Join host Pablo Muñoz for an outstanding conversation with his featured guest — Mercedes Fonseca.

Mercedes is an education leader and advocate for multilingual learners focused on helping schools create coherent, student-centered systems. Her work is grounded in comunidad, opportunity, and impact. Mercedes is the director of academics for TNTP in Dallas, Texas, where she works at the intersection of curriculum, leadership, biliteracy, and educational access.

1:03 - Introduction

2:06 - My Leadership Story

25:55 - Pobrecito Syndrome

27:09 - Latinos for Education

28:19 - Building Coherent Schools

32:01 - AI Integration

33:17 - Digital Promise

34:22 - Ultimate Test of a School System

38:00 - Latina Leaders

42:04 - Code Switching

43:36 - Belonging Before Achievement

46:41 - Hidden Cost of Mixed Messages

50:05 - Intentionally Designed Pathways

55:28 - Guiding Principles

Mercedes Fonseca is a first-generation Latina education leader, speaker, and instructional coherence strategist with more than 20 years of experience supporting schools and districts across the country. She has partnered with more than 30 school systems to strengthen curriculum implementation, instructional leadership, and equitable learning experiences for historically underserved students. Mercedes frequently speaks at national and regional conferences on multilingual learner success, instructional coherence, belonging, and pathways to opportunity.

Mercedes received a bachelor’s degree in professional administration from Barry University. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University. Mercedes is a proud alumna of Latinos for Education.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mercedes-fonseca-m-ed-aa487ba9

Email: mercedes.fonseca@tntp.org

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an honest and vulnerable conversation with his featured guest — Veronica Ruiz.

Veronica is a proud Latina woman born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. She is the co-founder and CEO of Visionary Youth CT. Veronica is also the director of family, school, and community partnerships at Vernon Public Schools in Connecticut.

1:03 - Introduction

2:00 - My Leadership Story

25:54 - Family, School, and Community Partnerships

29:18 - Visionary Youth CT

40:03 - Youth Advocate Programs

42:46 - Our Piece of the Pie

45:33 - Latina Leader Breaking Cycles

49:51 - Capital City Education Alliance

52:27 - Guiding Principles

Veronica Ruiz understands both the challenges and the resilience that exist within underserved communities. Her experiences inspired her to dedicate her life and career to creating opportunities, resources, and safe spaces for youth and families. Veronica has over 15 years of experience in human services, youth development, education, workforce development, and nonprofit leadership. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with marginalized and underserved populations, leading initiatives centered around equity, restorative practices, trauma-informed care, youth empowerment, and family engagement.

Veronica received a bachelor’s degree in human services and a master’s degree in organizational management and leadership from Springfield College. She earned a second master’s degree in psychology from Capella University. Veronica is currently a doctoral candidate at Capella University.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/veronica-ruiz-co-founder-ceo-of-visionary-youth-18883067

Facebook: facebook.com/people/Visionary-Youth/61584126427020/

Email: VeronicaRuiz2822@gmail.com

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a passionate conversation with his featured guest — Irella Pérez.

Irella is a transformative educational leader whose 35-year career spans from instructional assistant to superintendent. She is grounded in an unwavering commitment to equity and multilingual excellence. Irella is a Latina Chinese American immigrant scholar from Nicaragua and an author who brings a powerful voice to educational leadership.

1:03 - Introduction

2:14 - My Leadership Story

35:06 - Purpose and Resilience

44:24 - CLEAR

48:23 - Principal

53:37 - Suyensita and Her Adventures

58:15 - Leading with Humanity

1:00:39 - Board of Education

1:04:53 - Guiding Principles

Dr. Irella Pérez was born and raised in Nicaragua amid war, dictatorship, and revolution, and her life has been shaped by resilience, displacement, and hope. She has served as a superintendent, school board trustee, professor, consultant, executive leader, and author. Irella is Superintendent in Residence for Renaissance Learning, where she serves as a strategic advisor advancing systems reform, transformational leadership, and public affairs.

Irella received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish literature and a master’s degree in educational administration from California State University, Long Beach. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Southern California. Irella is founder of the CALSA Hermanas Leading Network and co-founder of Athenas of Happiness.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-irella-perez-26a53036

Email: drirellaperez@yahoo.com

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com