This year, I’ve had the pleasure of working intimately with the Leaders in Equitable Evaluation and Diversity (LEEAD) program. As a Cohort 3 LEEAD Alum, I recall how transformative my LEEAD experience was for my professional development and growth. As I entered this new experience of revamping and teaching the culturally responsive and equitable evaluation (CREE) curriculum and later serving as the Interim Program Director, I channeled my hope and vision for the program into restructuring the experience for LEEAD Cohort 5 Scholars.

As the director of a program that trains evaluators of color to become culturally responsive evaluators and leaders, I find myself in a unique position – leading a group of emerging leaders. This role is challenging and rewarding, offering insights beyond traditional leadership paradigms. Today, I’d like to share my experiences and reflections on what it means to guide those who are themselves blossoming into equity-driven, culturally conscious leaders.

The Delicate Balance of Teaching and Listening

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead

One of the first lessons I learned in this position is the importance of balancing the will to teach or inform others and listening and centering the voices of scholars. These individuals come to our program with their own expertise, experiences, and leadership potential. My role is not to dictate but to create an environment where their talents can flourish.

I’ve found that the key lies in collaborative leadership. Instead of a top-down approach, I strive to facilitate discussions, encourage peer-to-peer learning, and create opportunities for participants to take the lead in various aspects of the program. This approach not only respects their existing knowledge but also models the kind of inclusive leadership we hope they’ll embody in their future roles. The ability to listen deeply is a powerful tool in a leader’s arsenal. It’s not just about being quiet while others speak; it’s about actively engaging, processing information, and using those insights to guide and inspire. Great leaders know that sometimes, the most impactful thing they can do is to listen.

The Continuous Journey of Learning

Perhaps the most humbling aspect of leading leaders is the recognition that I, too, am on a continuous learning journey. Every cohort brings new insights, challenging my assumptions and expanding my understanding of culturally responsive evaluation.

I’ve learned to be transparent about my own growth process, sharing both successes and missteps. This vulnerability has proven to be a powerful tool in building trust and encouraging a culture of continuous improvement among our participants.

Cultivating a Network of Change Agents

One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is witnessing the ripple effects of our program. As participants return to their organizations or move into new roles, they become agents of change, advocating for more culturally responsive practices in evaluation and leadership.

Fostering connections among participants and alumni has become a crucial part of my role. By facilitating a strong network, we’re not just training individual leaders; we’re building a community of practice that can support and amplify each other’s work long after the program ends.

The Weight of Representation

Leading a program for evaluators of color comes with an added layer of responsibility – the weight of representation. Many of our participants have faced barriers and biases in their careers, and our program often represents a rare space where they see themselves reflected in leadership.

This reality drives home the importance of not just teaching culturally responsive practices, but embodying them in every aspect of our program. It pushes me to continually examine my own biases, seek out diverse perspectives in decision-making, and advocate for systemic changes in the broader field of evaluation.

Conclusion: A Privilege and a Responsibility

Leading a group of leaders, especially in the context of culturally responsive evaluation, is both a privilege and a profound responsibility. It requires a delicate balance of guidance and humility, structure and flexibility, challenge and support.

As I continue in this role, I’m reminded daily of the potential impact of our work. We’re not just shaping individual careers; we’re contributing to a more equitable and culturally responsive approach to evaluation that can influence decisions and policies affecting communities across the world.

To all my fellow leaders out there, I encourage you to embrace the complexity of our role as LEEADers and LEEAD Alum. Continue to Listen deeply, challenge thoughtfully, and always remain open to the lessons others have to teach. In doing so, we can continue to nurture a new generation of leaders equipped to navigate our diverse and ever-changing world with empathy, wisdom, and cultural responsiveness.

All that you touch, you change. All that you change, changes you. The only lasting truth is change.
—Octavia Butler

Dr. Tanisha Tate Woodson
Interim LEEAD Director, ACE Evaluation Network Member