Mastering Leadership in Uncertainty: Rise Above the Pit

About the Presenters

Dr. Paul Gordon is the Superintendent of St. Charles Community Unit School District 303, which serves approximately 12,000 students in the western suburbs of Chicago. Since joining District 303 over two years ago, he has led its transformation from a site-based organization to a systems-based model aligned with the district’s commitment statement, “Together, Building Pathways to Excellence,” and its strategic plan. Prior to his work in District 303, Dr. Gordon was the Superintendent in Wenatchee, Washington, overseeing an 8,000-student district in a diverse, rural area. He also served six years as superintendent of a district near Chicago. He began his career in a large, urban district in Colorado, where he held roles including teacher, principal, director of professional development, and chief academic officer. Throughout his career, Dr. Gordon has focused on systemwide improvement, empowering school leaders and educators to create lasting, impactful change for students and their communities.

Leslie Foster is a passionate educational leader dedicated to transforming school culture and creating opportunities for student success. With a career rooted in Title I schools, Leslie has focused her work on serving underserved and over-deserving students, ensuring equitable access to high-quality education and resources.

Before becoming Principal at Pinnacle High School, Leslie served as a Dean and STEM Coordinator and Student Achievement Coach, where she excelled in building teacher capacity, fostering high-functioning PLC teams, building exemplary and effective restorative practices, and leading schoolwide Inquiry and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) initiatives. Her leadership has driven student engagement and achievement through innovative and effective instructional practices.

Leslie has a master’s degree in education and human development, with an emphasis in teaching in diverse contexts, and brings a deep understanding of how to meet the needs of all learners, along with an expectation of equity and inclusion. Her experience spans K-12 education and collaborative partnerships with higher education organizations.

A systems-driven and transformational leader, Leslie is passionate about aligning teams, shifting mental models, and using data to inform meaningful progress. She thrives on collaborative vision work, empowering teachers, leaders, and students, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. As an international professional development facilitator, Leslie has shared her expertise to inspire and strengthen educators globally, all while remaining deeply connected to the South Thornton community.

Guided by creativity, passion, and a commitment to student achievement, Leslie believes in thinking outside the box to provide opportunities that unlock every student’s potential. Her leadership is fueled by an unwavering belief in the power of education to change lives and transform communities.

With over a decade of experience in education, Rebecca Turner is a dynamic and seasoned leader who combines a passion for innovation with a commitment to excellence. She has co-led the full-scale development of an online hybrid school, serving over 800 students across elementary, middle, and high school. From conceptual design to hiring, onboarding, and implementing systems, she played a pivotal role in creating a thriving and sustainable educational model.

A strong advocate for inquiry-based learning, Rebecca is deeply passionate about designing and facilitating professional learning experiences that empower educators and leaders to foster student-centered, engaging environments. Her work includes extensive experience supporting Title I schools in driving measurable growth and achievement by building capacity, implementing effective practices, and prioritizing equitable outcomes for all learners.

Rebecca continually strives to lead with empathy, setting high expectations while providing the support necessary for teams to excel. She believes in cultivating meaningful relationships with stakeholders to catalyze change and foster shared ownership of transformative initiatives. As Senior Director of Professional Learning, Rebecca is dedicated to helping educators and leaders unlock their potential to create impactful learning experiences.

Carrie Romero-Brugger is the Chief Design Officer at MindSpark Learning, where she drives transformative professional development connecting education and industry to advance STEM education, well-being, and instructional pedagogy. With over 26 years of experience in education, Carrie has led turnaround efforts in Title I schools, implemented innovative programs like International Baccalaureate and STEM, and cultivated practices that elevate student empowerment and achievement. Prior to her current role, Carrie served as an administrator and teacher in Colorado. She holds degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Denver. Carrie is a seasoned moderator and panel facilitator and delivered compelling presentations at Battelle, Share Fair Nation, and GlobalMindED. She co-developed the Education Accelerator, supporting school leaders to revolutionize their schools. Her equity-centered work with HUD and Secretary Carson’s team reshaped EnVision design for inclusivity. Her work with the Lakota Tribe on the Rosebud Reservation earned a Gold Anthem Award.