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 powerful voice to educational leadership.

1:03 - Introduction

2:14 - My Leadership Story

35:06 - Purpose and Resilience

44:24 - CLEAR

48:23 - Principal

53:37 - Suyensita and Her Adventures

58:15 - Leading with Humanity

1:00:39 - Board of Education

1:04:53 - Guiding Principles

Dr. Irella Pérez was born and raised in Nicaragua amid war, dictatorship, and revolution, and her life has been shaped by resilience, displacement, and hope. She has served as a superintendent, school board trustee, professor, consultant, executive leader, and author. Irella is Superintendent in Residence for Renaissance Learning, where she serves as a strategic advisor advancing systems reform, transformational leadership, and public affairs.

Irella received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish literature and a master’s degree in educational administration from California State University, Long Beach. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Southern California. Irella is founder of the CALSA Hermanas Leading Network and co-founder of Athenas of Happiness.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-irella-perez-26a53036

Email: drirellaperez@yahoo.com

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com

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.

1:03 - Introduction

2:02 - My Leadership Story

26:30 - Multilingual Programs

29:51 - Milken Educator Award

35:26 - Principal

40:40 - Growing into Leadership

43:27 - Assistant Principal

47:02 - Support System of People

50:58 - Guiding Principles

Manuel Zaldivar was born in Honduras and immigrated to the United States in 1998. His first job in the United States was as an elevator operator, an experience that taught him responsibility and perseverance. Manuel began his journey into education through AmeriCorps, where he discovered his passion for working with students. He has served as a teacher, instructional coach, intervention coordinator, assistant principal, principal, and multilingual supervisor. Manuel is currently the acting assistant superintendent for the Waterbury Public Schools in Connecticut.

Manuel received a bachelor’s degree in computer science and management applications from Fordham University. He earned a master’s degree in childhood education from Lehman College. Manuel won the Milken Educator Award for Connecticut in 2016.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/manuel-zaldivar-b8b0a3368

Facebook: facebook.com/manuel.zaldivar.7

Email: zaldivar21@hotmail.com

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com

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 (NIEER), where she continues to make a profound impact on education for young learners.

1:03 - Introduction

2:00 - My Leadership Story

15:40 - National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)

19:36 - School Leadership

30:21 - Bring Your Own Sunshine

34:55 - Latina Leaders

41:45 - Personal Theory of Action

46:14 - Learn, Grow, and Develop as a Leader

49:19 - Guiding Principles

Elise Genao received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northeastern University and her master’s degree in early childhood education and school administration endorsement from William Paterson University. She is a recipient of the New Jersey Diversity in Education Award—F.L.O.R. Foundation; the National Excellence in School Leadership Initiative (NESLI) Scholarship for The Latina Women's Advanced Leadership Program; and the Pacini International Scholarship, which allowed her to study Reggio Emilia practices abroad.

Elise has served public schools, Head Start, and private providers in New Jersey as a preschool teacher, curriculum supervisor, instructional coach, adjunct professor, and school principal. She has supported students, teachers, and parents in urban and suburban settings spanning grades PreK-8. Elise has three beautiful daughters and continues her collaborative work with educators at NIEER.

This Encore episode was first published as Latino Leaders Episode 2 on March 31, 2024.

Learn more about Elise: sites.google.com/view/eliseagenao/home

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elise-genao-683292277

Email: EliseAGenao@gmail.com

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com