About

Theory of Action

Focused on strategic communications and public engagement, Leading Now enables superintendents to access and apply messages and trust-building strategies in service of ALL students. To see how this makes a difference, click here for our 2024-25 Impact Report!

Origin Story

While K-12 superintendents have always been public officials, the role has never been as political as it is now: curriculum, professional development, and school board dynamics are subject to high-stakes scrutiny and fast-moving state legislation. Our country needs courageous leaders at the top of every system to prioritize and accelerate student learning, addressing years of inequities and the devastating effects of a pandemic.

We started Leading Now in 2021 to offer a combination of peer-driven learning cohorts and tech-enabled professional learning to a broad range of superintendents across the country. With the right support, superintendents can defuse tension and seize the opportunity of this moment to rally adults around the potential and needs of ALL children.

Mora Segal and Caitlin Sullivan
Co-founders

Our Community

How we work

We provide district and system leaders with strategic communications resources and strategies within a trusting community of peers so that they may navigate their environments intentionally and advance their student-centered priorities. Member benefits includes:

Learning Cohorts

One in-person convening and four virtual sessions over the course of 15 weeks

Cohort sessions are grounded in a leader’s problem of practice and include an expert briefing + resources that superintendents can immediately apply

Direct support and tailored referrals

Strategic advisors available for just-in-time assistance to navigate particularly intense or complex situations
Connections with partner organizations that can lean in to priorities adjacent to strategic communications (e.g., academic strategy, talent recruitment)

Virtual Community

Monthly briefing sessions, a password-protected resource library, virtual channels for peer and expert connectivity

Beliefs

Public Education

Our democracy depends on public schools to prepare the next generation of engaged, independent thinkers.

Common Ground

Shared values help keep the focus on student learning and away from politics.

School System Leaders

They carry a profound responsibility on their shoulders and deserve the highest quality support in a trusting community.

Our Team

The center of gravity of our work: 300+ superintendents from across the country who have joined learning cohorts and programming with us since fall 2021. The team of staff and advisors below are committed to serving the strengths and needs of our community.