A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Herring, CEO of New Leaders

Dr. Herring, what excites you most about stepping into the role of CEO at New Leaders?

What excites me most as I step into this new role as CEO of New Leaders is the opportunity to influence how we prepare and support the next generation of educators and learners. I have seen firsthand that strong leadership is the difference-maker in schools. New Leaders has a powerful track record of shaping leaders who drive student success, and I am eager to build on that foundation at a moment when schools need both stability and innovation.

You have served as a teacher, superintendent, advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education, and president of a national innovation hub. How does this breadth of experience shape your vision for New Leaders?

Over the course of the last 25 years or so, my career has allowed me to see the education landscape from multiple vantage points. I understand the challenges teachers face in classrooms, the systemic decisions superintendents must make, and the national policies that shape long-term outcomes. That perspective reinforces the importance of investing in leaders at every level so that classrooms thrive, schools become stronger, and students are positioned for long-term success.

The education sector is facing significant pressures including teacher shortages, learning recovery, and leadership turnover. How should organizations like New Leaders respond?

Here’s the reality: These challenges demand urgency, but also thoughtful design. We need to build leadership pipelines that are sustainable and responsive to changing conditions. That means providing practical, job-embedded preparation and coaching while also ensuring that educators see clear pathways for growth. If we want schools to be resilient, we must invest in the people who lead them.

You have often spoken about innovation in education. What does innovation look like for schools today?

For me, innovation is not only about technology. It is about reimagining how we approach teaching and learning so that it reflects the world students are preparing to enter. That can include artificial intelligence and digital tools, but it also means creating new models of collaboration, building stronger ties between schools and employers, and ensuring that students experience education that feels relevant, rigorous, and forward-looking.

Career pathways are becoming central to how schools prepare students for the future. What role do educators play in that process?

I truly believe educators are the architects of opportunity. They are the ones who connect academic preparation to real-world pathways. By aligning classroom experiences with future workforce needs, educators give students not only knowledge but also the skills and confidence to pursue careers that will shape their lives and their communities. This is where leadership matters most, because leaders create the conditions that make those connections possible.

Looking at the broader education landscape, what do you see as the most urgent priorities for the next decade?

Here are my non-negotiables as it relates to the decade’s most urgent priorities. We must focus on three things. First, building resilient leadership pipelines so that schools remain strong regardless of turnover. Second, designing classrooms that meet both the academic and social needs of students while preparing them for a rapidly changing workforce landscape. Third, aligning school systems more intentionally with higher education and industry so that the journey from classroom to career is seamless and filled with opportunity.

Finally, how do you hope your leadership at New Leaders will impact the field of education?

In every place that I have been honored to serve, lead or help advance, my hope is that I can continue my life’s work to help redefine what is possible for schools, students and leaders nationwide. I want educators at every level to feel supported, prepared, and inspired to lead with courage. If we can expand the reach of transformational leadership, strengthen classrooms, and open pathways that position students for success in both life and career, then we will have made a lasting impact.  

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