Darryl serves as President of the Charter School Growth Fund, where he leads investments supporting a national community of over 100 high-performing charter school networks. As the founder of the Emerging CMO Fund, he also supports and invests in charter school leaders of color.

In this episode, Darryl reflects on what failure taught him while leading a charter school in Chicago — and why growth comes from making mistakes rather than avoiding them. He shares why joy belongs in classrooms and boardrooms alike, and how his family shapes his leadership style and keeps him focused on what matters most.

A candid conversation on resilience, leadership, and finding purpose by leaning into unexpected career turns and nonlinear paths.

Recorded live at the inaugural Courageous Leadership Conference, this special episode of The Leaders’ Table features a candid conversation with Texas State Board of Education member Staci Childs.

Interviewed by Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Staci reflects on her journey into public leadership and the real decisions she faces while serving students and communities across Texas. She shares how values, identity, and lived experience shape her leadership, and what it takes to stay grounded while navigating high-stakes systems.

This conversation explores what authentic leadership looks like in practice, especially when the work is challenging and deeply personal.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE. 

What does it look like to lead with both courage and clarity?

In this episode, Brittany Packnett Cunningham shares how her upbringing and lived experience shaped her commitment to truth-telling, community building, and purposeful leadership. She unpacks the role of cultural identity, integrity, and bravery in building movements that last.

Through personal stories and hard-earned insights, Brittany makes the case for leading with conviction, even when the stakes are high.

Rebecca Noecker was the first woman elected to represent Ward Two in Saint Paul. From a young age, she knew she wanted to lead and challenge the status quo.

In this episode, she talks about how relationships, values, and deep listening help her navigate complex topics, including issuing a public response to the Israel and Hamas conflict. Rebecca shares why community engagement matters and how thoughtful policymaking can build trust in a divided landscape.

A timely conversation about leading with care, even when decisions are hard.

Journalist and activist Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker brings a deep sense of purpose to everything she does. As a first-generation Cuban American, her mother’s immigrant journey shaped her belief in the power of community and the potential of underrepresented voices.

Now serving as Associate Vice President at Moms Clean Air Force and Director of EcoMadres, Isabel shares how resilience, advocacy, and cultural identity fuel her work. She encourages listeners to find their own lane of impact and reminds us that meaningful change takes patience, gratitude, and persistence.

She offers a powerful reflection on purpose-driven leadership and fighting for what matters most.

Jean Desravines knows the power of leadership because it changed his life. As CEO of New Leaders, he reflects on how education and mentorship shaped his path and continue to drive his commitment to service.

In this episode, Jean shares lessons from his father and high school principal, and why he believes strong leaders exist in everyday public service. He speaks to the role of empathy, the importance of staying connected to community, and the need to lead with clarity and purpose.

A grounded conversation about mission, trust, and what it means to show up with intention.

Jonah Edelman spent years resisting the legacy of his family before learning to embrace it on his own terms. In this episode, the co-founder of Stand for Children shares how his path was shaped by personal experience, public service, and the influence of his mother, Marian Wright Edelman.

He reflects on nearly three decades of leading Stand for Children, how his mindset shifted over time, and what it took to overcome doubt and impostor syndrome. Jonah speaks candidly about prioritizing purpose over ambition and why humility, mindfulness, and sustainability are essential to lasting leadership.

A powerful story about legacy, growth, and staying grounded in service.

Nancy Gutierrez started as a teacher and principal and now leads as President and CEO of The Leadership Academy, a national nonprofit focused on building strong, justice-driven leaders across the education system.

In this episode, Nancy shares how her hometown roots continue to fuel her commitment to transformational leadership. She discusses the importance of courage in the face of injustice and why proactive, community-connected leaders are essential for real change in schools and beyond.

A conversation about heart, purpose, and what it means to lead with conviction in education.

Dr. Elora Diaz brings heart, experience, and purpose to every space she leads. As governing board president for the Phoenix Elementary No. 1 School District, she draws on her own experiences with educational injustice to create learning environments where students feel safe, seen, and respected.

In this episode, Elora shares why student creativity should be nurtured, how personal values shape public leadership, and what it means to make decisions rooted in what is best for kids. With deep conviction and clarity, she reminds us what strong school leadership can look like when it centers dignity and possibility.

Kentucky State Representative Josie Raymond is reshaping what leadership looks like. A mother of three and former “free lunch kid,” she now fights to expand access to opportunity and education for families navigating poverty.

In this episode, Rep. Raymond shares how her personal story drives her public service and how she balances family, community, and legislative work with grit and clarity. From campaign trail lessons to the realities of policymaking, Josie offers an honest look at what it takes to lead while staying grounded in purpose.

A conversation about persistence, possibility, and public service that delivers.