My Leading While Female Journey

Dr. Trudy T. Arriaga currently serves as the Dean of Equity and Outreach in the Graduate School of Education at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA. She continues to contribute to the field of education through keynote speeches, workshops, leadership and equity institutes, and professional development collaborations. Trudy has enjoyed a 40-year career in education, including 14 years as the first female superintendent for Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) before retiring in July 2015. Her early roles include working as a bilingual paraeducator, teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director. In recognition of her service, VUSD named its district office the VUSD Trudy Tuttle Arriaga Education Service Center. Dr. Arriaga is also a co-author of two books, "Leading While Female: A Culturally Proficient Response for Gender Equity" and "Opening Doors: An Implementation Template for Cultural Proficiency."

Dr. Stacie L. Stanley serves as the Superintendent in Edina Public Schools. Stacie has served in a variety of education roles including classroom teacher, elementary school principal, math specialist, curriculum & staff development specialist, director of achievement equity, director of curriculum, assessment, and instruction and associate superintendent. Stacie is a Senior Training Associate at the Center for Culturally Proficient Educational Practice and the co-author of Leading While Female: A Culturally Proficient Response for Gender Equity. She is a fierce advocate for ensuring women are positioned to move into executive leadership roles – including a special focus on women of color. She earned a doctorate degree from Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she researched the impact of intercultural development on K-6 administrative leadership practice. Stacie is also an adjunct faculty member in Bethel University doctoral program in Minnesota, and a member of the Hamline School of Education Advisory Board. She lives with her husband, and enjoys being an empty nester, taking long walks, and spending time with their grandchildren.

Dr. Delores B. Lindsey retired as Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at California State University San Marcos; however, she has not retired from the education profession. Her primary focus is developing culturally proficient leaders. She helps educational leaders examine their organizations’ policies and practices, and their individual beliefs and values about cross-cultural communication. Her message to her audiences focuses on viewing, creating, and managing socially just educational practices, culturally proficient leadership practice, and diversity as an asset to be nurtured. Her favorite reflective question is: Are we who we say we are? Delores and husband Randall, her favorite Sage/Corwin author, continue to co-write about the application of the four Tools of Cultural Proficiency. Her most recent publication, which is on the Bestseller list from Corwin, is Leading While Female, A Culturally Proficient Response for Gender Equity, with Trudy Arriaga and Stacie Stanley.