Latino Leaders

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a marvelous conversation with his featured guest — Georgina Rivera . Georgina is a school principal in West Hartford, Connecticut.  She is a leader in equitable math instruction, teacher leadership, culturally relevant practice, and multilingual learners.  Georgina is a nationally recognized thought leader, author, and keynote speaker in mathematics education and leadersh...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a powerful conversation with his featured guest — Jenny Rodriguez . Jenny is a passionate educational leader who believes that in the right environment, all learners can succeed.  She is a proud Latina born in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents.  Jenny uses authentic leadership and a relationship-centered approach to turn equity into meaningful action and lasting change. 1:...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an outstanding conversation with his featured guest — Mercedes Fonseca . Mercedes is an education leader and advocate for multilingual learners focused on helping schools create coherent, student-centered systems.  Her work is grounded in comunidad, opportunity, and impact.  Mercedes is the director of academics for TNTP in Dallas, Texas, where she works at the intersecti...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an honest and vulnerable conversation with his featured guest — Veronica Ruiz . Veronica is a proud Latina woman born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut.  She is the co-founder and CEO of Visionary Youth CT.  Veronica is also the director of family, school, and community partnerships at Vernon Public Schools in Connecticut. 1:03 - Introduction 2:00 - My Leadership Story...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a passionate conversation with his featured guest — Irella Pérez . Irella is a transformative educational leader whose 35-year career spans from instructional assistant to superintendent.  She is grounded in an unwavering commitment to equity and multilingual excellence.  Irella is a Latina Chinese American immigrant scholar from Nicaragua and an author who brings a power...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an informative conversation with his featured guest — Manuel Zaldivar . Manuel leads with heart, purpose, and a deep commitment to uplifting others around him.  His journey is rooted in hard work, resilience, and a genuine connection to the communities he serves.  Manuel continues to inspire and embody the spirit of Latino leadership through his vision and authenticity. 1...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an engaging conversation with his featured guest — Elise Genao . Elise is a passionate Cuban American educator with a rich background in early childhood education and school leadership.  She journeyed from being a dedicated preschool teacher to an instructional coach, an adjunct professor, and now, a valued member of the National Institute for Early Education Research (NI...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a warmhearted conversation with his featured guest — Amalia Delamora . Amalia is a bilingual educational leader with extensive experience as a teacher, principal, and systems leader.  She is known for driving student achievement, expanding access, and building strong schools.  Amalia is a first-generation college graduate from the Pacific Northwest who is committed to rem...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an inspiring conversation with his featured guest — Judith Ravina . Judith is the director of multilingual programs at the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns in New York.  She is committed to equity and excellence for multilingual learners.  Judith is a proud Latina with roots in Colombia who works to elevate voices and build inclusive opportunities for students and familie...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a kindhearted conversation with his featured guest — Concie Pedroza . Concie is the superintendent for Tukwila School District in Washington and has worked in education for more than 30 years.  She previously served as the associate superintendent for Seattle Public Schools.  Concie has elevated the focus on inclusion and culturally responsive practices through her leader...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an outstanding conversation with his featured guest — Adrian Bustillos . Adrian is a passionate and collaborative educational leader with a proven track record of improving student outcomes.  Currently, he serves as the chief transformation officer at the Aldine Independent School District in Texas, where he is creating new educational options for 58,000 students.  Adrian...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an extraordinary conversation with his featured guest — Daisy Torres-Hill . Daisy serves as the assistant dean and certification officer in the School of Education at Central Connecticut State University.  She most recently served as assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for Hartford Public Schools, where she oversaw PK–12 curriculum, instruction, and assessme...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a heartfelt conversation with his featured guest — Cindy Flores . Cindy is the director of family support centers for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She is passionate about equity and culturally responsive systems for immigrant and newcomer communities.  Cindy is also a featured author in the book Latina Radiance: Love Letters to the Soul . 1:03 -...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an authentic conversation with his featured guest — Reese Morales . Reese is the founder of the national "Why Wednesday" broadcast on LinkedIn.  He was born in Puerto Rico, and his parents moved to Connecticut when he was 15 years old.  Currently, Reese is part of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS)'s elite and prestigious na...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a wonderful conversation with his featured guest — Amy Gonzales . Amy is the program administrator for THRIVE at The University of Texas at Austin.  She has worked in public education for more than 20 years.  Amy is a first-generation college graduate striving to be a role model for little girls that look like her. 1:03 - Introduction 1:54 - My Leadership Story 20:40 - Ra...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a captivating conversation with his featured guest — JoAnn Gama . JoAnn is a charter school founder and education leader who has held nearly every role in a school system, from teacher to superintendent and CEO.  She is the founder of GEMS, where she develops and coaches school leaders nationwide.  JoAnn is also a mother, wife, and daughter who believes leadership is pers...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a courageous conversation with his featured guest — Luis Ávila . Luis is a Mexican immigrant founder who uses entrepreneurship, media, and art to build power.  He is an award-winning journalist and artist who has launched multiple successful projects shaped by their political and cultural moment.  Luis is the president of Iconico, where he works with leaders globally to t...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a moving conversation with his featured guest — Sarah Figueroa-Freeman . Sarah has been working in and around the education field since 1999.  She has held multiple leadership roles within K-16 schools and education-focused non-profit organizations.  Sarah is the daughter of immigrant parents and an accomplished leader with a passion for serving urban communities, ensurin...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a thought-provoking conversation with his featured guest — Lisette Nieves . Lisette is the president of the Fund for the City of New York, advancing innovation across technology, policy, and community impact.  She is a clinical professor at New York University (NYU) who co-founded the Center for Youth and the Future of Work and a groundbreaking doctoral program in Leaders...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an uplifting conversation with his featured guest — Sonia Ruiz . Sonia is a proud Latina leader who has dedicated her life to serving others.  She is an equity-minded leader who believes that representation matters and that all students deserve to be seen, valued, and supported.  Sonia was named the 2025 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year and the 2025 NAESP Nati...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a fascinating conversation with his featured guest — Patricia Hurrieta . Patricia offers a unique "full-circle" perspective as a biliterate public school educator who has served in every capacity from custodian to successful 15-year principal.  She is currently spearheading the implementation of La Raza Report to dismantle the "Brown Ceiling" and ensur...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a passionate conversation with his featured guest — Evelyn Robles-Rivas . Evelyn is a proud first-generation Latina from Puerto Rico, who has lived in Connecticut for 33 years.  She is the director of multilingual learners programs for the New Haven Public Schools in Connecticut.  Evelyn champions educational equity, ensuring that multilingual learners receive high-qualit...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an amazing conversation with his featured guest — Olga Romero . Olga is the executive director of curriculum and instruction for Irving Independent School District in Texas, where she leads districtwide instructional strategy, curriculum design, and teacher support systems.  She is dedicated to transforming learning environments and driving student success at scale.  Olga...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an interesting conversation with his featured guest — Maribel Olivero . Maribel is the president of the Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (CALAS) and the director of equity and languages at the Connecticut Department of Education.  She was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in Hartford, Connecticut.  Maribel has been an educator for more th...

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an enriching conversation with his featured guest — Hector Chaira . Hector is a native of the Boyle Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.  He is the director of education programs for the Youth Cinema Project at the Latino Film Institute, which uses arts and media to help young people discover their voice, build confidence, and shape their own stories.  He driv...