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Leading With Impact in School PR

Women’s History Month honors trailblazers who have shaped our communities and institutions. Women are at the heart of education’s leadership, yet a bias persists. Research shows that women in education, particularly in leadership roles, still face skepticism, double standards, and systemic barriers that their male counterparts do not.

It’s time to change our perspective. Leadership is about more than titles but is also about influence, trust, and impact. Women in education are guiding their districts through a time of monumental change, guiding professional associations, and shaping the future of education. This month, we’re celebrating their work while recognizing the barriers they still face and how they can overcome them.

Lead with Trust, Not Fear

The art of leading in communications, marketing, and public relations is finding the right balance between leveraging strategic influence and cultivating sincere relationships with individuals.

Cindy Leines, Founder and CEO of CEL Marketing PR Design, puts it this way:

Leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice in the room—it’s about having the courage to speak, make meaningful connections, and bring others into the conversation. Women in school communications and education leadership navigate real barriers. Still, by leading with authenticity and trust, we can challenge the status quo and open new doors for the next generation.

Building and maintaining trust within teams and communities is a strategic approach to proactively managing and mitigating the impact of biases on collaboration and decision-making processes.

Leading Beyond Titles

Leadership doesn’t always come with a formal title. Many school communicators serve as the guiding voice of their district, shaping narratives, managing crises, and influencing public perception. Women leading state and national associations—like Celi Haga, President-elect of MinnSPRA; Trinette Marquis, APR, Executive Director of CalSPRA; Heidi Vega, APR, President of NSPRA; Erica Chandler, APR, President-elect of NSPRA; and Barbara Hunter, APR, Executive Director of NSPRA—are driving the profession forward. They advocate for school PR, partner with key education networks, mentor emerging leaders, and champion policies that promote greater equity in leadership, funding, and access.

Their leadership goes beyond storytelling. They influence decision-making at the highest levels, ensure that the voices of students, families, and educators are heard, and advocate for system-wide improvements that benefit all of education—not just school communications.

Women in School PR are:

✔️ Shaping the conversation—for their districts and national education policy.

✔️ Partnering with education leaders to push for better funding, fair policies, and inclusive leadership.

✔️ Advocating for equity in school leadership, ensuring diverse voices are represented at every level.

✔️ Mentoring and uplifting others, creating pathways for the next generation of school leaders.

School communicators are often the connective tissue between districts, families, and communities. Their influence elevates equity, collaboration, and leadership across all education.

Elevating Women in Leadership

The significance of this month goes beyond mere reflection – it calls for decisive action. It offers us a chance to reimagine the very essence of leadership, to empower women in the realm of education, and to lay the groundwork for a brighter future for our youth.

CEL has led with authenticity, trust, and purpose for over 35 years. As a Certified Minnesota Targeted Group Business, we know what it takes to navigate challenges, break barriers, and build strategic partnerships that drive meaningful change. Our work goes beyond marketing and communications; we are passionately committed to the betterment of business, family and community.

How will you lead differently this month? Whether you’re mentoring an emerging leader, collaborating with education networks, or championing equity in your organization—every step forward strengthens the path for others.