March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the incredible contributions women have made throughout history and continue to make today. What began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California, in 1978 as Women’s History Week soon gained national recognition, expanding to a month-long observance in 1987. In just the past 50 years, landmark legal changes—such as outlawing housing and credit discrimination against women in 1974—have helped pave the way for greater equity. Of course, the fight for women’s rights stretches back much further, from the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, securing women’s right to vote, to the many achievements women continue to lead today.
At DSST, we celebrate Women’s History Month by recognizing the women who shape our community as they share what it means to be a woman in leadership.
Nella Garcia Urban: DSST CEO
"To be a woman leader is to represent our ancestral line of women who never had the opportunity."
Travonda Favorite: School Director at DSST: Northeast Elevate HS
"Being a woman in leadership is a sense of rejuvenation -- breaking the barriers and stereotypes that have previously existed and showing the world what is possible!"
Lauren Reibstein: School Director at DSST: Montview HS
"Being a woman in leadership to me is standing in my authenticity and showing up the way that aligns with my integrity."
Tamara Ghandour: Chief People Officer
"Being a woman in leadership means honoring the trailblazers before me while fearlessly forging new paths for those who follow, and using our unique voices to redefine success on our own terms, not by the rules of the past."
De'Nicea Jacquet: Human Capital Director
"Being a woman in leadership is serving as a role model and inspiring others. It is also using my voice to forge collaboration and better ways of thinking."
Eva Rodrigues : School Director at DSST: Green Valley Ranch MS
"A woman in leadership has the honor of carrying the legacy and learning from women who came before her to courageously and, as her authentic self. Then, empower women in her present-day to achieve unimaginable possibilities for our world in community with women still to come."
Jenny Trainer: School Director at DSST: Conservatory Green MS
"I am proud to be a woman in leadership and to be a model for my stepdaughter and daughter. I come from generations of strong women who broke barriers and am grateful for the model that was provided to me."
Briana Mesa: School Director at DSST: Northeast Elevate MS
"Being a woman in leadership is reclaiming the power that has been historically kept from us and being a model for my daughter and girls at my school so that they can see cycles being broken and barriers being shattered."
MJ O'Malley: Director of Operations
"I am proud to be a woman in leadership. I am the product of strong women who did not have leadership titles - my mom and my grandma - but who taught me about leading with responsibility, integrity, and courage. They demonstrated overcoming challenges and defying expectations in a society that didn't always accept they could. I am who I am today because of their love and leadership, and I believe it is important to continue their legacy by being an example for others and fostering hope in all of our possibilities."
Kat Van Wyhe: Managing Director
"Being a woman in leadership is fulfilling the dreams of my mother and her four sisters who did not have the same opportunities that I have been privileged to have. It's also modeling for my two sons that women belong and thrive in leadership roles."
Caroline "G" Gaudiani: Director of Organizational Effectiveness
"As a woman in leadership, I have the privilege and platform to model that women don't need to follow a mold or fit a stereotype. We can be strong and loving, courageous and in need of support, confident and vulnerable, gritty and emotional. Young people of all genders learn from the women leaders around them that there is no one thing that makes you a leader. Our complexity as people makes us unique, and uniquely capable of leading others."
