From reimagining neighborhood schools to coaching leaders through liberation and change, Malka Borrego shares how authenticity, proximity to community, and systems-level leadership can transform education and the people within it.Malka Borrego is a third-generation Angeleno, proud Latina, and longtime public education leader whose work has reshaped educational access in Los Angeles. She is the founder of Equitas Academy, a K–12 public charter school system rooted in Pico Union, and the founder of MB Consulting Company, where she now supports school systems, leaders, and boards navigating complexity and change. Across nearly three decades in public education, Malka has remained deeply committed to designing schools and leadership structures that center the communities they serve.Her journey began with a simple but powerful realization: schools were not designed for her community’s success. After witnessing families bused hours away from Pico Union for school, Malka returned home after college to build something different. What started in 2009 as a single school serving 100 students grew into six thriving schools, allowing students to attend high-quality schools within walking distance. Along the way, she confronted stark inequities, including the reality that while Latino students make up nearly half of public school enrollment, they remain dramatically underrepresented in leadership.In the conversation, Malka shares hard-earned lessons from scaling Equitas, stepping down as CEO in 2022, and returning later to see the organization flourish under Dr. Sophia Roditti’s leadership. She discusses her transition into governance strategy and liberation coaching, including her training with Coaching for Healing, Justice, and Liberation. Central to her approach is the belief that authenticity is not a liability, but a strategic superpower, and one that allows leaders to serve with clarity, dignity, and impact.This episode explores leadership through an anti-oppression lens, the future of education post-COVID, and how leaders can build extraordinary institutions without sacrificing their humanity. Malka’s reflections on boundaries, energy, and wholeness offer powerful takeaways for anyone leading through uncertainty. Tune in to hear a grounded, hopeful conversation about building systems and lives that truly work.Chapters🎙️ 00:31 Meet Malka Borrego and transforming education in Pico Union🎧 01:01 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com 🏫 02:26 Founding and growing Equitas Academy🌆 05:07 Navigating challenges and successes in Pico Union🧭 11:05 Leadership evolution and future endeavors📘 19:13 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org 🤝 27:31 Building success through Latino leadership cohorts⚖️ 28:40 Challenges and opportunities in race-focused leadership work🌱 30:42 Reflections on leadership identity and personal growth🏡 36:15 Balancing family life with professional leadership🚀 40:20 If You Are a Leader or Changemaker Looking for Support, Check Out geniusdiscovery.org 🔮 43:08 Future aspirations and closing reflections🎙️ 53:00 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org LinksWebsite: https://www.equitasacademy.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/equitas-academy-charter-school/Connect with Malka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malkaborrego/Connect with Malka Borrego to learn more about her work in educational equity, leadership coaching, and system-level transformation, and explore how leading authentically can create lasting change for communities and institutions alike.Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.comPublish a Book That Matters:  http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters:  http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.orgFor more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ Stay strong. 

From middle school teacher to Ironman athlete and DC State Board of Education president, Jessica Sutter shares how endurance, youth voice, and values-aligned leadership can transform both systems and lives.Jessica Sutter is the founder of EdPro Consulting and a longtime education leader whose career spans classrooms, state policy, nonprofit consulting, and elected office. Beginning as a middle school teacher in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, she built a reputation for thoughtful systems design and deep respect for young people as civic actors. Her work has included serving as the elected Ward 6 Representative, and later President, of the DC State Board of Education, alongside advising organizations nationwide through EdPro Consulting. Across every role, Jessica brings a rare blend of policy expertise, community listening, and whole-person leadership.A defining throughline in Jessica’s journey has been endurance athletics, which began unexpectedly when her students invited her to join Girls on the Run. What started as road running grew into triathlons and Ironman training, providing mental clarity, resilience, and structure during demanding seasons of leadership. She credits athletic discipline along with friendships and communities outside of work for helping her complete her doctorate, run for office, and navigate public leadership without burnout. The conversation also highlights how coaching in sports reshaped her belief that no meaningful challenge is solved alone.Throughout the episode, Jessica shares practical insights on authentic youth engagement, emphasizing that young people immediately sense inauthenticity. Drawing from Jesuit principles of working “for and with others,” she describes how real change happens when adults listen first and create structures where youth voices genuinely matter, including on decision-making committees. She also challenges assumptions in education leadership by reframing organizational mergers as opportunities for resilience, growth, and legacy rather than failure.At its core, Jessica discusses alignment between body and mind, values and work, service and sustainability. Jessica reflects on what she calls “sacred syncretism,” the integration of personal, professional, and spiritual dimensions that allows leaders to show up fully for others. Listeners will walk away inspired to rethink leadership, community, and the many ways their unique gifts can serve the world. Tune in for a grounded, hopeful conversation on building resilient systems, and a resilient self.Chapters🎙️ 00:39 Meet Jessica Sutter educator and policy leader📘 01:27 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/ 🛤️ 03:11 Jessica Sutter’s journey from accidental educator to policy leader🏃‍♀️ 09:16 How athletics shaped professional growth and resilience✍️ 14:49 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 🤝 19:16 Why community and coaching matter for leadership🗳️ 27:25 Engaging young people in the political process🎓 29:23 Lessons on authentic youth engagement from classrooms to school boards⚖️ 31:10 Challenges and opportunities in youth civic engagement🌱 34:50 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 🏫 37:22 Consulting work and mergers in the education sector🧭 46:54 Aligning personal values with professional life🎧 54:14 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.com  LinksWebsite: https://www.edproconsultingllc.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicasutter/Explore Jessica Sutter’s work through EdPro Consulting, connect with her on LinkedIn, and dive deeper into her writing and leadership to see how values-driven systems change can take root in communities.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ 

From educator to nonprofit leader, Cathy shares her journey of transforming education and community engagement, helping Bexar County’s youth access post-secondary opportunities while empowering women leaders and cultivating meaningful partnerships.Cathy recently joined Up Partnership in San Antonio as a leader of a nonprofit backbone network supporting the Future Ready Plan, a bold initiative aiming to ensure seventy percent of Bexar County’s 550,000 youth pursue post-secondary education by 2030. With 21 years in public schools, including 14 in Austin ISD, she brings deep experience as a teacher, administrator, and assistant superintendent, as well as 13 years leading a nonprofit in Austin. Cathy’s career reflects a steadfast dedication to student success, mentorship, and building systems that amplify community impact.Her path was shaped by pivotal moments, including the realization that legislative mandates and budget constraints limited her ability to effect change within schools. Transitioning to the nonprofit sector allowed Cathy to complement educational efforts rather than bear them entirely, offering flexibility to engage volunteers, provide mentoring relationships, and ignite student passion for learning. Personal experiences, such as balancing a demanding career with raising her own children, further informed her approach to leadership and work-life integration.Cathy shares practical insights on fostering effective partnerships, supporting women leaders, and implementing strategic interventions that create measurable outcomes. From mentoring staff to coordinating school and community resources, she emphasizes that small but intentional efforts can open significant opportunities for students. Her leadership frameworks blend empathy, strategic alignment, and professional development, enabling individuals and organizations to thrive.Listeners will gain inspiration from Cathy’s story of courage, adaptability, and lifelong learning, seeing how one leader can impact systems, communities, and future generations. Tune in to hear how she navigates complex challenges, builds meaningful connections, and continues to lead with heart, vision, and purpose.Chapters👋 00:30 Meet Dr. Cathy Jones and UP Partnership🎧 01:06 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com 📚 01:40 Cathy’s Journey in Education and Nonprofit Work⚖️ 04:02 Challenges and Rewards in Public and Nonprofit Work🤝 10:49 The Importance of Partnerships and the Future Ready Plan✍️ 22:38 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org 👩‍💼 25:36 Reflecting on Women’s Leadership Challenges🏡 26:59 Balancing Career and Family🌱 28:22 Mentorship and Leadership Development🌟 32:53 If You Are a Leader or Changemaker Looking for Support, Check Out geniusdiscovery.org 📝 34:38 Board Engagement and Challenges🚀 41:57 Personal Growth and New Beginnings🎙️ 47:04 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org LinksWebsite: UP PartnershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uppartnershipsa/Connect with Cathy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyjonesphd2025/Connect with Cathy, explore the Future Ready Plan, and follow her work to support youth education, community partnerships, and leadership development across San Antonio.Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.comPublish a Book That Matters:  http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters:  http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.orgFor more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ Stay strong.  

From educator to organizational designer and education advocate, Jenai Emmel shares how a life shaped by service, spirituality, and public education led her to reimagine leadership, storytelling, and systemic change in schools.Jenai Emmel is the founder of Byrd and the Center for Education News, where she works at the intersection of organizational design, culture, and public education advocacy. With a 25-year career spanning roles as a teacher, school and district leader, and consultant, Jenai brings a rare blend of lived experience and strategic insight to the education sector. Her work centers on listening deeply to stakeholders, including students, educators, families, and communities, to design systems that truly serve those closest to the work.Throughout the conversation, Jenai reflects on formative influences that shaped her leadership, including her military family heritage, multicultural background, and Buddhist upbringing. She shares how these experiences instilled a strong sense of service, growth, and accountability, and how adversity has consistently served as fuel rather than a barrier. Rather than chasing endless achievement, she emphasizes integration by aligning personal, professional, and spiritual dimensions to create sustainable impact.Jenai also discusses her transition into independent consulting and media work, including merging her ventures under one organization and launching the Center for Education News after discovering how little and how negatively K–12 education is covered in the media. Drawing from Buddhist principles of cause and effect and continuous improvement, she explains how personal transformation and community change are inseparable. Her leadership approach prioritizes reflection, feedback, and the courage to engage complexity instead of oversimplifying it.This episode offers a thoughtful reflection on purpose-driven leadership, the responsibility that comes with independence, and the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices in education. Tune in and get inspired to ground your work in values, and care for yourself while serving others.Chapters👋 00:39 Meet Dr. Jenai Emmel and her vision for reimagining education📘 01:19 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/🌍 02:09 Dr. Jenai Emmel’s story of identity values and multiculturalism🧘 05:18 How Buddhism shapes Dr. Jenai Emmel’s leadership approach✨ 11:20 Exploring spirituality and personal belief systems✍️ 29:04 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org❤️ 30:49 Empathy and learning how to manage emotional weight🌱 34:23 Balancing self-care with professional growth🚀 45:04 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org🎓 45:39 Advocacy work and the future of compulsory education🎙️ 51:23 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.comLinksExplore Jenai's work through Byrd and the Center for Education News to engage more deeply with thoughtful, inclusive conversations shaping the future of public education.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/  

From Watts to leading a national education movement, Sharhonda Bossier shares her journey of championing educational equity and economic mobility for young people of color while redefining leadership with purpose and authenticity.Sharhonda Bossier, CEO of Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC), has dedicated her career to uplifting Black and Latino students and supporting talented leaders of color in education. A former public school teacher and nonprofit advocate, she is known for her commitment to disrupting cycles of generational poverty and creating holistic solutions for communities historically denied opportunity. Sharhonda’s leadership is deeply informed by her Catholic upbringing, her grandparents’ practice of mutual aid, and the liberation theology that shaped her understanding of social justice.Her journey has been marked by pivotal transitions and challenges. Initially pursuing law and then teaching, she witnessed firsthand the systemic inequities affecting students of color. Personal and professional advice prompted her to move from direct service work into nonprofit leadership and philanthropy, allowing her to align financial stability with her mission-driven work. Along the way, she grappled with questions of identity, leadership style, and the societal expectations placed on Black women in professional spaces.Sharhonda emphasizes values-based leadership and the importance of creating spaces where others can thrive. She shares practical insights on cultivating inclusive networks, mentoring emerging leaders, and embracing authenticity without compromising one’s purpose. Her philosophy centers on nurturing others’ potential and fostering environments where talent and innovation can flourish. She also speaks candidly about balancing meaningful work with financial security, reflecting on systemic disparities in education and the economic challenges facing even highly skilled professionals.Listeners will gain inspiration and actionable wisdom from Sharhonda’s reflections on leadership, resilience, and personal growth. Her story underscores the power of mentorship, intentional career navigation, and integrating personal values into professional life. Tune in to hear how Sharhonda’s experiences offer lessons on courage, service, and redefining success on your own terms.Chapters 👩‍💼 00:31 Meet Sharhonda Bossier and Her Journey as a Reluctant Leader🎙️ 00:55 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com🏫 01:54 Sharhonda’s Early Life and Career Beginnings⚖️ 05:15 Challenges and Realities of Leadership📚 10:38 The Future of Public Education and Leadership✍️ 19:43 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org🧩 29:31 Exploring Introversion and Leadership🌟 32:02 Navigating Socialization and Ambition⚖️ 36:20 Balancing Personal and Professional Life💡 40:26 If You Are a Leader or Changemaker Looking for Support, Check Out geniusdiscovery.org 🏃‍♀️ 43:57 Physical Wellness and Endurance Challenges🎯 49:14 Advice for the Next Generation🎧 53:51 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.orgLinksWebsite: EdLoC Connect with Sharhonda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharhonda-bossier-92a40a65/Connect with Sharhonda Bossier through EdLoC to explore her work supporting education leaders of color, learn about advocacy initiatives, and discover ways to engage with programs that drive systemic change.Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.comPublish a Book That Matters:  http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters:  http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.orgFor more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ Stay strong.