2026 ACSA Women in School Leadership Forum: Full Schedule

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1:00pm PDT

Registration & Information

Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer

Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer

Registration & Information

1:30pm PDT

Beyond the Resume: Advancing Women in Leadership Through Equitable Hiring Practices

Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

TBA

Despite increasing awareness around equity, women—especially women of color—continue to face systemic barriers in hiring and advancement. This interactive session equips educational leaders with practical, HR-informed strategies to redesign hiring practices—from resume screening to interviews—to intentionally uplift and advance women into leadership roles.

Participants will examine real-world examples of resumes and interview scenarios, and practice implementing equitable strategies that prioritize leadership potential within themselves.

Speakers

Erin Roberts

Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Oakley Union ESD

Erin Roberts serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the Oakley Union Elementary School District. Throughout her career, she has been an active member of ACSA, holding various administrative roles including Principal, Curriculum Director, and Human Resources... Read More →

Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
TBA

Workshop

Topic Resume Workshop

1:30pm PDT

Girl Boss Dinners: Building the Table Where Women Lead, Last, and Succeed

Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

TBA

This hands‑on workshop teaches participants how to design, launch, and sustain a monthly Girl Boss Dinner—an inclusive, low‑cost peer networking dinner that cultivates mentorship, sponsorship, emotional support, leadership practice, and measurable career advancement for women in school leadership. Participants will leave with a ready-to-implement plan, tools, and practice in facilitation and outreach. By the end of this session participants will be able to:

Create a 6‑month implementation plan for a monthly Girl Boss Dinner for their region/department with defined objectives and metrics (attendance, mentorship matches, career outcomes). (Measured: completed plan template.)
Facilitate two evidence‑based conversation formats that foster sponsorship and psychological safety. (Measured: practiced facilitation during workshop role‑plays.)
Identify three recruitment and retention strategies to build diverse attendance and sustained engagement. (Measured: checklist completed.)
Define and set two measurable impact indicators (e.g., 1 mentor–mentee match/month, 30% increase in promotion discussions among attendees within 12 months) and draft a simple tracking tool. (Measured: filled tracking template.)

Speakers

Lisa Longoria, Ph.D.

Principal, Desert Sands USD

Dr. Lisa Longoria is a visionary educational leader and the Principal of Washington Charter Elementary School in the Desert Sands Unified School District. With a career spanning over two decades, she has become a leading voice in fostering environments where both students and educators... Read More →

Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
TBA

Workshop

Level Beginner
Topic Personal-Branding

1:30pm PDT

Vision to Impact: Building the Leadership Future You Imagine

Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

TBA

Women leaders continue to redefine organizations, challenge outdated systems, and create transformative pathways for future generations. Yet many continue to navigate barriers within traditionally male-dominated leadership spaces while balancing expectations connected to identity, representation, and organizational culture.

This session is an interactive workshop designed to empower women leaders to strategically plan their next steps in leadership while building confidence, clarity, and long-term vision for their impact. Through reflective dialogue, collaborative activities, and guided vision board facilitation, participants will explore how to lead innovation, influence policy, and create measurable, sustainable organizational change.

A central component of this session is the leadership vision board experience, where participants will identify personal and professional goals, define the impact they want to create, and map out actionable strategies for growth and advancement. The session will help women leaders move beyond barriers and limitation narratives toward intentional, equity-centered leadership action.

Participants will engage in meaningful reflection on leadership identity, systems transformation, and sustainable influence while developing practical next steps aligned to their vision and purpose. Attendees will leave with a personalized vision board, renewed inspiration, and actionable strategies to support continued leadership growth and organizational impact.

Speakers

Kerrie Torres

Deputy Superintendent, Newport-Mesa USD

Dr. Kerrie Torres is a seasoned educational leader with over 28 years of experience serving diverse school communities across Southern California. She currently serves as Deputy Superintendent of Newport-Mesa Unified School District, where she leads with a strong commitment to student... Read More →

Leona Olson

Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources (Retired), Newport-Mesa USD

Leona is a longtime ACSA member and an accomplished educational leader with 41 years of dedicated service in the public school system. Before retiring, she served as the Assistant Superintendent, Chief Human Resources Officer for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Throughout... Read More →

Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
TBA

Workshop

Level Intermediate
Topic Vision Board

4:00pm PDT

Welcoming General Session with Keynote Dr. Karla Estrada | Sponsored by STEAM On Demand

Wednesday September 23, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Grand Ballroom

Speakers

Karla Estrada

Deputy Superintendent of Instruction, Los Angeles USD, ITI

Karla V. Estrada, Ed.D. has spent over 25 years as an outcome focused leader delivering educational excellence and opportunity for all students, because it was education that changed her life trajectory. A proud graduate of Los Angeles Unified School District, she currently serves as the school district’s... Read More →

Sponsors

STEAM On Demand

Wednesday September 23, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

5:00pm PDT

Welcoming Networking Reception | Sponsored by Keenan

Wednesday September 23, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT

TBA

Sponsors

Keenan

Keenan is a leader in the California public school insurance marketplace — experts you can rely on when it comes to risk management, claims services and technology.

Wednesday September 23, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
TBA

Meal Function

1:00pm PDT

1:30pm PDT

1:30pm PDT

1:30pm PDT

4:00pm PDT

5:00pm PDT

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