CALSA's Summer Institute 2026

Latinas are highly represented across the educational workforce, yet remain strikingly underrepresented in the superintendency. This gap is often framed as a pipeline issue. This session challenges that narrative and invites a deeper examination of how leadership pathways are actually experienced.


Grounded in a narrative inquiry study of Latina superintendents in California, this session centers the lived experiences of leaders who have successfully navigated the path to executive leadership. Their stories reveal a more complex reality, one shaped not simply by preparation but by access, visibility, systemic barriers, and the critical role of mentorship, sponsorship, and community.


Through an interactive presentation grounded in research and real-world experiences, participants will engage in structured reflection and peer dialogue to examine how leadership pathways are constructed and who is positioned as “ready.” Attendees will be invited to reflect on their own leadership journeys while gaining practical, actionable strategies to build networks, expand influence, and intentionally create more equitable pathways for emerging leaders.


This session is both a mirror and a call to action. Participants will leave not only with a deeper understanding of the realities shaping leadership advancement but with concrete tools to disrupt inequitable systems and strengthen leadership pipelines. Together, we will explore how to ensure the next generation of leaders is not only prepared but seen, supported, and selected.