an operations manager at KIPP Austin Public Schools.  She was also a third- and fourth-grade teacher at a bilingual elementary school in Mexico.  Marcela has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Saint Edward's University and a master's degree in education from Harvard University.

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/marcelaandres

Website:  marcelaandres.com/

Instagram:  instagram.com/designedengagement/

Facebook:  facebook.com/designEDengagement

YouTube:  youtube.com/@designedengagementpbc7882

Website:  designedengagement.com/

Email:  [email protected]


Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

For additional information visit:  themunozcompany.com

Learn about The Leader’s Algorithm:  themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo:  themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email:  [email protected]

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an engaging conversation with his featured guest — Raquel Martinez.

Raquel is the planning principal for Sageview High School in Pasco, Washington.  In addition, Raquel serves as the 2024-2025 National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Board President.

1:03 - Introduction
1:49 - My Leadership Story
13:41 - Principal
16:08 - NASSP President
21:52 - Educational Leadership
26:20 - Latina Leader
29:34 - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
35:46 - Talent and Potential
39:49 - Guiding Principles

Raquel Martinez is in her second year as principal at Sageview High School and has worked in education for 18 years.  Previously, she served as the principal of Stevens Middle School for six years and the assistant principal for three years.  Raquel taught biology at Pasco High School for nearly 10 years.  During her final year at Pasco High School, she was the bilingual facilitator.

Email:  [email protected]


Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

For additional information visit:  themunozcompany.com

Learn about The Leader’s Algorithm:  themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo:  themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email:  [email protected]

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an invigorating conversation with his featured guest — Leslie Torres-Rodriguez.

Leslie has woven her personal journey into her mission as superintendent and CEO of the Hartford Public Schools in Connecticut.  Her leadership is characterized by its cultural courage, fostering environments that support holistic student growth.  Having arrived in Hartford as a multilingual learner, Leslie embodies the transformative power of education.

1:03 - Introduction
2:24 - My Leadership Story
19:16 - Superintendent of Schools and CEO
33:28 - Equity-Focused District Model for Excellence
37:01 - Educational Leadership
39:04 - Latina Leader
41:47 - Family and Community Engagement
43:47 - Generative Artificial Intelligence
45:13 - Guiding Principles

Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez is a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico.  She moved to Hartford, Connecticut when she was nine years old.  Leslie is a proud alumna of the Hartford Public Schools.

Leslie has dedicated nearly three decades to the educational landscape of Greater Hartford.  In her role as superintendent of schools and CEO, Leslie has left an indelible mark on the educational ecosystem, reshaping the learning experience for over 17,000 students across 42 diverse educational settings.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Leslie brings a wealth of teaching experience to her leadership role.  She taught social and behavioral science at Capital Community College for seven years and currently serves as a lecturer at Yale University.  Leslie's legacy is one of empowerment, innovation, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child.

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/dr-leslie-torres-rodriguez-442bba103

Email:  [email protected]


Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

For additional information visit:  themunozcompany.com

Learn about The Leader’s Algorithm:  themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo:  themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email:  [email protected]

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a thought-provoking conversation with his featured guest — Fiorella Cabrejos.

Fiorella is a master principal at the New York City Public Schools.  She has dedicated her career to building opportunities by dismantling apathy and mediocrity in education, particularly for children from historically marginalized communities.

1:03 - Introduction
1:48 - My Leadership Story
16:37 - Master Principal
19:34 - Fordham Leadership Academy
24:38 - Educational Leadership
26:21 - Latina Leader
29:48 - Homelessness
33:27 - Transforming Instruction
39:50 - Guiding Principles

Dr. Fiorella Cabrejos was born in Lima, Peru, and raised in White Plains, New York.  She brings a unique perspective to her role as school leader as both a former public school student and immigrant and a former English language learner.  As principal of Fordham Leadership Academy in Bronx, New York City, since 2015, Fiorella has significantly enhanced student achievement through redesigned systems and innovative programming focused on college and career readiness, aimed at tackling systemic equity issues in education.  Her initiatives include integrating city and state-sponsored college and career training into the larger scope of academic experiences, fostering partnerships for dual enrollment and internships, while ensuring access to quality tier-1 core instruction and responsive literacy programming for all students.  Currently a master principal under the Chancellor's directive, Fiorella supports and scales effective leadership practices district-wide.  She holds a doctorate in education from Fordham University and master’s degrees in school administration and supervision and secondary education.

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/dr-fiorella-cabrejos-ed-d-39b0227b

Email:  [email protected]


Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

For additional information visit:  themunozcompany.com

Learn about The Leader’s Algorithm:  themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo:  themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email:  [email protected]

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a revealing and vulnerable conversation with his featured guest — A.C. Cristales.

A.C. is a speaker, author, and an advocate for educational empowerment and organizational culture.  He has delivered professional development programs across the United States and in Central America, striving to enhance educational practices and environments.  A.C. emphasizes the positive impact of family engagement on academic success.

1:03 - Introduction
1:55 - My Leadership Story
23:40 - Assistant Principal
29:38 - The School of Hard Knocks
32:20 - Cristales Leadership Group
38:30 - Mission-Driven Life
43:58 - Latino Leadership
49:00 - Learn, Grow, and Develop as a Leader
51:47 - Guiding Principles

Dr. A.C. Cristales was born and raised in Garland, Texas.  Despite a challenging upbringing after his father's departure when he was eight, he graduated from high school in three years and began his higher education journey at Richland College.  While working as a bilingual classroom aide in the Garland Independent School District, A.C. became a third-grade newcomer teacher and pursued a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas at Dallas.

By age 23, A.C. earned a master’s in education administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce and rapidly advanced to assistant principal at 24, a role he held for eight years.  He then transitioned to educational consulting and motivational speaking.  In 2022, A.C. earned his doctorate in higher education from Texas A&M University-Commerce, focusing his research on Latino student support and the impact of family engagement on academic achievement.

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/accristales

Website:  acspeaks.com/

Facebook:  facebook.com/ACCristalesfan/

Instagram:  instagram.com/ac_cristales/

Email:  [email protected]


Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

For additional information visit:  themunozcompany.com

Learn about The Leader’s Algorithm:  themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo:  themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email:  [email protected]