Dr. Renae Bryant
Dr. Renae Bryant is an educator, speaker, consultant, author, and podcast host with more than 20 years of experience advancing student access, opportunity, equity, and success. Her career has spanned roles from bilingual special education instructional assistant to teacher and site leader, coach, district leader, and executive cabinet member. She also serves as an adjunct professor in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at the University of La Verne. Dr. Bryant is the author of The Ed Branding Book: How to Build Educational Leadership with Social Influence and a contributor to Radically Inclusive Teaching for Emergent Plurilingual Newcomers: Braving Up. She is the founder of Leadership Book Chat and host of The Your Story Matters Podcast. Dr. Bryant earned her doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne and has completed leadership programs through Stanford, AASA/USC, and Azusa Pacific University. Her numerous honors include the California Association for Bilingual Education District Administrator of the Year, the national Leading While Female Icon Award, and the Quantum Impact Courageous Leadership Award.
Cynthia Covarrubias
Cynthia “Cyn” Covarrubias is a speaker, business development professional, and relationship strategist with more than 20 years of experience building strategic partnerships throughout Southern California. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with educational leaders, community organizations, and business partners to create meaningful connections that strengthen schools, organizations, and the communities they serve. A lifelong student of human behavior, Cyn is passionate about emotional intelligence, communication, leadership, and the psychology of human connection. She believes meaningful leadership begins with meaningful relationships and that every interaction offers an opportunity to learn and grow. Through her writing and speaking, Cyn seeks to build bridges of understanding and inspire conversations rooted in curiosity, compassion, and authentic connection. At the heart of her work is a belief in the power of sisterhood—that we were never meant to grow alone and that strong relationships can transform lives and communities.
Margarita Cuizon-Armelino
Margarita Cuizon-Armelino has dedicated more than three decades to serving educational leaders across California, building communities, developing people, and creating opportunities that help others lead with confidence and purpose. As Deputy Executive Director of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), she has focused her career on understanding what leaders need to thrive and creating communities where they feel supported, connected, and empowered. An immigrant, lifelong learner, and experienced leader, Margarita believes that life’s challenges can strengthen resilience, deepen compassion, and bring clarity to what matters most. Whether speaking to leaders, mentoring emerging professionals, or sharing lessons from her own journey, she champions connection over competition and encouragement over judgment. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: the strongest leaders are shaped not by perfection, but by the relationships that challenge, encourage, and transform them.
Dr. Kimberly MacKinney
Dr. Kimberly MacKinney is an educational leader, mentor, and advocate who believes leadership is never a solo endeavor. From her earliest days as a classroom teacher to her current role as Executive Director of Secondary Schools, she has dedicated her career to expanding opportunities, fostering belonging, and helping students and emerging leaders thrive. As a teacher, Kimberly created California’s first high school Women’s Studies course, reflecting her longstanding commitment to ensuring that students see themselves represented, valued, and capable of making an impact. Her leadership extends beyond schools through her work mentoring young women with the American Legion Auxiliary California Girls State program and supporting aspiring leaders through statewide professional networks. Kimberly holds degrees from California State University, Long Beach, California State University, San Bernardino, and the University of Southern California. At the heart of her work is a belief in the power of women to encourage, challenge, and champion one another—and a commitment to paying forward the support and mentorship she has received throughout her own journey.