It’s no coincidence that Irene Holtzman spends her days advocating for agile school decision making, and her favorite evenings, rocking the dance floor. But being quick on her feet takes a lot of planning. Put your earbuds in and join us as a fly on the wall for Irene’s reflections on her path from 6th-grade teacher to Executive Director of Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS). From the tough lessons in her first year leading a team to the importance of mentorship from a leader who she describes as “the baddest of the bad”, this interview have you moving to the rhythm.

The Leaders' Table: Irene Holzman, of Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS)

Pull up a seat at the leaders’ table, and join the conversation about making lasting change for kids & communities.  'The Leaders’ Table' podcast surfaces stories from education policy makers, their personal insights on leadership, and the tools & practices that make them successful.

An official podcast for Leadership for Educational Equity.  For more info, visit www.educationalequity.org or email leaderstable@educationalequity.org.

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Nancy Gutierrez is a former teacher and principal now serving as the President and CEO of The Leadership Academy, a nonprofit that has created a national model for teaching and inspiring leadership at every level of the school system.  In our interview, she discusses the importance of proactive leaders who confront injustice, and how the love of her hometown inspires her work everyday.  
 
"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE Studios, from Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Nancy Gutierrez: Community Inspiring Leadership

LEE member Dr. Elora Diaz is the real deal: She has the degrees, she has the experience, but most importantly she is driven by her belief that students’ creativity should be nurtured, and they should be treated with respect. As governing board president for the Phoenix Elementary No. 1 School District, Elora knows how to leverage her personal experiences with educational inequity and create a safe learning environment focused on doing what is best for students. 
 
"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE Studios, from Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Dr. Elora Diaz - Leading through Empathy and Deadlines

This tenacious Kentucky State Representative and mother of three thrives on breaking through barriers. As a self-described former “free lunch kid” in her community, Rep. Raymond now focuses on creating opportunities, particularly pathways to education, for people in poverty. In this interview, Josie shares secrets for keeping her personal and professional life balanced and “running the best campaign your district has ever seen.”  
 
"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE Studios, from Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Josie Raymond: Mothering in the State House (Most Popular Episode!)

At only 26 years old, Carlos Mark Vera has already had a profound impact, landing him on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list as the Founder and Executive Director of Pay Our Interns. After experiencing inequities first hand as a United States Congress and White House intern, he put together a plan that ultimately led to over $48 million being devoted to funding paid congressional career-building opportunities. Listen in to hear how his work is helping pave the way for all students – especially Black, Latinx, and Native American students – to access paid internships, leading to a more equitable workforce and more diverse leadership across all sectors.
 
"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE Studios, from Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Carlos Mark Vera - For Equity, Pay Our Interns

This extra-special episode features a conversation between Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. Originally recorded as part of a virtual event for LEE’s SparkLeadership initiative, this conversation was hosted by former-US Secretary of Education, Dr. John B. King Jr. This episode is full of inspiring takeaways and features questions directly from LEE members. Tune in for a dynamic conversation around racial justice and gain insights from the panelists’ experience in public leadership.

The Leaders' Table: Irene Holzman, of Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS)

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