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Tomorrow's Principal
Tomorrow’s Principal is hosted by Gene Pinkard, the Director of Practice with Aspen Education. This podcast explores how our conception of the principal’s job is putting the brakes on student achievement, and how that role needs to change if schools are going to be places where all kids can thrive. It will also discuss what the new role of the principal looks like, what this means for school systems and training programs, as all of these leaders strive for racial equity in their communities. It will also introduce a new understanding of what it means to lead racial equity work in schools.
Tomorrow's Principal
Tomorrow's Principal Podcast: Don't Stop at Disruption [Live from SXSW EDU 2026]
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Disruption isn’t the point—what we build after it is what matters. On this episode of Tomorrow’s Principal, we’re sharing a live recording from SXSW EDU 2026, where we take on the overloaded buzzword and reframe it: not as chaos, but as a chance to redesign the principalship.
Hosts Gene Pinkard and Dr. Nancy Gutiérrez are joined by special guests Erika Hurtado-Valentino, Principal of Northwell School of Health Sciences in New York City Public Schools, and Dr. Alex Marrero, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, to discuss practical approaches to school leadership in times of transition, how to balance innovation and stability, and why clarity and coherence are essential to long-term change.
About the guests:
Erika Hurtado-Valentino is an educational leader with 20+ years of improving student achievement in New York City Public Schools. Now in her 12th year as a principal, she's led two high schools with CTE programs in Pre-Engineering and Culinary Arts, increasing graduation rates by 24%. She secured grants that expanded student access to college credits and internships. A doctoral candidate at St. John’s University, she holds degrees from Columbia University, Adelphi University, and Stony Brook University. She serves on CUNY City Tech’s Hospitality Management Advisory Board. As Founding Principal of the Northwell School of Health Sciences, she leads a Bloomberg-backed model preparing students for healthcare careers through early college, certification, and hands-on experience.
Dr. Alex Marrero is Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, leading Colorado’s largest district of 85,000 students. The son of a Cuban refugee and a Dominican immigrant, he is committed to expanding access, opportunity, and success for all learners. He previously served as Assistant Superintendent in New Rochelle and held leadership roles in East Ramapo and NYC Public Schools. In Denver, he's helped the district achieve its highest-ever graduation rates, increased wages for staff, opened six community hubs, and supported school improvement. A former ALAS National Administrator of the Year, 2024 Superintendent of the Year (DALI & CALAS), and a "Superintendent to Watch" (NSPRA 2022, K–12 Dive 2023) he serves as President of ALAS and advises national education and policy councils.
About the hosts:
Nancy B. Gutiérrez, Ed.L.D. is President & Lead Executive Officer of The Leadership Academy, a nonprofit that helps education leaders transform systems and unleash the power and potential of every child. The nationally recognized organization has strengthened more than 15,700 K–12 education leaders, transformed over 450 school systems, and accelerated learning for 11.9 million students and counting. Nancy holds a Doctor of Education Leadership from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and is also a graduate of San José State University, UC Davis, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. She’s a faculty member at Columbia University’s Teachers College Summer Principals Academy and a former NYU adjunct professor and Harvard Principals’ Center expert guest.
Gene Pinkard is President of Instruction Partners, a national K–12 education nonprofit that strengthens instructional leadership in schools. He manages the organization’s research and development, partnership programs, and staff support and professional growth. He was previously Director of K–12 Leadership at The Aspen Institute Education & Society Program, leading a team that supported superintendents, chief academic officers, and other leaders in deepening their learning and refining improvement strategies. Earlier, he was Chief of School Design & Continuous Improvement at DC Public Schools. He also previously served as a principal supervisor and principal. He started his career in education as a teacher in rural South Africa. He has degrees from Georgetown University & Trinity University.
To learn more about the Leadership Academy, head to https://www.leadershipacademy.org/.
To learn more about Instruction Partners, check out https://instructionpartners.org/.