This is the first live show for the Leader’s Table recorded at the inaugural Courageous Leadership Conference! In this conversation we get to hear the dynamic journey of LEE Member and Texas State Board of Education Member Staci Childs. Staci is being interviewed by fellow LEE member Brittany Packnett Cunningham. Both leaders discuss race, gender, and the power of being authentically yourself in politics. Staci shares candidly about the real-world challenges and decisions that she faces in her role as an elected leader and how she centers kids and communities. You won’t want to miss this season finale episode! 

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham exemplifies authenticity, honesty, and bravery in leadership. Drawing from her upbringing, experiences, and cultural relevance, she advocates for the importance of community building, in diverse spaces. Brittany underscores the transformative power of collective action and speaking truth to power. She stresses that integrity and courage are essential for driving positive change in the face of adversity.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

As the first woman to represent Ward Two on the Saint Paul City Council, Councilwoman Rebecca Noecker knew from her teenage years that she was destined to challenge the status quo. With a focus on relational leadership and integrity, she tackles divisive issues, such as issuing a response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, with care. Councilwoman Noecker emphasizes the need for active community and civic engagement and inclusive policy making for a better future.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Resilience is a major tool in journalist and activist Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker’s toolbox. Being first-generation Cuban-American, and watching her immigrant mother’s journey, ignited a spark that followed the path of the transformative potential of marginalized communities. Emphasizing the significance of finding one's "impact lane," as the AVP at Moms Clean Air Force and Director of EcoMadres, fighting for clean air on behalf of children and community, she encourages advocacy for meaningful causes and highlights the importance of patience and gratitude in achieving success.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

From early on, a focus on education saved Jean Desravines, who is now the CEO of New Leaders, a nonprofit dedicated to training and equipping education leaders to be powerful forces for change. Guided by his father and high school principal, Desravines highlights the importance of recognizing leaders in daily public service, the value of empathy and proximity in community engagement, and the significance of fidelity to one's mission. Desravines urges leaders to maintain intentional and purposeful leadership in order to serve communities effectively.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Jonah Edelman, co-founder of Stand for Children, recounts his transformative journey from resisting his family's legacy to embracing it, spurred by personal experience and his mother Marian Wright Edelman’s guidance and support. Reflecting on his 28-year tenure leading Stand for Children and his dramatic shift in perspective during that time, Jonah talks about overcoming impostor syndrome, prioritizing service, passion, and legacy over personal ambition, and the significance of sustainability, humility, and mindfulness to effective public leadership.

"The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity.  Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

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.

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.

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.

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.