This special episode of the Leaders Build Leaders Podcast marks Black History Month with a unique and personal conversation featuring Dr. Coakley. With the roles reversed, Marifer Sager, Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs and executive producer of the podcast, steps into the interviewer’s seat.

Dr. Coakley reflects on his journey to becoming a superintendent, recognizes the mentors and colleagues who shaped his path, and shares insights on leadership, purpose, and service. Join us for this inspiring episode highlighting leadership stories from MESD.

Dr. Coakley talks with Jennifer Basham, Senior Program Administrator for MESD’s Outdoor School, about her journey from Outdoor School student to program leader, the power of experiential learning, and how her team is adapting to change while keeping the magic of the outdoors alive for thousands of students each year.

Learn more about Outdoor School at outdoorschool.multnomahesd.org

In this episode of Leaders Build Leaders, Dr. Coakley talks with Geof Garner, program manager for TRIO Programs, about his inspiring and unconventional journey. From his parents’ short-lived drag racing business and early school challenges to serving in the military and working overseas, Geof shares how each experience shaped his “guide on the side” leadership style. The conversation highlights the power of resilience, the importance of the word “yet,” and how programs like TRIO and Upward Bound open doors for first-generation and low-income students.

If you'd like to learn more about alternative pathways at MESD, visit www.multnomahesd.org/programs/trio

As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, we highlight Alejandra Nava, who serves as the Program Administrator for Career Pathways at MESD. Alejandra shares her personal journey and participation in the Multnomah Grow Your Own program (MGYO), a joint endeavor focused on fostering pathways for future educators to enhance the local educational workforce. Gain insight into MGYO's accomplishments, the importance of this collaborative project, and Alejandra's efforts in supporting aspiring educators. Don't miss out on this discussion!

In episode 1 of the new season 3 of Leaders Build Leaders, Dr. Coakley interviews Principal Todd Nicholson, who gives us an inside look at recovery school Rivercrest Academy. Todd shares about his personal journey and about how Rivercrest came to be, what a day looks like, and why it's important.

Learn more about the Rivercrest Academy at rivercrestacademy.multnomahesd.org

In this episode of Leaders Build Leaders, Dr. Coakley interviews Katy Tibbs, who has been an educator, a teacher librarian, and currently Digital Learning & AI Integration Specialist at Multnomah Education Service District. Dr. Coakley and Katy discussed artificial intelligence - how to start using it, its potential impact on education, and resources to learn more, including MESD's upcoming collaboration for the 2025 AI Empowered Education conference.



Learn more about the conference at https://aiempowerededu2025.sched.com

In this episode of Leaders Build Leaders, Dr. Coakley interviews Michael Lopes Serrao, who has been Superintendent of Parkrose School District since 2018 after working for the district since 2002. Dr. Coakley and Superintendent Lopes Serrao speak about their influencers, about the power of curiosity, and about what the future of education might look like.

In this special episode of Leaders Build Leaders, Dr. Coakley takes the podcast on the road to the AESA Conference in Orlando to interview Dr. Joan H. Wade. With over 30 years in public education, Dr. Wade brings a wealth of experience as a library media specialist, technology coordinator, and distance learning director in Wisconsin school districts. She also served as a Wisconsin State Representative from 1998 to 2001 and has been the Executive Director of the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) since 2016.

In this episode, Dr. Coakley sits down with Clackamas Education Service District Superintendent Larry Didway for a one-on-one conversation about leadership styles, balancing work and life, building and sustaining infrastructure to support staff growth, and helping students develop the resilience and adaptability they need for the future.

In this premiere episode of Season Two, Dr. Coakley speaks with Dr. Krista Parent, Director of Executive Leadership at Coalition of School Administrators (COSA ).They explore professional development opportunities and equity-forward options for future educational leaders.