Bold Visions, Bold Solutions: Redefining How Schools Are Led

The practice of looking back to move forward is integral to effective leadership. As one of our alumni and current superintendent, Dr. Ian Roberts, aptly explains, “The question that I always ask my team and every school leader is: What is most important right now?” Dr. Roberts explains that successful change happens not by “adding, adding, and adding on, but by thinking about what is most important right now.” We could not agree more.

In that same spirit of reflection, New Leaders released our 2023 annual report—Bold Visions, Bold Solutions: Redefining How Schools Are Led. The report explores how we rose to meet the shifting needs of the K-12 education field with creativity, determination, and an unwavering belief in the brilliance and potential of every child. And how we did this without sacrificing what our partners value most about New Leaders: our equity focus, our responsiveness, and our commitment to efficacy and impact. 

Our 2023 impact

This past year ushered in immense growth and opportunity for New Leaders. Here’s how we met the needs of K-12 leaders at every level: 

Our transformational leaders

At the center of our work are the people who make it possible: our staff members, district partners, alumni, the philanthropic community, and more. Your passion fuels our resolve to develop leaders who support students in fully realizing their futures as the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and advocates in service of a more just society. 

Take a moment to meet a few of our leaders—and discover how they are positive and powerful forces for change in their school and district communities. 

Jeffrey Monroe, Fellow and Principal, Promise Academy Public Charter Schools 

“If your goal is to become an equity-focused instructional leader with the ability to create the conditions within educational settings for all children and adults to learn their power and value, that’s what the Fellowship will do.”

A former high school chemistry teacher in Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Monroe completed the Fellowship as part of our first cohort. He accepted a school principal role soon after for this school year. 

Katie Carmany, New Leaders Alum and Vice Principal of Special Assignment, Fresno Unified School District

“I’ve seen coaching move leaders and teachers from ‘our kids can’t do this’ to ‘our kids can.’ The impact is huge.” 

Recognizing that assistant principals are often overlooked for professional learning, Carmany partnered with New Leaders to provide job-embedded coaching and leadership development. By year end, multiple Fresno leaders reported double-digit student gains.

Myron Long, New Leaders Alum, Founder and Executive Director of Social Justice School

“We’re really thankful for the opportunity to make our mission become true. New Leaders gave us room to pause, reimagine, and rethink our vision of success.”

Tapping into our alumni offerings, Long participated in our Exploring New Schools Model program, which helped him turn his bold ideas into a new school. The Social Justice School empowers students to be designers of a more just world.

Daniela Anello, New Leaders Alum and Head of School, DC Bilingual Public Charter School

“I saw my principal as a role model. She was Latina herself, and I wanted to be just like her.”

Anello shared her remarkable leadership journey from a teacher to the head of school as part of our comprehensive report—The Shoulder Tap—on the state of school leader diversity in the U.S. 

Join us in our mission

We are proud of all that we have accomplished—and have our eyes on an even bolder future. By 2027, we intend to be the largest provider of equity-driven leaders in the country. Join us in the pursuit of excellence in our nation’s schools. Learn more today.