DONATE
NEWSLETTER

Applications open for principal and district fellowships. Click here for more info.

who we are

The work to be done…

WOCEC is a career and professional support network for women of color.

Our goals are to:

  • Promote leaders’ self-care mindsets and practices
  • Strengthen leadership skills and capacities
  • Expand leaders’ professional networks
  • Contribute to the knowledge base on diverse women leaders
  • Create environments that foster strong teams
  • Improve outcomes for learners

Our tailored program empowers you with the knowledge and expertise to navigate complex challenges in your leadership roles and drive impactful results.

 

Decades of research show a multitude of benefits of educator leadership diversity.

Despite this evidence

The diversity of the educator leadership workforce has not kept pace with the growing diversity of student population

Women of color, in particular, are underrepresented in school and system leadership positions.

Students of Color

Principals
of Color

Superintendents
of Color

Women of Color Principals

Women of Color Superintendents

Sources:

U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d.)..

U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d.). National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS), 2017–18. National elementary and secondary enrollment by race/ethnicity projection model, 1972 through 2029

Miles Nash, A., & Grogan, M. (2022). Leadership and the U.S. superintendency: Issues of race, preparation and impact. School Leadership & Management, 42(1), 24-43, https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2021.1922375

Our Board of Directors

Dr. Stephanie Wood-Garnett
Founder & CEO, WOCEC
Dr. Stephanie Wood-Garnett was president of the Institute for Student Achievement (ISA), managing director of the Institute for Student Achievement Foundation, and associate vice president of ETS. Prior to joining ISA, she served as the vice president of policy to practice for the Alliance for Excellent Education where she advocated for high school transformation on behalf of underserved students.
Dr. Monica Martinez
Director of College Success, Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Foundation
A first-generation college student with a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Martinez joined the foundation in 2023 with extensive experience building and managing initiatives and programs focused on equity and innovation in education at all levels.
Andrea Foggy-Paxton
Founder & CEO, Foggy-Paxton Consulting, LLC
Andrea Foggy-Paxton most recently served as managing director of partner strategy at the Broad Center, leading efforts to collaborate with urban school systems and strategic alliances to accelerate excellence and equity for all students. Prior to the Broad Center, Ms. Foggy-Paxton was executive vice president at Reasoning Mind, a nonprofit organization focused on transforming math education in the United States.
C. Lynn McNair
President, Windward Fund
C. Lynn McNair is the inaugural president of the Windward Fund, an independent 501(c)3 on a mission to build a more impactful environmental movement by connecting people across diverse geographies, sectors, and communities. The Windward Fund provides a vehicle for effective, community-based, grassroots grantmaking that elevates the voices of those most impacted by environmental degradation. I
Dr. Jamal Watson
Journalist, Historian & Philanthropy Leader
Dr. Watson is on the faculty of Trinity Washington University. A veteran higher education reporter and editor, Watson continues to serve as a contributing editor to Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, the publication that he has been affiliated with for more than 20 years.
Dr. Kelly M. Walton
Ed Solutions Alliance Principal Partner / Chief Innovation Office
Dr. Kelly M. Walton is a results-driven thought leader with extensive experience and achievement in the public sector, leading and managing multi-million-dollar programs from concept to implementation. She has 20+ years of experience in K-12 leadership, education management, and secondary school transformation.
Dr. Robin Hall
Chief of Schools Council of the Great City Schools
Dr. Robin Hall is the Chief of Schools for the Council of the Great City Schools. She keeps members informed about research on systems and successful strategies for improving student achievement.
Rosalyn Rice-Harris
Senior Director, Collaboratives, Council of Chief State School Officers
Rosalyn Rice-Harris is a promising principals' academy coach for aspiring school principals at Insight. She brings with her over 20 years of experience in public education, focusing on high-needs schools as a teacher, master teacher, principal and district leader.
Cathleen Richardson
Senior Leadership Executive at Apple
Cathleen Richardson has been a pioneer educational technology specialist for over 25+ years. She has worn many hats from being a classroom educator to currently spearheading 2 $100 million dollar national Community Education and Racial Equity and Justice initiatives at Apple.

Our Board of Directors

Dr. Stephanie Wood-Garnett
Founder & CEO, WOCEC
Dr. Stephanie Wood-Garnett was president of the Institute for Student Achievement (ISA), managing director of the Institute for Student Achievement Foundation, and associate vice president of ETS. Prior to joining ISA, she served as the vice president of policy to practice for the Alliance for Excellent Education where she advocated for high school transformation on behalf of underserved students.
Dr. Monica Martinez
Director of College Success, Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Foundation
A first-generation college student with a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Martinez joined the foundation in 2023 with extensive experience building and managing initiatives and programs focused on equity and innovation in education at all levels.
Andrea Foggy-Paxton
Founder & CEO, Foggy-Paxton Consulting, LLC
Andrea Foggy-Paxton most recently served as managing director of partner strategy at the Broad Center, leading efforts to collaborate with urban school systems and strategic alliances to accelerate excellence and equity for all students. Prior to the Broad Center, Ms. Foggy-Paxton was executive vice president at Reasoning Mind, a nonprofit organization focused on transforming math education in the United States.
C. Lynn McNair
President, Windward Fund
C. Lynn McNair is the inaugural president of the Windward Fund, an independent 501(c)3 on a mission to build a more impactful environmental movement by connecting people across diverse geographies, sectors, and communities. The Windward Fund provides a vehicle for effective, community-based, grassroots grantmaking that elevates the voices of those most impacted by environmental degradation. I
Dr. Jamal Watson
Journalist, Historian & Philanthropy Leader
Dr. Watson is on the faculty of Trinity Washington University. A veteran higher education reporter and editor, Watson continues to serve as a contributing editor to Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, the publication that he has been affiliated with for more than 20 years.
Dr. Kelly M. Walton
Ed Solutions Alliance Principal Partner / Chief Innovation Office
Dr. Kelly M. Walton is a results-driven thought leader with extensive experience and achievement in the public sector, leading and managing multi-million-dollar programs from concept to implementation. She has 20+ years of experience in K-12 leadership, education management, and secondary school transformation.
Dr. Robin Hall
Chief of Schools Council of the Great City Schools
Dr. Robin Hall is the Chief of Schools for the Council of the Great City Schools. She keeps members informed about research on systems and successful strategies for improving student achievement.
Rosalyn Rice-Harris
Senior Director, Collaboratives, Council of Chief State School Officers
Rosalyn Rice-Harris is a promising principals' academy coach for aspiring school principals at Insight. She brings with her over 20 years of experience in public education, focusing on high-needs schools as a teacher, master teacher, principal and district leader.
Cathleen Richardson
Senior Leadership Executive at Apple
Cathleen Richardson has been a pioneer educational technology specialist for over 25+ years. She has worn many hats from being a classroom educator to currently spearheading 2 $100 million dollar national Community Education and Racial Equity and Justice initiatives at Apple.

Our Executive Coaches

Kaweeda G. Adams
Superintendent in Residence
Kaweeda G. Adams is a retired superintendent of the City School District of Albany (NY) where she served the students and families from August 2017 to January 2023.
Meria Carstarphen, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Brenda Cassellius, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Brenda Cassellius has spent three decades as an educator devoted to helping all children succeed and thrive. Most recently as the superintendent of Boston Public Schools, she led the district successfully through a global pandemic, secured $110 million in new annual funding, and passed an historic admissions policy, increasing diversity and opportunity for students across Boston.
Talisa Dixon, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Talisa Dixon, a veteran educator and advocate for equitable opportunities, retired as superintendent and CEO of Columbus City (OH) Schools in 2022. She began her career as a social studies teacher in Akron and held leadership roles in Columbus from 2001 to 2010.
Constance Evelyn
Constance Evelyn, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
For over 30 years, Dr. Constance Evelyn has been a dedicated advocate for public education at local, state, and national levels, with a focus on ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all children.
Danita Ishibashi, EdD
Executive Coach
Dr. Danita Ishibashi, with over three decades of experience in charter and public education, has dedicated 15 years to district level leadership, driving academic excellence in high-needs districts.
Dr. Melissa Kim
Executive Coach
Dr. Melissa Kim has dedicated 27 years to promoting excellence and equity in education, strategically working to dismantle systemic barriers faced by children and their families while enhancing learning experiences for students and educators alike.
Lorna Lewis, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Lorna Lewis has been a pioneer throughout her 40-year career as an educator. She is in her third year as an executive coach for the WOCEC. In 2018 she became the first woman of color to preside over the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYCOSS), representing over 800 education leaders statewide.
Denise M Lowe
Denise M Lowe, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Denise M. Lowe is a passionate advocate for children and education with over 45 years of experience. As the former superintendent of Asbury Park (NJ) School District, she focused on student achievement, teacher quality, and curriculum management.
Nakia Nicholson
Executive Coach
For over twenty years, Nakia Nicholson has served as an educator successfully coaching leaders to transform their practices in the K-12 public and charter school sectors.
Cheryl Logan, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Cheryl Logan, the 2022 McGraw Prize in Education Winner, is the director of the McGraw Center for Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (GSE).
Cynthia Paris
Cynthia Paris
Superintendent in Residence
Cynthia Paris is a seasoned transformational leader with over 25 years of experience in education, specializing in working with multilingual students and improving outcomes for children.
Alicia Thompson, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Alicia Thompson was superintendent of the Wichita (KS) Public Schools from July 2017 to June 2023. She obtained her post-secondary education from Langston University, Newman University, and ultimately received her doctorate of educational leadership from Wichita State University.

Our Executive Coaches

Kaweeda G. Adams
Superintendent in Residence
Kaweeda G. Adams is a retired superintendent of the City School District of Albany (NY) where she served the students and families from August 2017 to January 2023.
Meria Carstarphen, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Brenda Cassellius, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Brenda Cassellius has spent three decades as an educator devoted to helping all children succeed and thrive. Most recently as the superintendent of Boston Public Schools, she led the district successfully through a global pandemic, secured $110 million in new annual funding, and passed an historic admissions policy, increasing diversity and opportunity for students across Boston.
Talisa Dixon, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Talisa Dixon, a veteran educator and advocate for equitable opportunities, retired as superintendent and CEO of Columbus City (OH) Schools in 2022. She began her career as a social studies teacher in Akron and held leadership roles in Columbus from 2001 to 2010.
Constance Evelyn
Constance Evelyn, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
For over 30 years, Dr. Constance Evelyn has been a dedicated advocate for public education at local, state, and national levels, with a focus on ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all children.
Danita Ishibashi, EdD
Executive Coach
Dr. Danita Ishibashi, with over three decades of experience in charter and public education, has dedicated 15 years to district level leadership, driving academic excellence in high-needs districts.
Dr. Melissa Kim
Executive Coach
Dr. Melissa Kim has dedicated 27 years to promoting excellence and equity in education, strategically working to dismantle systemic barriers faced by children and their families while enhancing learning experiences for students and educators alike.
Lorna Lewis, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Lorna Lewis has been a pioneer throughout her 40-year career as an educator. She is in her third year as an executive coach for the WOCEC. In 2018 she became the first woman of color to preside over the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYCOSS), representing over 800 education leaders statewide.
Denise M Lowe
Denise M Lowe, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Denise M. Lowe is a passionate advocate for children and education with over 45 years of experience. As the former superintendent of Asbury Park (NJ) School District, she focused on student achievement, teacher quality, and curriculum management.
Nakia Nicholson
Executive Coach
For over twenty years, Nakia Nicholson has served as an educator successfully coaching leaders to transform their practices in the K-12 public and charter school sectors.
Cheryl Logan, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Cheryl Logan, the 2022 McGraw Prize in Education Winner, is the director of the McGraw Center for Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (GSE).
Cynthia Paris
Cynthia Paris
Superintendent in Residence
Cynthia Paris is a seasoned transformational leader with over 25 years of experience in education, specializing in working with multilingual students and improving outcomes for children.
Alicia Thompson, Ed.D.
Superintendent in Residence
Dr. Alicia Thompson was superintendent of the Wichita (KS) Public Schools from July 2017 to June 2023. She obtained her post-secondary education from Langston University, Newman University, and ultimately received her doctorate of educational leadership from Wichita State University.

Our Partners

Carnagie
Brand Name

Click here to be a sponsor of the WOCEC.

Email: hello@wocedcollaborative.org