Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket is a wife, mother, and award-winning principal who views leadership as a deeply relational journey. As the President of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals and author of The Principal’s Journey and Relational Intelligence, she emphasizes that strong relationships are the bedrock of any successful school. By advocating for a "one student at a time" approach and being transparent about her own journey with work-life balance and mental health, Dr. Edoho-Eket models a leadership style that prioritizes empathy, mentorship, and the human connection above all else. Connect with her on X @RachelEdohoEket and learn more about her work https://bio.site/the_principals_journey

Principal Baruti Kafele is a transformational leader and best-selling author who has dedicated over 35 years to closing the "Attitude Gap" in education. Known for his "real talk" and high-energy approach, he challenges leaders to reflect on the human impact of their work through the fundamental question: “Is my school a better school because I lead it?” By focusing on the intersection of professional excellence and personal mission, Principal Kafele empowers educators to lead with a profound sense of purpose, equity, and an unwavering commitment to the humanity of every student.

Lauren Kaufman is a K-12 district leader, blogger, and author of The Leader Inside who champions the philosophy that "people come first." For Lauren, human-centered leadership begins with the art of listening—not as a strategic move, but as an act of genuine presence. She encourages leaders to slow down, stay curious, and embrace stillness in a culture that often rewards speed. By sharing her lived experiences with vulnerability, Lauren inspires others to lead through a coaching mindset that honors the unique stories and worth of every individual in the school community.

Dr. Donya Ball is a transformative superintendent, professor, and author of Adjusting the Sails who believes that "real talk" is essential for navigating the storms of leadership. She rejects the myth of the "always-on-the-grind" leader, instead fostering environments where victories are celebrated and resilience is built through authentic, heartfelt conversations. Dr. Ball’s leadership is rooted in the belief that the most successful leaders are those who listen more than they talk, ensuring that every person they lead feels truly seen, heard, and taken care of.

“Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, executive coach, and author with 20+ years of experience building global leaders and high-performing cultures. His evidence-based approach helps executives prioritize human-centered leadership, proven to drive exceptional results and outpace the competition.

Marcel’s extensive evidence-based work with executive and management clients prioritizes a bottom-up, not top-down, approach to getting the best from their employees. The evidence overwhelmingly asserts that a more humane and human-centered approach to leadership will produce excellent results and outperform the competition.” https://www.marcelschwantes.com/meet-marcel/