Join host Pablo Muñoz for a thought-provoking conversation with his featured guest — Lisette Nieves.

Lisette is the president of the Fund for the City of New York, advancing innovation across technology, policy, and community impact. She is a clinical professor at New York University (NYU) who co-founded the Center for Youth and the Future of Work and a groundbreaking doctoral program in Leadership and Innovation at NYU Steinhardt. Lisette is the author of two books on equity in work-based learning and youth career pathways.

1:03 - Introduction

2:06 - My Leadership Story

38:12 - Fund for the City of New York

46:28 - Work-Based Learning

1:11:09 - White House Commission

1:16:07 - Working for a Future

1:22:27 - My Past Should Not Be My Future

1:28:17 - Young Women of Color

1:35:24 - Invisible Labor, Visible Consequences

1:40:10 - Guiding Principles

Dr. Lisette Nieves is a visionary leader and a steadfast advocate for public service innovation. She has dedicated her career to pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible in government and nonprofit effectiveness. Lisette advances leadership training and innovative research, and she ensures that the voices of young people are at the forefront of shaping workforce development opportunities.

Lisette is the author of two influential books: Working for a Future: Equity and Access in Work-Based Learning for Young People and Working to Learn: Disrupting the Divide between College and Career Pathways for Young People. She is a Truman Scholar, Rhodes Scholar, Aspen Pahara Fellow, and Richard P. Nathan Public Policy Fellow. Lisette was appointed to the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and the Board of AmeriCorps.

Lisette received a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Oxford and a master’s degree in public administration from Princeton University. Lisette earned a doctorate with distinction in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisette-nieves-5414395

Email: lnieves@fcny.org

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 uplifting conversation with his featured guest — Sonia Ruiz.

Sonia is a proud Latina leader who has dedicated her life to serving others. She is an equity-minded leader who believes that representation matters and that all students deserve to be seen, valued, and supported. Sonia was named the 2025 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year and the 2025 NAESP National Distinguished Principal of the Year.

1:03 - Introduction

2:09 - My Leadership Story

19:25 - Principal of the Year

24:28 - Latina Leaders

28:47 - Assistant Principal

33:08 - You Matter, You Belong

35:57 - Representation Matters

39:20 - Guiding Principles

Sonia Ruiz is the principal of Jane Addams Middle School at the Valley View School District 365U in Illinois, where her leadership has led the school to Exemplary Status for three consecutive years. She has over two decades of experience dedicated to fostering inclusive, high-achieving school communities. Sonia serves as the diversity and equity chairwoman for the Illinois Principals Association (IPA).

Sonia received a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She holds a second master’s degree in school leadership from Concordia University Chicago. Sonia is working on her doctorate in educational administration and foundations at Illinois State University.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sonia-ruiz-00016b14b

Email: ruizse@vvsd.org

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 a fascinating conversation with his featured guest — Patricia Hurrieta.

Patricia offers a unique "full-circle" perspective as a biliterate public school educator who has served in every capacity from custodian to successful 15-year principal. She is currently spearheading the implementation of La Raza Report to dismantle the "Brown Ceiling" and ensure Latine students, staff, and families are reflected in the system's success. Patricia is the director of the Latine Student Success (LSS) team and a 30-year veteran leader of the Denver Public Schools (DPS).

1:03 - Introduction

2:11 - My Leadership Story

31:06 - La Raza Report

36:57 - Latine Student Success

40:57 - Brown Ceiling

44:12 - Principal

48:58 - Culture, Equity, and Leadership

52:06 - Momentum and Execution

54:30 - Biliteracy and Belonging

58:32 - Guiding Principles

Dr. Patricia Hurrieta uses her extensive culturally responsive leadership expertise to address La Raza Report and Latine family needs. She was the executive director of culture, equity, and leadership and the principal of multiple schools. Patricia helped establish the Seal of Biliteracy at the district and state levels with a four-district Colorado team, officially recognizing students' biliteracy.

Patricia received a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver. Patricia earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Denver.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phurrieta

Website: dpsk12.org/page/la-raza

Email: phurrie@dpsk12.net

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