In this episode of Lead Her Higher, host Emily MacLean speaks with international education leader Dana Watts about what it truly means to open doors for others in leadership.

Dana reflects on her journey through international schools in Hong Kong, Delhi, and Bangkok, and her current work with International School Services (ISS), where she focuses on learning, research, and leadership development across the global education community. Throughout the conversation, she shares why great leaders don’t just hold the spotlight - they pass the microphone. Dana also shares powerful reflections on mentorship, authenticity, and a message every aspiring leader should hear: don’t be the side dish - be the entrée.

Together, Emily and Dana explore the mentors who shaped Dana’s path, the importance of meeting people where they are, and how intentional leadership can create opportunities for others to grow. They also discuss the realities of leadership pathways in international education, why titles and visibility still influence opportunity, and how schools can better recognize and nurture leadership talent already within their communities.

This episode is a bold reminder that leadership is about opening doors, amplifying voices, and lifting others higher.

Key Takeaways

• Mentorship matters - one leader seeing your potential can change the trajectory of your career.
• Leadership begins with meeting people where they are and helping them see what’s possible.
• In education leadership pathways, titles and visibility still influence opportunity more than they should.
• Women in leadership don’t need to blend in; they should step forward, own their voice, and take up space.
• Schools must intentionally build leadership pipelines that elevate diverse voices and perspectives.
• The future of education will require reimagining traditional systems, especially as technology and student expectations evolve.

Listen to Dana’s story and be inspired to Lead Her Higher.

Key Words: Leadership, Women in Education, Future of Learning, System Thinking, Diversity, Inclusion, Professional Development, International Education

In this episode of Lead Her Higher, host Emily MacLean sits down with Kath Murdoch, internationally respected educator, author, and advocate for inquiry-based education.

Kath reflects on her journey from classroom teacher to global thought collaborator in education, while challenging traditional definitions of leadership. She shares why she does not see leadership as a title or destination, but as a way of being, grounded in curiosity, vulnerability, collaboration, and a deep commitment to learning.

Together, they explore how inquiry shapes not only student engagement but also leadership practice and professional growth. Kath speaks candidly about navigating uncertainty, leading through influence rather than authority, and the responsibility experienced educators have to lift others along the way.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is not positional - influence can exist without formal authority.
• Inquiry is not just a teaching strategy; it is a stance toward learning and leadership.
• Curiosity and vulnerability are essential for building trust and strong school cultures.
• Women in leadership often lead through collaboration, relationships, and relational trust.
• Professional learning must mirror the inquiry we want to see in classrooms.
• Listening deeply is one of the most powerful and most challenging leadership skills.
• Experienced educators have a responsibility to nurture and elevate emerging leaders.

This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership lives in classrooms, in staff rooms, and in everyday acts of integrity and care. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or educational changemaker, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with courage, cultivate curiosity, and always keep learning.

Listen now to Kath’s journey and be inspired to Lead Her Higher.

Keywords: leadership, education, women in leadership, student-centred, teaching, curriculum, self-care, collaboration, inquiry, professional learning, curiosity, influence

In this episode of Lead Her Higher, Emily MacLean sits down with Tanya De Hoog, Junior School Principal at Southridge School, to explore an unexpected leadership journey shaped by courage, mentorship, and deep commitment to student-centred learning.

Tanya reflects on stepping into leadership early, developing her voice, and leading with what she calls “soft, elegant armour”, balancing empathy, decisiveness, and authenticity. From curriculum passion to navigating crisis, mentorship, and finding joy outside of work, this conversation offers an honest look at the human side of school leadership and the power of imagining possibilities for ourselves and others.

Key takeaways:

• Leadership journeys are often unexpected - growth happens when you say yes before you feel ready.
• Confidence with adults often develops later than confidence with students - mentorship matters.
• Trust is built through transparency, especially during moments of uncertainty or crisis.
• Collaboration strengthens decisions, but clarity and decisiveness are still essential.
• Compassionate leadership focuses on listening, presence, and honouring teachers’ agency.
• Mentorship, both giving and receiving, is critical in developing women leaders.
• Personal well-being fuels sustainable leadership - joy, hobbies, and boundaries matter.
• Leaders don’t have to do everything perfectly. Permission to pause is powerful.
• Leading higher begins with self-awareness and imagining possibilities for yourself and others.

Listen now to Tanya’s journey and be inspired to Lead Her Higher.

Keywords: leadership, education, junior school, women in leadership, student-centred, mentorship, confidence, teaching, curriculum, self-care