Bold Women Collective Backstory

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Nyeisha DeWitt, Founder and CEO of Wizearly , for a powerful conversation about resilience, purpose, and transforming the future of education. After leaving high school in the 10th grade, Nyeisha found her way back through education—a journey that led her to earn multiple advanced degrees and to dedicate her life to help...

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Shailee Patel, Director of Special Education Programs and Innovation at Novi Community Schools, for an inspiring conversation about advocacy, leadership, and reimagining what special education can be. Inspired by her cousin with Down syndrome and the challenges her family faced advocating for equal opportunities, Shailee bui...

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory , Darlene Akers sits down with Laura Alvarez, Support Sales Director at KiSP, for a conversation about career pivots, technology, and finding your place in an industry you love. From growing up in Argentina and studying international trade to building a career in software and sales, Laura shares how following her curiosity and passion for people led her...

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Jill Lemond, Vice President of Education at Evolv Technology, for a powerful conversation about education, empathy, resilience, and creating safer school communities. Jill shares her journey from teaching English language learners and leading innovation initiatives in public education to becoming a nationally recognized voic...

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Jennifer Wammack, Director of Outreach and Learning at BIFMA, for a conversation about design, sustainability, mentorship, and the power of staying curious. From her beginnings as a textile designer to her leadership role helping shape industry standards, Jennifer shares a career journey built on creativity, collaboration, a...

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory , Darlene Akers sits down with Lacey Fischer, Vertical Market Activation Manager at Kimball International, to discuss educational spaces, career growth, and creating environments where students can thrive. From starting her career in customer service to becoming a leader in the education market, Lacey shares how relationship-building, curiosity, and a pa...

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Kristen Riggs, CEO of Innovative EdTech Consulting, for a thought-provoking conversation about AI, teacher burnout, and the future of education. With a background in zoology, outdoor education, and curriculum design, Kristen shares her unique path into education leadership and how the pandemic sparked her research into t...

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Jessie Bushman, former Director of SEL at North Fayette Valley School District, for a heartfelt conversation about leading with love and transforming student support through social-emotional learning. What began as a need to address student behavior challenges evolved into a groundbreaking SEL program focused on meeting chil...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Tracy Sabol, Founder and President of Connect the Dots Solutions, for a powerful conversation about courage, innovation, and creating meaningful impact in education. From growing up in Wisconsin with a strong work ethic to building a successful career in insurance, Tracy shares how her non-linear path led her to take...

In this episode of the Bold Women Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Alaina Clark, CEO of Teacher Goals, for a high-energy conversation about building something meaningful, embracing the unexpected, and creating community in education. From a background in chemistry to leading one of the largest online teacher communities, Alaina shares how what started as a simple meme page grew into a global...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Zareen Levien, Education Marketing Manager at Padlet, for an inspiring conversation about curiosity, creativity, and the power of listening in education. From starting her career in tech to discovering her passion in a classroom, Zareen shares how a single volunteer experience changed her path—and ultimately led her i...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Danielle Alcaraz, MBA, Senior Vice President of Sales at Cignition, for an energizing conversation about confidence, growth, and creating real impact in education. From growing up just outside Los Angeles to rising through the ranks in edtech, Danielle shares how curiosity, resilience, and the people who guided her al...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Natalie Mactier, CEO of Vivi, for a powerful conversation about leadership, action, and building meaningful impact in education. From growing up in Melbourne to leading a global edtech company, Natalie shares how a career rooted in problem-solving—and the people who “tapped her on the shoulder”—shaped her journey, and...

In this episode of  Bold Women Collective Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Shawanna James-Coles, Director of Equity & Compliance at Lower Merion School District, for a powerful conversation about mentorship, leadership, and creating spaces where everyone belongs. From growing up in Philadelphia to becoming a district leader, Shawanna shares how the people who “tapped her on the shou...

In this episode of  Bold Women Collective Backstory , Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Jessica Kesler, Director of Professional Learning at TGR Foundation — the education nonprofit founded by Tiger Woods, for a powerful and inspiring conversation about resilience, representation, and creating space in education. From growing up in Philadelphia to earning multiple advanced degrees in science and edu...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Ann Kozma, Education Evangelist at Adobe, for an energizing conversation about edtech, creativity, and empowering every student voice. With over 25 years in education — from first-grade teacher to innovation leader — Ann shares how her journey has been rooted in one mission: helping educators and students step into con...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Kim Collins, Director of Curriculum at IMSE, for an inspiring and deeply important conversation about literacy, education leadership, and the science of reading. Kim shares her journey from classroom teacher to literacy specialist and curriculum leader, explaining how early experiences with struggling readers shaped he...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, Jolene Levin reconnects with Shaream Moneak — leadership developer, gift and style coach, and author of  The Professional M.O.D.E.L.Travel Manual: Style & Success for Women Leaders on the Mov e — for an energizing conversation about confidence, leadership presence, and building a legacy from the inside out. Shaream shares the mindset framewor...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, host Jolene Levin sits down with Janice Wintermyer, Learning Consultant at Canva Education, to explore what it truly means to empower educators and unlock creativity in every student. From a small-town upbringing outside Seattle to more than 15 years in the middle and high school classroom, Janice shares how her experiences as a teacher, instruct...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory , host Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Geri Gillespy, Director and Industry Advisor in Education Transformation at Microsoft Elevate, for a powerful conversation about resilience, leadership, and perspective in education. They trace Dr. Gillespy’s journey from middle school math teacher to tech industry leader, highlighting the mentors, bold decis...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, host Jolene Levin sits down with Erica Ramos, Director of Pupil Services at the Brown Deer School District, for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation about inclusive leadership in education. From growing up in Chicago as the daughter of immigrant parents to becoming a bilingual special education teacher and district leader, Erica shares h...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, host Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Jenny Nash, Head of Education Impact, US, LEGO® Education, for an inspiring conversation about experiential learning, educator confidence, and reimagining what’s possible in classrooms. From growing her own passion for learning to leading national efforts to support educators and students, Dr. Nash shares how...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, host Jolene Levin sits down with Angela Rosheim, Instructional Coach and Learning Designer, for a thoughtful conversation about curiosity, growth, and purpose in education. Angela shares her journey from classroom teacher to instructional coach and how leaning into curiosity has shaped her leadership and learning philosophies. Together, they expl...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, host Dr. Deb Kerr sits down with Jerri Kemble, former superintendent and author, and her daughter Hannah Mick, a nationally recognized school counselor, for a candid conversation about leadership, legacy, and refusing to shrink in spaces where women are often expected to play small. Together they explore how multi-generational courage, mentorship...

In this episode of Bold Women Collective Backstory, host Jolene Levin sits down with Adrienne Webb, Superintendent of Ashwaubenon School District, for a heartfelt conversation about compassionate leadership, well-being, and purpose-driven work in education. Adrienne shares her journey from classroom teacher to superintendent and how prioritizing relationships, empathy, and intentional leadership h...