On Feb. 23, ACSA Region 17 hosted Pathways to Leadership at the Norma Hertzog Community Center in Costa Mesa, bringing together aspiring and current administrators from across Orange County. The evening demonstrated a clear commitment to cultivating the next generation of educational leaders, as is reflected in Region 17’s guiding motto: “The Place to Be. The Place to Belong. The Place to Become.”

Designed to demystify leadership pathways and provide practical preparation strategies, the event created space for transparent dialogue about advancement, readiness, and professional growth. Participants represented a range of roles, including teachers exploring administration, site leaders considering district positions, and aspiring superintendents seeking clarity on next steps.

Superintendent keynote: Standing out in the market The evening opened with a superintendent panel featuring Dr. Gabriela Mafi, superintendent of Garden Grove Unified School District, and Dr. Leisa Winston, superintendent of Huntington Beach City School District. Their remarks focused on navigating today’s competitive hiring landscape with intention and preparation.

Both superintendents emphasized the importance of researching districts thoroughly and aligning personal leadership values with district priorities. Understanding strategic plans, governance structures, and community context signals readiness and commitment. Panelists also encouraged participants to pursue continuous professional growth through ACSA Academies, mentoring, and leadership development opportunities.

A key theme throughout the keynote was impact. Candidates who clearly articulate measurable results alongside qualitative evidence of collaboration and culture-building distinguish themselves in the hiring process. Quantitative data demonstrates effectiveness. Narrative insight reflects leadership capacity. Participants were reminded that leadership advancement often requires courage. When trusted colleagues identify potential, aspiring leaders should act with confidence and apply.

Strand sessions Following the keynote, participants engaged in strand-based breakout sessions representing six leadership pathways:

• Principalship.
• Student Services and Special Education.
• Business Services.
• Human Resources.
• Curriculum and Instruction.
• Superintendency.

In Principalship, Dr. Julie Hatchel of El Morro Elementary and Dr. Brad Baker of San Clemente High School discussed instructional leadership, school culture, and the daily operational demands of site administration.

In Student Services and Special Education, Sarah Coley of Newport Mesa Unified and Kate Christmas of Tustin Unified addressed compliance, equity-centered systems, and coordinated student support structures.

Business Services leaders Rick Champion of Brea Olinda Unified and Matt Slusser of Anaheim Elementary School District explored fiscal stewardship and operational alignment as essential components of district effectiveness.

In Human Resources, Dr. Ryan Weiss-Wright of Los Alamitos Unified and Cathie Abdel of Fountain Valley School District examined recruitment, retention, and labor relations as strategic leadership functions.

Curriculum and Instruction leaders Dr. Elizabeth Leon of Placentia Yorba Linda Unified and Dr. Leticia Alvarado of Santa Ana Unified emphasized instructional coherence and system alignment to improve student outcomes.

The Superintendency strand, led by Dr. Mafi and Dr. Winston, provided insight into districtwide vision, governance, and strategic leadership.

Across strands, consistent themes emerged: collaboration across departments, measurable impact, relational leadership, and intentional preparation.

Extending leadership development through ACSA The evening concluded with information about sustained leadership growth opportunities through ACSA.

Dr. Tracie Noriega, senior director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Professional Learning at ACSA, highlighted ACSA Academies as structured professional learning pathways that build essential competencies for aspiring and current administrators. These academies provide comprehensive preparation aligned to California’s leadership standards and real-world district demands.

Dr. Tamerin Tooker, Credential and Coaching Services director at ACSA, introduced ACSA Precision Coaching, emphasizing the value of individualized coaching support to strengthen leadership practice. Precision Coaching offers targeted feedback and reflective dialogue to deepen leadership effectiveness.

Together, these resources reinforce ACSA’s statewide commitment to developing leaders who are prepared, reflective, and systems-focused.

A model for leadership development Pathways to Leadership exemplifies how regions can intentionally build strong leadership pipelines. By combining superintendent perspective, practitioner insight, and structured professional development opportunities, ACSA Region 17 provided participants with clarity, direction, and confidence.

Rebecca Pianta, Ed.D., is the coordinator of College and Career Readiness for the Santa Ana Unified School District.