This transcript has been edited for clarity and length.
Under The Flamboyan | December 2025 Edition
Dr. Kishimoto
Hello everyone, I’m Dr. Christina Kishimoto. Welcome to Under the Flamboyan. For our December 2025 edition, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Kimberly McLeod, President-Elect of NABSE. Welcome, Kimberly.
Dr. McLeod
Thank you. I’m grateful to be here and appreciate the invitation.
Dr. Kishimoto
The last time I saw you was at the Leaders of Color Conference in Annapolis. It was a powerful gathering, and wonderful to connect with you there.
Dr. McLeod
It was an honor—hearing you, learning from you, and sharing space. I hope today we plant seeds that nourish both us and those who are listening in.
Dr. Kishimoto
Yes, that’s what this space is for—learning from women leaders across the country. It’s been a challenging year publicly and organizationally, but with challenge comes opportunity. You’ve led in K–12, higher education, statewide and nationally. What has this semester looked like for you?
Dr. McLeod
This semester has been about focus—identifying what matters most and protecting it. Part of leadership is recognizing what’s a distraction versus what’s intentionally placed in our lives to push us forward. I’ve been intentional about spending time with my sons, preparing NABSE for its next steps, and writing grants—six in the last couple of months. It comes back to keeping the main thing the main thing.
Dr. Kishimoto
I love that you’re enjoying time with your sons. Even as they grow, they still need us, and we need them. Young people across this nation are watching how we show up in leadership. What are you focused on as you lead through NABSE and your other roles?
Dr. McLeod
Even as an educator with decades of experience, I’ve watched my own sons navigate the consequences of marginalization—both conscious and unconscious. It’s a reminder that we’re not our children’s only teachers; the world also teaches. My boys had me. Many families don’t have someone who understands how to navigate systems.
So the question becomes: What happens on our watch?
Are students reading by third grade? Are absences and suspensions being addressed equitably? Do students—particularly those furthest from opportunity—have access to dual credit, AP, Algebra on track to Calculus? Do college students understand FAFSA and persistence? Organizations like NABSE bring together teachers, superintendents, policymakers, higher ed leaders to collectively ensure access and opportunity for all students. Our work must be intentional and collaborative if we want every child to succeed.
Dr. Kishimoto
That collaborative power is something we both witnessed in August, especially among NABSE, NALEO, and NIEA. These groups represent communities historically pushed to the fringe of policy conversations, yet they are essential voices. As you step into the presidency, what’s your vision for how these organizations work together to shift national conversation and impact?
Dr. McLeod
When I served as president of TABSE, I would tell our members: If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. And the data show that our students are being consumed when we’re not represented.
We all want students to succeed. What matters is how we get there. There are differences between our organizations, but also powerful commonalities. We should collaborate in policy, practice, and leader preparation—joint letters, joint advocacy, shared resources—so we’re not pushing forward one organization, but all of them. It’s hard to ignore our voices when we speak together.
Dr. Kishimoto
Well said. Diversity exists not only among groups but within groups. There is tremendous beauty and power in that. The challenge is building unity in both difficult and successful times. How do we build collaboration that lasts beyond individual leaders or specific moments?
Dr. McLeod
We must embed shared goals across organizations—like hybrid branches of the same tree. There’s an African proverb: Even branches of a tree aren’t foolish enough to fight among themselves. We are deeply interconnected.
The tree stays rooted regardless of seasons or leadership changes. So our policies, outcomes, advocacy, and celebrations should stay connected too. If one group succeeds, let’s celebrate and learn from it. I’ve already written all three organizations into multiple grants—for shared learning, shared leadership, and shared outcomes. You can’t teach what you don’t know. So we must build this collaboration now, learn how to do it, and pass it on.
Dr. Kishimoto
That aligns beautifully with the Flamboyan Tree we stand under at Voice4Equity. There’s a long legacy of intentional leadership at NABSE—53 years. As you step into this role, what are your top priorities for 2026 and beyond?
Dr. McLeod
First, we will bolster research. Evidence must drive our advocacy, not just passion. This includes establishing a research institute and expanding global educational partnerships.
We will also launch the National Education Policy Institute (NEPI), through which we’ll train members in advocacy and community organizing. We can’t wait for change—we must help move policy forward.
Additionally, we will strengthen the National Teacher Institute with year-round programming and professional learning. And for aspiring leaders, I want partnerships with higher ed so members can pursue doctoral degrees supported by mentorship within our international network.
Dr. Kishimoto
That’s powerful work. To close, what advice do you have for women pursuing leadership—whether in K–12 or higher education?
Dr. McLeod
Two quotes guide me. When I transitioned from K–12 to higher ed, a mentor told me: Big ships weren’t built to stay in harbor. You must have the courage to set sail. Leadership requires leaving what’s comfortable.
The second is attributed to Theodore Roosevelt: Smooth seas never made a strong sailor. Leadership comes with turbulence—unfair attacks, challenges you don’t deserve. You must navigate with integrity and resilience. You can’t silence your life out of fear. So: Leave the harbor, but be prepared for the storm.
Dr. Kishimoto
Beautifully said. Kimberly, thank you for your leadership, your vision, and your partnership. I look forward to seeing you at When Women Lead in June 2026 in Vancouver, Washington, where we will continue to build a future of equity and justice for our students. Thank you for being with us.
Dr. McLeod
Thank you.
To learn more about Voice4Equity and the upcoming When Women Lead 2026 Conference, visit voice4equity.com.
