In this special summer 2026 episode of Leader to Leader, Darryl Cobb, President of the Charter School Growth Fund, sits down with Yeime Valle, CEO and Executive Director of Brilla Public Charter Schools, a network of eight schools serving approximately 2,500 students across the Bronx.

Yeime reflects on immigrating from Panama, growing up without her mother and father present, and how her own experiences as a student shaped her belief that educators must understand the whole child, not only the behavior they see in the classroom. She shares her unconventional path from business and school operations to becoming Brilla’s first Black woman CEO, and why her journey helps students and families see what may also be possible for them.

From home visits and family partnerships to Brilla’s unapologetic focus on literacy and character formation, Yeime explains how clarity helped the network increase the percentage of students reading at grade level. She also discusses representation, leading through difficult decisions, blocking out external noise, and keeping the focus on the child directly in front of you.

Join Darryl Cobb, President of the Charter School Growth Fund, for the final episode of Leader to Leader Season 2, as he sits down with Tori Jackson Hines, the founder of Atlanta’s Resurgence Hall. They explore how a school that consistently ranks in the top 2% of all Georgia schools, even outperforming the state's most affluent communities, is actually a "human development organization" at its core. During their conversation, Hines reveals the personal mission behind her "unapologetic" focus on literacy and her rejection of the "talent desert" myth by hiring for heart over technical mastery. She also shares the remarkable story of how she championed a culture where women can thrive as both elite leaders and mothers. Hines leaves listeners with a powerful look at what happens when an organization is built on the belief that there is no more important work than developing both "big people and little people,” prioritizing both the students and the adults in the building.

Join Darryl Cobb, President of the Charter School Growth Fund, as he sits down with Carlos Gonzalez, former Director of Schools at HIVE Preparatory, to explore how a “win every minute” mindset helped turn a bold vision into sustained results for students. From growing up in Little Havana to stepping into education after a career detour, and then launching a charter school with just days to spare during the recession – Carlos shares the founding story behind HIVE Preparatory and the leadership lessons that shaped its culture during his tenure. He breaks down what it looked like to protect teachers, build a school where adults and students showed up with purpose, and create an environment where rigorous instruction and strong relationships reinforced each other. Carlos also reflects on spreading the HIVE approach beyond one campus, partnering with Beacon College Prep and helping accelerate outcomes, while keeping the focus on what mattered most: great teaching, every day, in every classroom.

Join Darryl Cobb, President of the Charter School Growth Fund, for Episode 4 of Leader to Leader Season 2 as he sits down with Julie Jackson, Co-CEO of Uncommon Schools, to explore what it takes to lead one of the nation’s most impactful public charter networks. With nearly three decades in education experience, from classroom teacher to national leader, Julie has built her career around a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves an outstanding education that prepares them for college and life beyond. In this episode, Julie reflects on Uncommon’s growth to more than 50 schools serving over 20,000 students, shares how a culture of joy and rigor drives both student achievement and teacher excellence, and offers candid insights on leadership, scale, and staying relentlessly focused on outcomes for students.

Join Darryl Cobb, President of the Charter School Growth Fund, for Episode 3 of Leader to Leader Season 2 as he sits down with Isabel Garcia, Executive Director of RCMA. Founded in 1965, RCMA began as a single child development center serving farmworker families and has since grown to 55 centers and 3 charter schools across rural Florida. Isabel, herself the child of farmworker families, shares how access to teachers, mentors, and opportunity shaped her journey and now fuels her leadership. In this episode, Isabel reflects on what it takes to serve hard-to-reach communities, sustain mission-driven growth, and ensure that when children are given the same opportunities, so much truly is possible.

Join Darryl Cobb, President of the Charter School Growth Fund, for a special edition of the Leader to Leader podcast recorded live at NACSACon 2025. Darryl sits down with Dr. Adriana Tamez—educator, executive leader, and fierce advocate for Houston’s underserved communities—to unpack what it takes to build and sustain great public schools.

Drawing on her upbringing and a career grounded in service, Dr. Tamez reflects on her path from classroom teacher to President & CEO of the Tejano Center and Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success. Guided by a belief in education as the key to opportunity, she brings a powerful, community-centered lens to leadership.

Together, Darryl and Dr. Tamez explore academic excellence, collaboration, and the day-to-day realities of serving diverse communities—offering clear, real-world insights for school leaders, policymakers, and advocates alike.

Join Darryl Cobb, President of the Charter School Growth Fund, for Episode 2 of Leader to Leader Season 2 as he sits down with Jamar McKneely, CEO of InspireNOLA Charter Schools. Since co-founding InspireNOLA in 2013, Jamar has built one of Louisiana’s highest-performing charter networks, rooted in a mission to inspire and empower every student to reach their full potential. In this episode, Jamar shares how his experiences growing up in Louisiana and serving as a teacher and principal shaped his belief that strong schools can transform entire communities, and reflects on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. From academic excellence to civic leadership, Jamar shares his perspective on what it means to lead with purpose, build trust, and invest in the next generation of leaders.

Join Darryl Cobb, President of the Charter School Growth Fund, in the Season 2 premiere of the Leader to Leader podcast series, featuring Roblin Webb, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Preparatory Charter Schools. In this episode, Roblin shares how she built Freedom Prep from a single school into a thriving network serving more than 2,500 students across Memphis and Birmingham. Hear how her unwavering belief that education is the key to liberation has shaped her leadership and the network’s mission to prepare every student to excel in college and in life. 

Join Darryl Cobb, president of the Charter School Growth Fund, in a back-to-school limited series of the 'Leader to Leader' podcast, featuring Pablo Cesar Villavicencio, CEO of Alliance College-Ready Public Schools in Los Angeles, California. In this candid conversation recorded Live at the National Charter Schools Conference, Pablo reflects on his journey from South LA to the helm of one of the largest and most impactful charter school networks in the country. He shares how his personal experiences as a student, educator, and leader shape his belief in the power of public education to change lives. Pablo and Darryl dive into what it means to lead with humility, hold high expectations, and stay deeply connected to the communities they serve.

Join Darryl Cobb, president of the Charter School Growth Fund, in a back-to-school limited series of the 'Leader to Leader' podcast, featuring Peter Anderson, Head of Schools at Washington Latin Public Charter Schools in Washington, D.C. In this thoughtful and energizing conversation recorded Live at the National Charter Schools Conference, Peter shares how classical education, deep community roots, and a relentless commitment to academic excellence are shaping the future of Washington, D.C.'s students. From his early days as a teacher to now leading one of the city's most respected charter networks, Peter talks with Darryl about building a culture of joy, scholarship, and belonging and why honoring both tradition and innovation is key to lasting impact.