The Stronger Podcast

Belonging Is Not a Side Issue: The Charter School Coalition That Can Still Say "Diversity" with Sonia Park

Mike Montoya — Thu, 14 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Charter school leader Sonia Park spent her childhood as one of the only kids of color in suburban Philadelphia schools, then watched her own son experience the same othering thirty years later in New York City. She runs the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition because belonging is not a side issue. It is the thing that determines whether kids can thrive.

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya sits down with Sonia, Executive Director of the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition, to talk about why intentionally diverse public schools matter and what it takes to keep building them in a moment when the word "diversity" itself is under federal fire.

Sonia traces her own arc: clean carpets and isolation in the suburbs, older buildings and belonging in the city, two years in Korea that taught her what freedom actually feels like to take for granted, and a winding path through Edison Schools, the New York City DOE under Dennis Walcott, and the U.S. Department of Education under Secretary John King. She is candid about the moment she realized her son was experiencing the same marginalization she had, and what that anger turned into.

DCSC now represents 106 networks and over 280 schools across 26 states and Washington, D.C. Sonia explains why the coalition can say things its member schools no longer can, and why running by herself every day is how she leads.

Listen in for a conversation about belonging and the leadership practice of forgiving yourself when you are not perfect.

Chapters:

🎙️ 00:53 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com

👋 01:32 Meet Sonia Park: from Philadelphia kid to leading 280 charter schools

🏘️ 02:21 Clean carpets versus older buildings: what each kind of school taught her about belonging

🌏 05:55 Two years in Korea: tear gas, cab drivers, and what freedom really means

📰 19:48 An Edison newspaper ad and a charter school career started by accident

🏛️ 23:18 From Manhattan Charter Schools to Secretary John King's Department of Education

📚 26:54 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org

💼 28:30 There was no path: how Sonia weighed each career pivot

🤝 33:31 Inside DCSC: how 106 networks build belonging together

🛡️ 36:42 The coalition that can say what its member schools no longer can

🌟 39:18 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org

🏃 43:36 Running alone every day and the leadership practice of forgiving yourself

🎧 53:35 Find more podcasts that matter at www.podcaststhatmatter.org

Links:
Connect with Sonia C. Park: LinkedIn

Diverse Charter Schools Coalition: https://diversecharters.org/ | LinkedIn

Reach out to Sonia to learn more about the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition's work supporting 106 networks and over 280 intentionally diverse public charter schools across 26 states and Washington, D.C.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

Vision Is Not Enough: How a CEO and COO Scale a National Nonprofit Together - with Vincent Marigna and Alex Serna

Mike Montoya — Thu, 07 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Scaling a 48-year-old national nonprofit takes more than vision. It takes a CEO and COO who trust each other enough to move fast in ambiguity.

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya sits down with Vincent Marigna and Alex Serna, the CEO and COO of Breakthrough Collaborative, a national organization that serves more than 11,000 middle school through college students each summer and exposes 1,100 college-aged future teachers to the rigors and joys of the classroom.

Both men are first-generation college graduates. Vincent came to teaching through Teach for America after a tough first six months in the classroom that he survived by calling his grandmother on the way to school. Alex was on his way into the military with a 2.1 GPA when he found out he would be a father at 17. Higher education changed both of their lives, and now they are running the organization that does that work for tens of thousands of young people every year.

The heart of the conversation is how they actually run it together. Vincent makes his thinking visible the way his first CEO once did for him, putting half-formed ideas on the table early so Alex can take them from there. Alex executes while the picture is still forming and tells Vince when something is broken before being asked. They have a high tolerance for ambiguity and enough trust built through consistent action that they can move at the speed the work requires.

Tune in to hear how two leaders are scaling opportunity for the next generation of students by first investing in the partnership at the top.

Chapters:
🎙️ 00:27 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com

🌱 01:11 Meet Vincent Marigna and Alex Serna of Breakthrough Collaborative

🎲 03:22 Alex went from a 2.1 GPA to seeing education as the thing that could change his life

🧭 05:32 Being open to possibility beats having a perfect plan

🤝 11:11 How a CEO and a COO actually share the load

📚 16:44 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org

🌫️ 17:52 Shape ambiguity at the speed the work requires

🧱 24:18 How Vincent builds trust: do what you say you will do, consistently

✨ 29:34 What kids see when the CEO walks into the room

🌟 32:57 Go from expert to thought leader at www.geniusdiscovery.org

🚀 34:06 Growth with intentionality and the year ahead

💡 39:29 Make your thinking visible: the rhythm of a strong partnership

🎧 44:00 Find more podcasts that matter at www.podcaststhatmatter.org

Links:
Connect with Vincent Marigna: LinkedIn

Connect with Alex Serna: LinkedIn

Breakthrough Collaborative: https://breakthroughcollaborative.org/ | LinkedIn

Reach out to Vincent and Alex to learn more about Breakthrough Collaborative's work scaling educational opportunity for middle school through college students and developing the next generation of teachers across its national affiliate network.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

Succession Is A Verb: Why Building Leaders Who Outlast You Is The Real CEO Job - With Marcia Aaron

Mike Montoya — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Marcia Aaron leads Charter School Growth Fund's investments across Texas, Arizona, Idaho, and Utah, and before that, she spent thirteen years building KIPP SoCal Public Schools from two schools to twenty-two as its founding CEO.

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya sits down with Marcia for a conversation about the three things she is most passionate about, and why each one connects to the others.

Marcia started talking to her board about succession seven years before she left KIPP SoCal. The plan was not an emergency document. It was a real assessment of the team, where it was strong, where it needed to grow, and the development plan for every individual on it. Her successor, Angela, started as a school leader and moved up through director of academics, CAO, and CEO. At CSGF, succession is now a milestone in every grant agreement, and the message Marcia is taking to the field is direct: succession is a verb.

Mike and Marcia also dig into why math has fallen behind, especially in schools serving low-income students. After COVID, schools poured energy into reading and let math facts and fluency slip. The result, in Texas, is portfolios sitting ten to fifteen points below pre-COVID proficiency. The fix is not new math. It is the boring work of direct instruction, automaticity, and Algebra one as the gateway to college and economic mobility.

The third thread is rural education. Half of Idaho's students are rural, and the lowest-performing schools in the state are rural. Marcia talks about traditional brick-and-mortar charters opening in towns of 6,500, online schools in the top 25 statewide, and micro schools partnering with D1 sports programs to reach kids who would otherwise lose access.

Tune in to hear why succession is the most overlooked responsibility in leadership and why building something strong in the moment is not enough if it does not last after you leave.

Chapters:

🎙️ 00:27 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com

⛰️ 01:51 From Wall Street to charter schools: Marcia Aaron's path to Park City and CSGF

🏫 04:56 Building KIPP SoCal from 2 schools to 22, and the alumni who came through it

📐 10:13 What COVID did to math, and why Algebra I is still the gateway to college

🌾 16:38 Rural education in Idaho: brick-and-mortar charters, online schools, and micro-schools in towns of 6,500

🌟 20:56 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org

🔁 23:32 Seven years of succession planning: succession is a verb

📚 32:20 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org

🤲 36:22 Education leaders need to lock arms instead of getting peeled off one by one

📊 40:58 Stop grading charter schools on a curve: the case for measuring against the highest bar

📞 45:23 Aging better starts with putting the phone down and investing in social connection

🎧 49:00 Find more podcasts that matter at www.podcaststhatmatter.org

Links:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-aaron1231
Charter School Growth Fund: chartergrowthfund.org

Connect with Marcia on LinkedIn to follow her work, and visit Charter School Growth Fund to learn more about how CSGF is investing in charter networks across Texas, Arizona, Idaho, and Utah.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

Nothing Goes to Waste Unless You Decide It Does: Cradle to Career Work, Coalition Building, and Spartanburg's Long Game with Keisha Gray

Mike Montoya — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Keisha Gray sits down with Mike Montoya to make the case that cross sector collaboration is not a value statement, it is a muscle communities build out of necessity. And that operational excellence is how missions actually survive.

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya sits down with Keisha Gray, Chief Operations Officer at the Spartanburg Academic Movement. SAM is a cradle to career organization working to create long term opportunity and economic mobility across Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

Keisha argues that Spartanburg is the twelfth fastest growing county in the country for a reason, and it is not the one most economic development stories tell. It is a former mill town that learned to collaborate when the economy collapsed underneath it. That muscle, built under pressure, is what a cradle to career strategy actually runs on.

She and Mike make a parallel case about careers. Keisha has led HR for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, run philanthropy at the Mary Black Foundation, and spent years inside regional newsrooms. She does not believe any of it was off topic. Nothing goes to waste unless you decide it does.

They get into Dr. Jack Shonkoff's new place based research at Harvard and why the environments children grow up in matter as much as the relationships around them. Mike closes with a reminder of his own: relationships are the engine and operational excellence is how you sustain the mission.

Tune in to hear why Keisha keeps a photo of a child she has never met on her office wall.

Chapters:

🎧 00:56 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com

👧 01:26 The photo on Keisha's wall: who this work is really for

🤝 05:48 Why cross sector collaboration is hard

🏭 07:15 Stone soup and a mill town that learned to collaborate

📰 10:14 Growing up in Columbia and getting into HR

🏈 13:40 The Buccaneers, the Mary Black Foundation, and the call home

🧩 18:35 From ten to forty employees

✍️ 28:02 Find support for your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org

🧠 31:04 Dr. Jack Shonkoff: it matters where a child grows up

🤲 35:46 Raj Chetty, Hope VI, and what a neighborhood does to a life

💬 40:36 The spontaneous moments are where real connection happens

🌟 45:53 If you are a leader or changemaker, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org

🕯️ 49:12 Relationships are the engine

🎙️ 49:35 Find more podcasts that matter at www.podcastsmatter.org

Links:

Website: https://learnwithsam.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-gray-8268514

Spartanburg Academic Movement on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spartanburg-academic-movement

If you want to see what cradle to career work actually looks like on the ground, follow Keisha and the Spartanburg Academic Movement.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

Stop Grinding and Start Sustaining: What Education Leaders Actually Need to Last with Vanessa Rodriguez

Mike Montoya — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Vanessa Rodriguez, Executive Vice President of People at the Pahara Institute at Lone Rock, has spent her career building systems that give young people a fair shot, from District 79 in New York City to a national fellowship designed to keep education leaders in the work longer.

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya sits down with Vanessa to talk about what it actually takes to sustain a career in education without burning out. Vanessa grew up in Hartford, Connecticut after her parents moved from Puerto Rico so their kids could have better opportunities. In first grade, her teacher made her stand in the corner and face the wall for answering in Spanish. That experience shaped years of silence before she found her voice and committed her life to expanding opportunity for others.

Vanessa spent seven years leading District 79, the citywide network serving over-age, under-credited students across all five boroughs of New York City. She and her team built referral centers that are still in place today, giving young people and families a way to navigate the system and find a path back to education. From there she moved through roles at Citizens of the World Charter Schools, Newark Public Schools, and NYC Outward Bound Schools before joining Pahara.

Mike and Vanessa dig into how to hire for values and motivation, what happens when values come into tension with the work, and why the next generation of leaders is not buying the grind culture that defined earlier eras of education reform. Vanessa also shares the five priorities her vitality coach gave her: love, movement, sleep, nutrition, and purpose.

Tune in to hear why sustaining in this work requires more than commitment. It requires vitality.

Chapters:

🎙️ 00:27 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com

🇵🇷 01:37 Vanessa Rodriguez: from Puerto Rico to Hartford to a career in education

🏫 06:16 Seven years leading District 79: serving over-age, under-credited students across NYC

🧭 10:43 What classroom teaching taught her about leading systems change

🤝 14:33 Hiring for values and motivation: the two questions Vanessa asks in every interview

🔥 17:13 What happens when your values come into tension with the work

🏔️ 20:04 Pahara Institute at Lone Rock: a fellowship built to sustain education leaders

📚 24:03 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org

📋 29:53 Pahara's application cycle and who should apply

👩‍👦 33:26 Raising a son as a single Latina mom and staying present through basketball
🌟 39:38 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org

🎒 40:36 When your kid asks to leave early: Devin's choice to attend boarding school

🚶‍♀️ 44:34 Walking, water, and winding down: the habits that keep her going

💛 46:17 Love, movement, sleep, nutrition, and purpose: five priorities for vitality

🎧 48:52 Find more podcasts that matter at www.podcaststhatmatter.org

Links:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/vrodriguez7
Pahara Institute: www.pahara.org

Learn more about the Pahara fellowship and connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn to follow her work supporting education leaders across the country.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

We’re Preparing Kids for the Wrong World: Economic Mobility, Coalition Building, and the Long Game in Public Education with Dr. David W. James

Mike Montoya — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Former Akron Public Schools superintendent Dr. David W. James never planned to work in education. He started at NASA, moved into environmental consulting, and ended up leading a school district for 13 years by accident.

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya sits down with David, now executive director of Summit Education Initiative, to talk about what it takes to move the needle on economic mobility when the old factory jobs are gone and nobody can tell you what the new ones require.

David became superintendent after a business manager role put him in charge of rebuilding every school building in the district. What kept him there for 13 years was a model most districts do not attempt. He got the city of Akron to co-own school buildings through an income tax partnership. He brought Ford Next Generation Learning in to build college and career academies starting in kindergarten. He partnered with the LeBron James Family Foundation to open the I PROMISE School. Each of those required years of coalition building with people who did not always agree with each other.

His approach came from consulting, not curriculum. Treat the community like your customer. Listen to the people on the front lines. When the freight trains of problems keep coming, stay calm and do triage.

Now at Summit Education Initiative, David works across 17 public districts, tracking students from kindergarten readiness through post-secondary outcomes. The work is not about graduation rates alone. It is about whether a kid in Summit County can actually build a life.

Listen in for a conversation about why the real constraint on student outcomes is not funding or policy. It is whether the adults around them can build something together and keep showing up.

Chapters:

🎙️ 00:58 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com
🏗️ 04:01 Meet Dr. David W. James: Co-op at NASA, environmental consulting, and a career nobody planned
🤝 08:01 A city partnership, an income tax, and school buildings co-owned with the mayor
🧠 10:41 Your first reaction is usually not the best one: learning to pause before you respond
🧪 13:15 Mercury in the schoolyard and why there is no playbook for everything
📐 15:57 The chamber of commerce could not answer what "prepared" actually means
🏫 17:52 Finding Ford Next Generation Learning and building career academies from kindergarten up
📚 19:26 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org
📊 21:15 Summit Education Initiative: cradle to career data across 17 districts
🏥 31:24 Why kids miss school: rent, food banks, grandparents with diabetes
🌟 40:27 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org
👥 42:01 Developing the next generation of leaders instead of issuing orders
☕ 42:32 Morning coffee, slower pace, and going from 13 medications to one
🎧 51:36 Find more podcasts that matter at www.podcaststhatmatter.org

Links:

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/david-w-james-ed-d-b8997211
Summit Education Initiative: www.seisummit.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/seisummit
Connect with David on LinkedIn or visit seisummit.org to learn more about Summit Education Initiative's cradle to career work across Summit County.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

Schools as Love Letters: Identity, Boldness, and the False Binaries Holding Education Back with Tricia Noyola

Mike Montoya — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Tricia Noyola is a charter school leader, Regional Superintendent at the KIPP Foundation, and former CEO of Rocky Mountain Prep who builds schools as love letters to the communities they serve.

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya sits down with Tricia to talk about bold leadership, identity, and what it really means to build schools that serve their communities.

Tricia traces her path from the Rio Grande Valley to a college experience that exposed the inequity gap she had never fully seen, to becoming a first-time principal of the lowest performing school in her network with no formal training and no intention of ever being a leader. She shares what mentor JoAnn Gama saw in her when she could not see it herself, and how she and her team turned that school into the highest performing elementary in the community.

The conversation sharpens around two ideas Tricia keeps returning to: boldness means asking what if it does work out and acting on that answer, and the idea that 'high expectations and love for kids are opposites' is one of the most damaging false binaries in education today.

Tune in to hear why accountability and care are not a choice, and what happens when leaders stop pretending they are.

Chapters:

00:54 🎙️ Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com

01:09 🌵 Growing up on the Texas-Mexico border where culture was bright and identity was fluid

05:06 🏡 Native Texan roots: life before the border that felt like a border

08:39 🎬 The Selena moment and what border identity actually looks like from the inside

16:05 🎓 Getting to college and seeing the inequity gap for the first time

19:32 📚 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org

19:53 🏫 JoAnn Gama's bet: principal of the lowest performing school in the network

21:30 📉 Year one was a disaster and why that became the most important lesson

29:24 🔥 The boldness principle: what if it does work out?

31:36 🌟 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org

37:29 💌 My school is a love letter to the community

39:02 ⚖️ Accountability is not a dirty word: rejecting the false binary in education

45:07 🎧 Find more podcasts that matter at www.podcaststhatmatter.org

Links:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tricianoyola

KIPP Foundation: www.kipp.org

Connect with Tricia on LinkedIn and follow her work at the KIPP Foundation to see what bold, community-centered leadership looks like in practice.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

Stop Chasing the New: How Consistency Builds Charter Schools That Last with Scott Hindman

Mike Montoya — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Charter school leader Scott Hindman went from minor league baseball to investment banking to building one of New Mexico's most impactful public education networks. The lesson he keeps coming back to: find great people, give them the runway to lead, and play the long game.

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya sits down with Scott, Executive Director of Excellent Schools New Mexico, to talk about a decade of building high-quality charter schools in a state that rarely gets the attention its education work deserves.

Scott traces the arc from Princeton pitcher to JPMorgan analyst to nonprofit founder and explains why the skills translate more than people think. Ten years in, he reflects on board leadership, long-term funding relationships, and why consistency and follow-through will outperform innovation almost every time.

They also get into why adult leadership is the real constraint on school quality, what the New Mexico funding landscape makes possible that other states cannot, and what it looks like when funders and operators stay aligned over the long term.

Tune in to hear why the most radical thing a leader can do in education right now might be to stop chasing the new and just do the work.

Chapters:

00:52 🎙️ Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com

01:06 ⚾ Meet Scott Hindman: Princeton pitcher, JPMorgan analyst, education builder

02:55 🏙️ Growing up in Chicago and what good schools made possible

04:51 🎓 Drafted by the Reds, Princeton, and the lessons baseball taught him

15:02 💼 From JPMorgan to First Solar to education: why the skills translate

20:47 📚 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org

25:07 🤝 The board that has stayed for ten years and why that matters

26:24 📈 A decade of growth: 14,000 seats and 96% of kids learning faster

31:39 💰 Oil, gas, and the funding landscape that makes New Mexico unique

38:41 🌟 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org

39:54 🧭 Consistency over innovation: the leadership habit that actually works

46:19 🙏 Gratitude, long game thinking, and closing reflections

48:37 🎧 Find more podcasts that matter at www.podcaststhatmatter.org

Links:
Website: www.excellentschoolsnm.org

Personal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scotthindman
Company LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/excellentschoolsnm
Explore Excellent Schools New Mexico's work and connect with Scott on LinkedIn to follow a decade of impact in public education.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

What Curiosity Teaches Us About Leading Schools — with Joanna Belcher

Mike Montoya — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

From teaching fourth grade in Compton to founding a KIPP elementary school in Newark, Joanna Belcher has spent her career building schools and supporting leaders who believe every student deserves opportunity.

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya sits down with Joanna Belcher, Regional Superintendent at the KIPP Foundation, to discuss the leadership lessons she has learned along the way. Joanna reflects on the moments that shaped her approach to leadership, including the power of seeing excellence firsthand and why curiosity remains one of the most important habits for leaders.

They also explore what it takes to build strong teams, support school leaders across a national network, and stay focused on what matters most for students.

Listen in for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, curiosity, and the work of building schools that help students thrive.

Chapter:

00:56 🎙️ Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out www.podcastsmatter.com

01:35 🏫 Joanna’s Role at KIPP and Leading Across 28 Regions

06:09 🌱 Growing Up in Pennsylvania and Finding Teach For America

10:54 🚀 The Moment Joanna Saw What Excellence Looks Like

19:38 📚 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org

21:02 🤝 Curiosity, Mentorship, and Building Strong Teams

25:48 🧠 Why Curiosity Matters for Leaders

26:50 ⚡ What COVID Taught Joanna About Leadership

31:53 🎯 Helping School Leaders Focus on What Matters Most

38:08 ⚖️ When a Health Crisis Changed Joanna’s Perspective

42:50 🌍 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org

45:17 🔭 What’s Ahead for KIPP

48:43 🎧 Find More Podcasts That Matter at www.podcastsmatter.com

Links:
Website: www.kipp.org

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joannabelcher
KIPP Foundation LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/kipp-foundation

If you’d like to learn more about Joanna Belcher’s work or follow the broader work happening across KIPP schools, connect with her on LinkedIn or explore the KIPP website through the links above.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

Finding Opportunity Through Relationships: From Immigrant Roots to Talent Leadership with Ron Rapatalo

Mike Montoya — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

What happens when the path your family imagined for you isn’t the one you’re meant to follow?

From being the son of Filipino immigrants in Brooklyn to a leader shaping talent and social impact across education, Ron Rapatalo shares a powerful story about resilience, purpose, and the relationships that shape our lives.

Growing up in Brooklyn and Queens, Ron experienced both the challenges and ingenuity of a tight-knit immigrant family, navigating early loss, academic expectations, and the search for meaningful work after the death of his father at age 10. His journey eventually led him from neuroscience and finance to more than twenty years in K-12 education, executive coaching, and social impact hiring, where he discovered that his true “genius zone” lies in cultivating authentic relationships and helping others find fulfilling career paths.

In this conversation, Ron reflects on career pivots, flexible work, mentorship, and the importance of strong human connections. He shares why your network can become your safety net, why kindness and generosity are leadership traits, and how exposing young people to diverse career possibilities can transform opportunity.

Tune in to hear Ron’s story and insights on leadership, equity, and how investing in people and relationships can shape both individual lives and entire communities.

Chapter:

🎧 01:04 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out www.podcastsmatter.com

🏙️ 02:56 Growing Up in Brooklyn and Queens in a Filipino Immigrant Family
📚 12:47 From the Pre-Med Track to Teach For America

🌟 17:17 If You Are a Leader or Changemaker, Check Out www.geniusdiscovery.org

🎯 19:36 Discovering the Art of Hiring and Spotting Talent

💼 25:27 When Your Career Finally Aligns with Purpose

🏡 26:33 Remote Work and Life Fit

💪 30:05 Why Movement Matters for Thinking and Leadership?

✍️ 31:57 Find Support for Your Impact-Driven Book at www.booksthatmatter.org

🌍 33:59 Immigration, Opportunity, and What We Leave Behind

🤝 45:13 “Your Network Can Become Your Safety Net”

🎙️ 50:33 Find More Podcasts That Matter at www.podcastsmatter.com

Links:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rapatalo

Connect with Ron Rapatalo on LinkedIn to follow his work in talent, coaching, and leadership across education and social impact.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

From Helicopters to Schools: Leadership Lessons from James Willcox

Mike Montoya — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

From Army Blackhawk pilot to transformative education leader, James Willcox shares how a life grounded in service and family shaped his path to reshaping K-12 education nationwide.

From marrying his college best friend at 22, raising 3 daughters while serving in the military, and pursuing graduate studies at Stanford, James’ story is a masterclass in balancing personal milestones with professional ambition. He reflects on his early fascination with aviation, strategic decisions at West Point to achieve his dream, and how these formative experiences laid the foundation for disciplined, purpose-driven leadership.

James takes us through his tenure at Aspire Public Schools, where he helped grow the organization statewide, building collaborative partnerships and operational infrastructure to ensure excellence for high-poverty students. Today, as co-CEO of Greenhouse E3, he leads a national nonprofit developing aspiring, new, and veteran charter school CEOs, addressing a critical leadership gap in the sector and supporting over 160 leaders serving nearly 200,000 students. He shares insights on scaling organizations, cultivating diverse leadership pipelines, and why proactive investment in superintendent and CEO development is crucial for lasting educational impact.

Throughout the conversation, James emphasizes patience, vision, and sustained effort, comparing meaningful systemic change in education to building a cathedral, where his decades of work are powered by dedication and human energy. He challenges leaders, funders, and educators to prioritize long-term impact, equip emerging leaders, and create environments where both students and school leaders can thrive.

Tune in to hear a story of relentless commitment, strategic leadership, and the power of investing in people to transform education for generations to come.

Chapter:

🎙️ 00:55 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.com

🌵 01:25 Life in South Texas: Family, Service, and Personal Grounding

🚁 05:03 From West Point to the Cockpit: Becoming a Military Aviator

🎓 09:17 Stanford, Education, and Building Aspire Public Schools

📚 19:21 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org

🏫 24:02 Why Greenhouse E3 Exists: Solving the First-Time Charter CEO Gap

💡 30:27 Leadership Transitions: Why the Demand Is Real

🌎 32:01 Small Market, Big Leverage: Making CEO Support Accessible

📈 37:35 Greenhouse 3.0: Supporting CEOs Beyond Year Two

🚀 41:02 Beyond One: Scaling Campuses Without Breaking Leaders

🧩 43:57 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org

⛈️ 46:33 Hurricanes, Cathedrals & Closing Reflections: Prepare Early, Play the Long Game

🎧 54:48 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcastsmatter.org

Links:
Website: www.greenhouse3.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/james-r-willcox
Check out Greenhouse E3’s website and connect on LinkedIn to explore leadership development programs and insights for aspiring and veteran charter school CEOs.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

From Immigrant Roots to Leading a Charter Network Through Complexity with Shara Hegde

Mike Montoya — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

From Boston to East San Jose, Shara Hegde shares her journey from Ivy League graduate to CEO of Alpha Public Schools and what it takes to lead charter schools through political and organizational complexity. Raised between the United States and India, Shara reflects on how her immigrant family background shaped her commitment to education equity and first-generation college access.

After pivoting from plans for law school to Teach For America, Shara discovered her calling in the classroom. A fellowship with Building Excellent Schools led her to found Cornerstone Academy, which later became part of Alpha Public Schools. In this episode, she walks through the realities of building a high-performing charter network, including a 3–2 charter renewal vote and the growing political tensions surrounding school choice in California.

Shara discusses school board politics, AB 1505, and the importance of pairing strong academic outcomes with strategic advocacy. She explains how Alpha Public Schools supports East San Jose families beyond academics through community partnerships, parent leadership, and long-term college and career pathways.

The conversation also explores leadership growth. Shara reflects on learning from failure, balancing operational focus with long-term vision, and navigating leadership as a woman of color while raising a family. Her insights offer practical perspective for education leaders, charter school operators, and anyone working at the intersection of policy, equity, and student success.

This episode provides an honest look at charter school leadership in California and the responsibility of staying student-centered while navigating change.

Chapters:

00:50 🎙️ Check Out Podcasts That Matter at https://podcastsmatter.com

01:04 🌆 San Jose’s Energy and the Challenges Facing East San Jose Families

02:48 📖 From Boston and India to a Career in Education

07:34 🏫 Teach For America to Charter Founder: The Fellowship Journey

12:54 🌐 Building Alpha’s K–12 Network and the Charter Renewal Vote

21:45 📚 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at https://booksthatmatter.org

22:19 🗳️ School Board Politics and What It Means for Students

23:48 💪 Parent Advocacy and Building Regional Leadership

27:11 ⚖️ AB 1505 and the Realities of Charter Implementation

29:31 🌸 Leading as a Woman of Color While Balancing Leadership and Family

34:08 🌟 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out https://geniusdiscovery.org

37:36 📈 CEO Habits, Failure, and Lessons from Leadership

43:21 🎧 Find More Podcasts That Matter at https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Links:

Website: alphapublicschools.org

Check out Shara Hegde’s work at Alpha Public Schools, follow her leadership in the charter education space, and explore her strategies for empowering students, families, and communities.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

Breaking the Mobility Trap: Aligning Partners Around Cradle-to-Career Outcomes – with Bill Crim

Mike Montoya — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

What if the promise that each generation will do better than the last is slipping away?

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya talks with Bill Crim, CEO of United Way of Salt Lake and Utah’s Promise, about economic mobility and what it really takes to align communities around cradle to career outcomes.

Bill shares how cross sector collaboration, policy advocacy, and collective impact partnerships can strengthen education outcomes and rebuild opportunity for kids and families. Instead of launching new programs, this work focuses on aligning existing resources and building shared accountability across schools, nonprofits, businesses, and government.

They explore Utah’s 100% Initiative, the role of backbone leadership in sustaining change, and why lasting progress depends on listening to families and working together over the long term.

Bill also reflects on his own path from engineering student to nonprofit leader and why he still believes communities can create a more just and opportunity filled future.
If you are an education leader, nonprofit executive, policy advocate, or someone who cares about the future of economic mobility in America, this episode offers both realism and hope.

Chapter:

00:48 🎙️ Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

01:00 🙋‍♂️ Meet Bill Crim: United Way of Salt Lake & Utah’s Promise

03:39 📉 The Core Problem: Poverty, Stalled Mobility, and the ‘Promise’ to Families

07:37 🔄 Cross-Sector Alignment: How Collective Impact Works

17:41 🌟 Bill’s Origin Story: From Engineering to Policy Advocacy to United Way Leadership

24:42 📚 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org

26:25 👉 Why Policy Advocacy Matters for Community Change

28:15 📈 United Way Today: Trust, 211, and Backbone Infrastructure

32:10 🎯 Cradle-to-Career Goals and the 100% Initiative

41:37 🧠 Building Backbone Leadership, Resilience, and Retention

46:02 🚀 If You Are a Leader or Changemaker Looking for Support, Check Out geniusdiscovery.org

48:47 ⚖️ Reflections on Justice, Hope, and Closing Takeaways

54:37 🎧 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links:
Learn about Utah's Promise at https://utahspromise.org

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/bill-crim-aab1119

Connect with Bill: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-way-of-salt-lake/posts/?feedView=all

Connect with Bill Crim on LinkedIn and explore the work of United Way of Salt Lake to see how community partnerships, shared accountability, and cradle-to-career alignment are helping rebuild opportunity for kids and families.

Learn more about cradle to career initiatives at https://www.strivetogether.org

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

From Lifelong Immigrant to Education CEO: Leading With Compassion for Multilingual Learners – with Dr. Daniel Velasco

Mike Montoya — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

From lifelong immigrant to education equity leader, Daniel Velasco shares how identity, resilience, and compassion shaped his journey to becoming President and CEO of Ensemble Learning and a national voice for multilingual learners.

Born in Lima, Peru and raised across Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru before settling in the United States, Daniel learned early how to adapt in order to belong. As a child, he unconsciously mirrored accents and behaviors to fit into each new environment, a survival skill that later informed his understanding of identity, privilege, and belonging. His education spanned elite international schools, under-resourced public schools, and eventually institutions like Harvard and Johns Hopkins, each revealing how opportunity is unevenly distributed. These experiences shaped both his worldview and his commitment to educational equity.

Daniel’s path was anything but linear. He navigated family financial collapse during the dot-com bust while attending Harvard, took on full-time work throughout his graduate studies, and delayed personal milestones to help rebuild his family’s stability. Along the way, he taught through Teach for America, studied international development, and immersed himself in education policy and change management. He describes this “scenic route” as difficult but formative, revealing how social capital and institutional credibility influence whose voices are heard.

Now leading Ensemble Learning, Daniel supports schools across the country in serving multilingual and dually identified learners through data, professional development, and coaching. He is working to address teacher attrition by partnering with the National Center for Teacher Residencies to build bilingual pathways into the profession. At the heart of his work is a belief that many educators leave not from lack of care, but from lack of preparation to serve the students in front of them.

Throughout the conversation, Daniel reflects on compassionate leadership, the energy cost of trying to fix everything for everyone, and the importance of building organizational cultures rooted in trust and humanity. He reminds listeners that leadership is not about perfection, but about being a decent human at the right time and creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and capable. Tune in to hear how Daniel’s story reframes what it means to lead with purpose, resilience, and heart.

Chapters:

00:44 🌍 Meet Daniel Velasco and His Journey from Peru to the United States

00:31 🎙️ Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

02:03 🎓 Growing Up and Navigating School Across Countries

09:43 📚 Higher Education Choices and Career Pathways

21:32 🏫 Leading Ensemble Learning and Expanding Its Impact

25:43 💼 Navigating the Realities of Nonprofit Leadership

26:47 ✍️ Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org

27:37 🚀 The Unexpected Path to Becoming CEO

33:48 🧠 Rebuilding Confidence and Redefining Leadership

41:02 🤝 Compassionate Leadership and Building Strong Teams

44:00 🌟 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org

47:03 💬 Final Reflections on Leadership and Purpose

53:34 🎧 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcastsmatter.org

Links

Website: https://ensemblelearning.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ensemblelearning/posts/?feedView=all
Connect with Dr. Daniel: http://linkedin.com/in/drdanielvelasco
Connect with Dr. Daniel Velasco on LinkedIn and explore Ensemble Learning’s work to see how compassionate leadership and multilingual learner advocacy are transforming schools across the country.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.

Mergers Aren’t Failures: Protecting Impact Through Trust and Strategy – with Jessica Sutter

Mike Montoya — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

From Bronx roots to shaping the future of public education: Jessica Sutter shares how a life grounded in service, trust, and intellectual rigor led her from the classroom to national education policy and consulting. Jessica is an education leader and consultant based in Washington, D.C., whose career spans teaching, charter school leadership, policy, and research.

Raised in a large Catholic family in the Bronx, Jessica grew up in a household that prized education and community, values that continue to guide her work today. Though no longer religious, she carries forward a Jesuit-inspired commitment to social justice and leaving institutions better than she found them. That throughline has shaped her decades-long dedication to students, families, and mission-driven organizations.

Jessica traces her journey from teaching in Chicago to training educators in Los Angeles, before becoming a founding teacher at KIPP LA Prep in the early days of the charter school movement. Those formative classroom years, including launching a middle school that eventually grew into a full district, grounded her leadership in the lived realities of students and families. Her curiosity about systems-level change later pulled her into education policy, beginning in Washington, D.C. during the Obama era, where an Education Pioneers fellowship and doctoral training deepened her impact.

Today, Jessica brings together lived experience, qualitative research expertise, and hard-earned perspective as an independent consultant. She shares why trust, self-discipline, and intellectual honesty are non-negotiable in consulting, and why leaders must sometimes say no, or refer work elsewhere, to protect long-term credibility. She also reframes mergers and consolidations in education not as failures, but as mission-preserving strategies in a shifting philanthropic and funding landscape.

At its heart, this conversation is about leadership with humanity - balancing ambition with vulnerability, innovation with stewardship, and meaningful work with a life well lived. Tune in for a thoughtful, deeply grounded discussion that will resonate with educators, nonprofit leaders, and anyone navigating change with purpose.

Chapters

00:31 👋 Meet Jessica Sutter Building Trust in Education

00:59 🎧 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

01:14 👩‍🎓 Jessica’s Early Life and Education

12:30 📚 Career Journey From Teaching to Policy Work

24:19 🌟 If You Are a Leader or Changemaker Looking for Support, Check Out geniusdiscovery.org

25:47 🤝 The Role of Relationships in Consulting

27:29 🧭 Balancing Self Discipline and Curiosity

28:53 🔍 Why Trust and Expertise Matter in Consulting

32:40 💡 Navigating Financial Pressure and Building Trust

36:42 🔗 Mergers, Acquisitions, and Organizational Sustainability

39:38 📝 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org

53:04 ✨ Reflections on a Life Well Lived

57:17 🎙️ Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links

Website: https://www.edproconsultingllc.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/edpro-consulting/?viewAsMember=true
Connect with Jessica: www.linkedin.com/in/jessicasutter
Connect with Jessica Sutter through her website and social channels, follow her work in education advocacy and consulting, and explore her insights on strategic partnerships and leadership to stay inspired and informed.

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

The Shiny New Penny Problem: Data-Driven Courage for Lasting School Change – with Kelli Marshall

Mike Montoya — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

From sixth-grade math teacher to superintendent to leadership coach — Kelli Marshall shares how data-driven courage, deep relationships, and a clear “why” can transform schools and the people who lead them.

Kelli Marshall, a proud Indianapolis native and IU Bloomington graduate, has spent her career shaping education across Indiana. Growing up near Butler University and attending Indianapolis Public Schools, her early experiences sparked a commitment to improving outcomes for students regardless of circumstance. She is known for her work as a former superintendent and now as the founder of Vine Elements LLC, where she coaches and consults with school and education nonprofit leaders navigating growth and change.

Kelli reflects on her early teaching years, including the challenges of finding the right role and ultimately thriving as a sixth-grade math teacher in an innovative, open-concept environment. She gained recognition for rigorous instruction and strong classroom management, crediting her success to data-informed decision-making rather than chasing educational trends. Throughout her leadership journey, she witnessed cycles of reform come and go, reinforcing her belief that effective change must be grounded in what works for specific students and communities.

As a superintendent, Kelli led large-scale curriculum and system changes, emphasizing the importance of trust, clarity, and pacing. She shares practical insights on frontloading preparation, using consistent data meetings, and implementing change in manageable doses. Central to her philosophy is building strong relationships with educators before introducing new initiatives, especially in systems fatigued by failed reforms.

Beyond strategy, the conversation explores responsibility, purpose, and the human side of leadership. Kelli discusses how clarifying one’s role, cultivating a trusted inner circle, and staying true to core convictions sustain leaders through the loneliness of the work. Listeners will leave inspired to lead with intention, courage, and compassion — and to remember just how powerful educators can be in shaping lives. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded conversation on leadership that truly lasts.

Chapters

00:31 🎙️ Meet Kelli Marshall and Her Journey in Education

00:54 🎧 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

01:27 🍎 Early career experiences in the classroom

04:05 🔄 Navigating challenges and change in education

20:27 🏫 How Indianapolis education has evolved over time

22:14 📘 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org

24:14 🧠 Reflecting on lessons from past experiences

24:47 🚀 New ventures and future goals ahead

26:54 ❤️ Family perspective and personal impact

30:34 🧭 Leadership insights and practical advice

34:10 🌱 If You Are a Leader or Changemaker Looking for Support, Check Out geniusdiscovery.org

37:28 🙏 Final reflections and gratitude

45:59 🎶 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links

Website: https://www.vineelementsllc.com

Connect with Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-marshall-70216417a/

Connect with Kelli Marshall to learn more about her work through Vine Elements LLC and explore how intentional, data-driven leadership can create lasting impact in schools and education organizations.

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

Leveraging Life Experiences: Behind a Career in Youth Opportunity and Equity

Mike Montoya — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

From a childhood shaped by instability to a career dedicated to building pathways of opportunity, The Stronger Podcast host, Mike Montoya, shares how resilience, education, and supportive adults can change the trajectory of a life and an entire generation.

Mike, a consultant with Stronger Consulting, reflects on growing up in 1970s Colorado Springs as the son of a barber and a homemaker, rooted in agricultural communities and first-generation aspirations. Though his parents never attended college, they made deliberate sacrifices to create better educational opportunities for their children. That commitment to upward mobility and purpose now anchors Mike’s professional mission, shaping how he helps organizations stay grounded in why their work matters. His story underscores how values formed early in life often become the foundation for meaningful leadership later on.

He opens up about childhood adversity marked by unresolved trauma, emotional conflict, and unpredictability at home. Stability came through structured environments like Boy Scouts, swimming, church, and school programs, where trusted adults offered safety and consistency. As a teenager and later as a college student, Mike intentionally sought distance and growth, eventually attending Boston College before transferring to Colorado College, where he found confidence, belonging, and direction. These experiences ignited his passion for youth development and resilience research.

Mike shares how global travel with Up With People and later work at UC San Diego deepened his commitment to expanding access to education for underserved students. He explains why college remains a powerful lever for first-generation families, despite rising costs and systemic challenges. Drawing on his experience, he advocates for cradle-to-career pathways, community partnerships, and accountability beyond high school graduation alone.

Mike’s story is a compelling reminder that investing in young people is both a moral and societal imperative. Tune in to hear why Mike believes we can’t afford to give up on education, and what it will take to ensure opportunity is truly within reach for every child.

Chapters
🎙️ 00:31 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

🌄 00:47 Growing Up in Colorado Springs

🏠 05:03 Family Dynamics and Childhood Challenges

🎓 06:54 High School and College Journey

🌱 10:44 Discovering Youth Development and Early Career

🌍 12:52 Up With People and a Global Perspective

🏫 15:10 Building a Career in Youth Development and Education

🔮 25:18 Reflections on Purpose and Future Aspirations

🔗 27:15 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

The Power of Stability: Why Retaining School Leaders Will Shape the Future of Education

Mike Montoya — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

The Stronger Podcast host, Mike Montoya, looks ahead to the future of school leadership, unpacking why the next hiring cycles will define whether schools stabilize or continue to struggle with turnover and burnout.

In this episode, Mike reflects on what’s coming in 2026 and beyond for K–12 education, with a sharp focus on hiring season and leadership trends. Drawing on years of experience placing more than 90 school leaders and interviewing tens of thousands of candidates, he speaks candidly about the growing strain on principals and district systems alike. He names a clear inflection point in education, where teacher shortages, principal turnover, and fragmented talent pipelines are colliding.

Mike explores why strong school leadership almost always begins with excellent teaching experiences paired with early-career mentorship and development. While there’s no national consensus on how to grow great leaders, research from organizations like the Wallace Foundation reinforces what Mike has seen firsthand: principals have a powerful, positive impact on school outcomes when they are supported and allowed to stay. Frequent leadership transitions, he explains, create organizational chaos that disrupts culture, instruction, and student success.

It is unrealistic to expect one leader to manage instruction, operations, and community engagement alone. Mike shares examples of long-tenured principals who, with the right systems and support, built thriving school communities where both students and adults flourished. These environments serve learners across the spectrum through intentional resource allocation, data-informed decisions, and a deep commitment to belonging.

Looking ahead, Mike predicts moderate turnover in the near term, with increased movement expected around 2027. Rather than competing in a tight market, he urges systems to double down on developing their own people. He offers a grounded, hopeful vision for how schools can invest in leaders who love the work and stay long enough to make a lasting difference. Tune in for a thoughtful look at what it will take to build stable, thriving schools in the years ahead.

Chapters
🎧 00:31 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

🏫 00:45 The Current State of School Leadership

🧭 01:57 Challenges and Pathways in School Leadership

🌱 08:11 Success Stories and Leadership Reflections

🔮 12:15 Predictions and Opportunities Ahead

🔗 15:33 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

Unlocking Parent Power: How Families Can Democratize Educational Equity – with Michelle Vilchez

Mike Montoya — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

From community organizer to education equity leader, Michelle Vilchez shares her journey of empowering parents and transforming schools, helping families of color advocate for meaningful educational change while addressing systemic disparities across California.

Michelle Vilchez, CEO of Innovate Public Schools, has spent decades amplifying family voices to ensure Black and Brown students access high-quality education. Known for her leadership in community engagement and conflict resolution, she brings a unique perspective on how parental advocacy and systemic reform intersect. Drawing on her experience raising four children in diverse, historically redlined communities, Michelle emphasizes the power of families to influence educational policy when equipped with data, tools, and organizing frameworks.

Her journey was shaped by early challenges navigating inequitable schools and witnessing her mother’s activism in education. These experiences, combined with her professional work at the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, informed her approach to empowering parents as leaders. She highlights how cultural beliefs and systemic barriers often prevent families from realizing their influence, while affluent communities more easily navigate school systems. Michelle’s work centers on democratizing access to educational data, fostering collective parent action, and addressing persistent achievement gaps that have remained since the 1980s.

In the conversation, Michelle shares practical strategies for parent engagement, including leadership institutes, fellowships, and collaborative policy toolkits. She emphasizes the importance of co-creating solutions with families, tackling complex challenges like mental health support, special education access, and tutoring quality standards. By activating individual parents who can reach tens of others, she demonstrates how grassroots efforts scale to drive systemic impact across districts like LAUSD and beyond.

Listeners will gain insight into the transformative power of parent leadership, the structural inequities shaping educational outcomes, and the critical role of community partnerships in driving lasting change. Michelle’s story underscores that meaningful progress requires trusting families, investing in leadership development, and building collaborative networks that put children’s needs first. Tune in to hear how one leader is reshaping the future of education by elevating those most affected by its policies.

Chapters

👩‍💼 00:31 Meet Michelle Vilchez: CEO of Innovate Public Schools

🎧 00:55 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

🏫 02:45 Early Career and Community Schools Work

📚 04:24 Innovate Public Schools Mission and Impact

⚖️ 07:40 Challenges and Solutions in Education

✍️ 21:09 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org

🧠 32:10 Navigating Parental Engagement and Mental Health

🌎 34:45 National Efforts and Capacity Building

💡 36:25 Impact of Parent Leadership and Policy Reform

🖥️ 40:57 Innovative Solutions and Technology in Education

🚀 47:04 If You Are a Leader or Changemaker Looking for Support, Check Out geniusdiscovery.org

🌟 51:18 Leadership Reflections and Mentorship

🎙️ 01:01:46 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links

Website: https://innovateschools.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovate-public-schools/
Connect with Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-vilchez-152684b/
Connect with Michelle Vilchez and explore her work empowering families, advancing educational equity, and building leadership capacity nationwide.

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

Schools Weren’t Built for Us: Reimagining Education From the Community Up – with Malka Borrego

Mike Montoya — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

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

Links
Website: 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.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

Test Scores Aren’t the Whole Story: Rethinking Accountability and Impact – with Cathy Jones

Mike Montoya — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

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

Links
Website: UP Partnership
LinkedIn: 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.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

Purpose Shouldn’t Mean Poverty: Rethinking Service, Wealth, and Leadership – with Sharhonda Bossier

Mike Montoya — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

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.org

Links
Website: 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.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

The Kindergarten Lie: How We Miss Kids Long Before High School – with Clarisse Mendoza Davis

Mike Montoya — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

From first-grade helper to transformative education leader, Clarisse Mendoza Davis shares her journey of serving underserved youth and reshaping early childhood and alternative education with compassion, vision, and equity at the core.

Clarisse currently leads the See Forever Foundation and Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools as CEO, overseeing programs that serve over 1,000 justice-involved and opportunity-deprived youth across Washington, D.C. Known for her holistic, equity-focused approach, she has spent 21 years shaping educational systems, from teaching high school English at Cardozo Senior High School to leading early intervention programs and alternative schools that emphasize student agency and support. Her work bridges policy, leadership, and hands-on student engagement, demonstrating how intentional leadership can transform lives.

Growing up as a child of immigrants in Chicago, Clarisse witnessed firsthand her parents’ dedication to education, which inspired her lifelong commitment to learning and equity. Her early teaching career coincided with major reforms in D.C. public schools, where she navigated high-pressure accountability systems while mentoring colleagues and supporting students in under-resourced schools. A pivotal moment came when she realized ninth-grade reading deficits required earlier intervention, leading her to design and implement early childhood diagnostic centers that now serve thousands of families, proving the profound impact of timely support.

Clarisse emphasizes the power of community engagement, trust-building, and proximity to stakeholders. She shares practical strategies for leading schools and organizations with authenticity, including maintaining regular connection with families, staff, and donors, and using data alongside empathy to inform decision-making. Her leadership philosophy prioritizes listening, co-reflection, and ensuring students remain in the driver’s seat of their educational journeys, which has contributed to record-breaking graduation rates at Maya Angelou Academy and life-changing outcomes for students in detention centers.

This conversation highlights broader lessons in leadership, equity, and resilience. Listeners will gain insight into how intentional, community-centered approaches can transform educational outcomes, create opportunities for marginalized youth, and sustain passionate, effective leadership. Tune in to hear Clarisse Mendoza Davis share her inspiring story and actionable insights for anyone committed to making meaningful change in education and beyond.

Chapters

👩🏽‍🏫 00:31 Meet Clarisse Mendoza Davis

🎙️ 00:55 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

📚 01:15 Clarisse's Early Life and Education

🏫 08:31 Teaching Experiences in Washington DC

✍️ 13:58 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org

🌱 15:36 Early Learning Intervention Initiatives

🤝 24:53 Building Community Trust

💡 26:11 Leadership Values and Challenges

👥 29:18 Proximity and Engaging Stakeholders

🎯 32:38 Mission and Impact of Maya Angelou Schools

🌐 35:12 If You Are a Leader or Changemaker Looking for Support, Check Out geniusdiscovery.org

💭 36:48 Success Stories and Personal Reflections

🎧 44:52 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links

Website: See Forever Foundation
Instagram: @mayaschools
Connect with Clarisse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarisse-mendoza-davis-2178aa12

Check out Clarisse Mendoza Davis’s work with Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools and the See Forever Foundation, connect with her on LinkedIn, and explore her transformative educational initiatives shaping opportunity and equity for youth today.

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

Equity Isn’t Optional: Calling Out Broken Systems – with Jessica de Barros

Mike Montoya — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

From Seattle classrooms to federal policy halls, Jessica de Barros shares her journey of championing equity in education, showing how a lifelong commitment to access and opportunity can reshape communities and systems.

Jessica, a Seattle native and seasoned educational leader, has devoted her career to dismantling barriers to student success. From her early days working for U.S. Senator Patty Murray on education and social policy in Washington, D.C., to leading initiatives with Seattle Public Schools and the Washington State Charter School Commission, she has consistently focused on equity and systemic improvement. Her experience spans multiple sectors, blending public education, policy implementation, and nonprofit partnership to create meaningful, sustainable impact.

Her path was shaped early on by her own childhood experiences with school busing in Seattle, where exposure to diverse communities highlighted stark educational inequities. Jessica recalls formative moments in high school and college that revealed the gaps created by tracking and inconsistent curricula, fueling her drive to ensure that every student has access to high-quality learning opportunities. Challenges along the way, from navigating bureaucratic systems to balancing stakeholder expectations, taught her the importance of adaptability and thoughtful leadership.

Throughout the conversation, Jessica shares practical strategies for fostering collaboration between schools and community organizations, emphasizing that education happens beyond the classroom. She reflects on successful initiatives such as girls in STEM programs for Somali youth, illustrating how inclusive partnerships expand opportunities for marginalized students. Jessica also stresses the value of listening, remaining open-minded, and thoughtfully navigating complex policy environments to drive meaningful change.

Listeners will gain insights not only into education policy and leadership but also into the broader themes of equity, civic responsibility, and strategic problem-solving. Her reflections on balancing advocacy, collaboration, and systemic reform offer guidance for anyone seeking to create impact in education or social policy. Tune in to hear Jessica’s stories, lessons, and inspiring vision for a more equitable educational landscape.

Chapters

👋 00:31 Meet Jessica de Barros, Education Leader

🎧 00:52 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.com

🏫 02:39 Jessica’s Early Education and School Integration Experience

🎓 06:59 High School Memories and College Transition

💼 17:41 Early Career in Politics and Policy

📚 19:54 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org

⚖️ 24:38 Accountability and Equity in Education

📏 28:37 Challenges in Measuring Teacher Effectiveness

🤝 31:58 Partnering with Community-Based Organizations

📝 33:42 Leadership Lessons and Policy Implementation

🌐 41:54 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org

💡 45:35 Personal Reflections and Career Advice

🎙️ 50:12 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links
Connect with Jessica: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-de-barros/
Connect with Jessica de Barros and explore her work leading educational initiatives, fostering equity, and building partnerships that empower students and communities across the country.

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

Transforming Education: Giving Every Student Real Choices and Career Confidence – with Daniel Gray

Mike Montoya — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

From charting pathways for thousands of students to reimagining what true opportunity looks like, Daniel Gray shares a blueprint for reshaping how young people discover their futures with clarity and confidence.

In this episode, Mike is joined by Daniel Gray, Deputy Chief for College, Career, and Military Readiness at Houston Independent School District. Known for his leadership in scaling college advising, work-based learning, and high-impact CTE pathways, Daniel has dedicated his career to expanding what is possible for students across Texas. His journey spans roles at Uplift Education, the University of Houston, and national fellowship programs, all rooted in his belief in the transformative power of higher education.

Daniel reflects on the early experiences that shaped his calling, from growing up in Long Beach and witnessing inequities firsthand to navigating career pivots that did not align with his values. A pivotal realization during a family trip pushed him toward work that honored his commitment to service and community impact. That clarity brought him into higher education and ultimately K–12 systems, where he saw the need to intervene earlier and build comprehensive guidance for students long before they reached college.

Throughout the conversation, Daniel shares frameworks his teams now use across Houston ISD, including structured career exploration from seventh grade onward, scaled internships and apprenticeships, and partnerships with higher education and employers that remove risk for students. He explains why discovering what you do not want to do is just as valuable as finding your passion, and how aligning vision, values, and team culture is essential for systems-level change. His reflections on trust, leadership, and empathy illuminate what it takes to build an ecosystem where every student leaves high school with real choices.

At its core, this episode is about possibility, showing how schools, communities, and leaders can work together so opportunity is not left to chance. Listeners will walk away inspired by Daniel’s clarity of purpose and energized by the tangible, scalable models he is bringing to life. Tune in to hear how he is reshaping post-secondary readiness for an entire region and what it means for the future of education.

Chapters

👋 00:31 Meet Daniel Gray and His Journey in Education

🎙️ 01:04 Want a Podcast Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

🌱 01:46 Early Influences and the Start of His Career

🎓 04:58 Moving Into Higher Education and Career Development

🛠️ 09:51 Creating Opportunities Through a Systematic Approach

📚 18:29 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org

🌍 27:43 Aligning Values to Support Communities and Students

🤝 28:19 Building a Culture of Inclusivity in Schools

🧭 30:34 Developing Clear Pathways for Student Success

🔧 34:22 Navigating Challenges and Innovations in Education

🚀 44:25 Leaders and Changemakers Can Find Support at geniusdiscovery.org

🏛️ 41:09 Exploring Partnerships and Future Opportunities

🔎 51:38 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links
Connect with Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieljgray/
Check out Daniel Gray’s LinkedIn to follow his work and stay connected to the innovative college and career pathways he is building for students across Houston and beyond.

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

How Community Saved Me: Identity, Loss, and Becoming a Leader – with Kat Ling

Mike Montoya — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

From rural classrooms to leading a mission-driven nonprofit, Kat Ling shares her journey of transforming education and leadership, cultivating inclusive communities, and empowering leaders to innovate for youth most on the margins.

Kat Ling is the CEO of Moonshot, where she leads a team of ten staff and an alumni network of over 100 education leaders. Known for her expertise in education, leadership development, and social impact, Kat has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for underrepresented communities. Her work spans from teaching fourth grade in rural Mississippi through Teach For America to redesigning Moonshot’s fellowship model into a virtual platform that supports diverse leaders nationwide.

Her journey has been shaped by both personal loss and profound community influence. Losing her mother to breast cancer at age ten, Kat found strength and guidance in her multigenerational family and local community. These early experiences fueled her lifelong commitment to social justice, equity, and cultivating networks that nurture young leaders. From confronting racial isolation as an Asian American student to navigating leadership roles across Mississippi, Arkansas, and Colorado, Kat has consistently turned challenges into catalysts for growth.

In this conversation, Kat shares practical insights for building sustainable leadership ecosystems. She emphasizes the importance of decisiveness, mentorship, and intentional community building, highlighting how Moonshot provides both a physical and social infrastructure for emerging leaders. Kat also reflects on maintaining personal balance amid high travel and professional demands, demonstrating that self-care, rituals, and selective engagement are essential for thriving as a CEO.

Listeners will gain a masterclass in inclusive leadership, systemic thinking, and how to nurture communities that elevate collective potential. Kat’s story illustrates that leadership is not just about individual achievement, but about creating ecosystems where others can flourish. Tune in to learn how vision, resilience, and deliberate mentorship can transform both organizations and lives.

Chapters

👩‍💼 00:31 Meet Kat Ling, CEO of Moonshot

🎙️ 00:58 Want a Podcast Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

✈️ 01:22 Kat’s Upcoming Travels and Personal Life

🌱 06:02 Kat’s Origin Story and Early Influences

📚 11:40 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org

🤝 14:23 Navigating Identity and Finding Community

🚀 29:05 Expanding the Moonshot Fellowship’s Impact

💬 30:11 The Importance of Community and Connection

🧩 32:23 Leadership Lessons and Identity Insights

🏫 35:29 Innovations and Challenges in Education

🌟 44:14 Reflections on Leadership and Personal Growth

🌐 46:00 Leaders and Changemakers Can Find Support at geniusdiscovery.org

🎧 53:37 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links
Website: Moonshot
Connect with Kat: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-ling-34981620/
Check out Kat Ling’s LinkedIn and explore Moonshot’s fellowship and leadership programs to see how communities of inclusive leaders are creating real impact for youth and education equity.

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

Redefining the Ladder: From Corporate Climb to Classroom Change – with Helen Chan

Mike Montoya — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

From corporate consultant to education changemaker, Helen Chan shares her journey of transforming disillusionment into purpose, using her talent expertise to build joyful, equitable schools where both children and adults can thrive.

Helen Chan’s career began in international education after graduating from Brown University, working with the World Bank’s nonprofit partner World Links to bring technology access to developing countries. What started as a dream to improve global education soon revealed the complexities of impact work—inefficient systems, slow progress, and the disconnect between intention and outcome. Seeking stability and clarity, Helen shifted to HR consulting, yet the work left her unfulfilled, sparking a quarter-life reckoning that ultimately redirected her back to her roots: public education and human development.

At twenty-eight, Helen joined Teach for America, teaching in Los Angeles classrooms where her background as an immigrant from Queens gave her powerful insight into the barriers students face. That firsthand experience reshaped how she viewed systemic inequities, moving her focus from individual achievement to collective transformation. Over fifteen years, she built a career in talent recruitment, first at Teach for America and now as Vice President of Talent and Teacher Recruitment at the KIPP Foundation, where she helps schools hire and retain educators who bring both excellence and empathy to their work.

Throughout the conversation, Helen reflects on lessons learned from burnout, leadership, and the evolution of the education reform movement—from fear-based accountability to cultures grounded in joy, belonging, and sustainability. She shares frameworks for hiring and managing talent through a strengths-based “conductor” approach, emphasizing that thriving schools depend as much on nurturing teachers as they do on serving students.

This episode invites listeners to rethink what lasting impact looks like, balancing data with humanity, and rigor with joy. Tune in to hear Helen Chan’s thoughtful exploration of purpose, resilience, and how education leaders can sustain hope and heart across decades of change.

Chapters
👩‍💼 00:31 Meet Helen Chan: From Immigrant to VP of Talent

🎙️ 01:10 Want a Podcast Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com

💼 01:47 Helen's Early Career and Quarter-Life Crisis

🏫 08:14 Transition to Teach For America

🌐 10:38 Leaders and Changemakers Can Find Support at geniusdiscovery.org

🎉 17:33 Joining KIPP Foundation and Embracing Joy

🌍 30:19 Addressing Diversity in Education

🤝 31:46 Building Effective Teams

📜 34:58 Understanding the Role of Policy in Education

🎨 40:42 Personal Interests and Hobbies

📚 43:55 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org
💭 52:52 Helen's Closing Thoughts

🎧 53:45 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links
Website: KIPP Foundation
Connect with Helen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mschanhelen/
Check out Helen Chan’s work with the KIPP Foundation and connect with her on LinkedIn to learn more about how she’s reimagining education recruitment and building systems where both students and educators can flourish.

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.

From Tokyo Classrooms to Oakland Streets: The Future of School – with Rich Harrison

Mike Montoya — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

From Osaka to Oakland, Rich Harrison’s journey bridges continents and classrooms, revealing how one educator’s global upbringing shaped his vision for more equitable, community-rooted public schools.

Born and raised in Japan to parents who met at UC Berkeley, Rich grew up immersed in Japanese culture before moving to the U.S. as a teenager. His early experiences navigating two languages and education systems profoundly shaped his empathy for English language learners and his lifelong commitment to inclusion. After beginning his teaching career in New York City’s Bronx schools, Rich credits the mentorship and resilience he found there for grounding his philosophy on what great teaching and leadership require: humility, community, and purpose.

Across two decades, Rich’s career has spanned the nation, from principalships in Denver to executive leadership in Dallas, each step refining his approach to student success. Over time, he moved away from the traditional “college for all” mindset toward a holistic model that centers career pathways, social-emotional learning, and sustainable community partnerships. Now as CEO of Lighthouse Community Public Schools in East Oakland, Rich leads a network of schools serving more than 1,600 students, championing proximity, equity, and authentic connection as the true drivers of educational transformation.

In this conversation, Rich reflects on leadership lessons shaped by adversity, from navigating tight budgets and pandemic-era disruption to combating burnout and modeling balance for educators. He offers candid insights on humility in leadership, the dangers of groupthink, and the power of cross-sector collaboration between schools, nonprofits, and public health. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how education can evolve to serve every learner and how leaders can sustain themselves in the process.

Tune in to hear how Rich Harrison continues to redefine what it means to lead with integrity, care, and community at the heart of education.

Chapters
🎧 00:59 Want a Podcast Like This One? Check Out podcastsmatter.com
🌏 01:49 Rich’s Journey from Japan to New York
🏫 04:05 Teaching in the Bronx and Learning from Mentors
🎓 08:35 Educational Philosophy and Career Pathways
🏙️ 14:40 Community Collaboration and Leadership in Oakland
✍️ 20:18 Find Support for Writing Your Book at booksthatmatter.org
🔄 32:00 The Ripple Effect of Staff Turnover
🩺 34:28 Navigating Leadership During the Pandemic
🌿 37:28 Personal and Professional Growth After the Pandemic
🚀 46:12 If You’re a Changemaker Looking for Support, Visit geniusdiscovery.org
⚖️ 46:44 Balancing Leadership and Personal Well-being
💬 57:19 Reflections on Leadership and Community Impact
🔗 57:41 Find More Podcasts That Matter at podcaststhatmatter.org

Links
Website: https://www.lighthousecharter.org
Instagram: @lighthouseschools
Connect with Rich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-harrison-814ab935/
Check out Lighthouse Community Public Schools online, connect with Rich Harrison on LinkedIn, and explore how his team is building pathways that help Oakland’s students thrive in college, career, and life.

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc/

Stronger Consulting: https://strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.com

Go from expert to thought leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

Stay strong.