Voices of Change: How Leaders are Shaping Equitable Organizations

In our recent Building Equitable Montessori Organizations webinar, three outstanding leaders shared their experiences and insights on building equitable, anti-racist spaces within their schools and communities. 

Liza Davis, an alumna of the Embracing Equity Leadership Residency, was joined by Dawn Grover and Braden Pemberton, both of whom are currently participating in the yearlong program. Each leader’s journey through the Embracing Equity Leadership Residency highlights different aspects of their equity work and leadership development, showcasing how the program can be transformative in various ways.

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Liza Davis, Interim Executive Director of the Montessori Center of Minnesota, emphasized how the Leadership Residency gave her team the confidence and framework to lead their organization through a deep, introspective equity audit and create action plans as a community. Liza shared how her organization is focused on creating a truly inclusive and anti-racist environment. She discussed how the residency pushed her to think critically about structures within teacher training that must be addressed intentionally to create more equitable Montessori environments for adult learners. This includes infusing strategies in training that include working with teachers on preparing themselves to acknowledge and address personal biases to avoid perpetuating inequities within the prepared environment. Additionally, students and trainers collaboratively develop community agreements about how they want to be with each other and support each other's growth during training. Another key action step was reviewing the prepared environment with the adult learners, during which trainees consider where mirrors and windows for their own identities and those of the children they serve might be present and absent, with suggestions for enhancement and development.

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Dawn Grover, Head of School at Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca, reflected on how the transformative residency helped her reframe leadership to be more collaborative and community-focused. Dawn explained, “Equity work cannot be siloed to a single department or leader; it must permeate the entire school.” She further discussed how the residency challenged her team to address systemic issues such as the underrepresentation of marginalized voices in decision-making processes. Dawn shared that the program gave her tools to lead difficult conversations about race and equity with her staff and parents, helping them collectively reimagine how their school could become a model for inclusivity and belonging. 

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Braden Pemberton, Director of Admissions and Special Projects at The Portland Montessori School, spoke about the impact the residency has had on their admissions policies and community engagement efforts. Braden’s focus was on dismantling barriers to access and opportunity for historically underrepresented families. Through the residency, Braden and his team conducted a comprehensive review of their admissions practices, realizing they had been prioritizing strict toileting policies over the needs of families. The team realized they were putting pedagogy before families. They recognized the need for more equitable, inclusive environments that respect diverse cultural approaches to toileting. Braden reflected, “In the past, I would have let these policies default to the status quo, but now I feel empowered to push back and examine our practices through a different lens.” He also shared how the program inspired him to take a more intentional, strategic approach to building a school community that truly reflects Portland's diversity. By implementing targeted recruitment and engaging in transparent conversations with future and current families, the school is committed to real change, taking concrete, measurable steps to ensure lasting equity and accountability.

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Each of these leaders highlighted a unique aspect of the residency’s profound impact on their organization, demonstrating how we go beyond theory, giving leaders actionable steps to drive equity forward in their schools. Importantly, the Leadership Residency is not just for Montessori organizations; it’s designed to support any organization committed to anti-racism, fostering a culture of belonging, and ultimately Building Equitable Organizations! 

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If your team (of up to three leaders!) is ready to transform your organization and embrace equity, then apply now for the 2025 Leadership Residency!