Women Leading Ed Welcomes Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora to Advisory Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2026
Washington, DC — Women Leading Ed (WLE), the nation’s largest bipartisan nonprofit network dedicated to advancing women in education leadership, announced today that Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, Superintendent of Tomball ISD in Texas, has joined its Advisory Board. Composed of top state and district leaders, the Advisory Board guides Women Leading Ed in its mission to cultivate bold, visionary leaders who are ready to tackle the toughest challenges states and districts face and make a lasting impact.
Dr. Salazar-Zamora is widely recognized for her leadership, student-centered vision, and commitment to building strong school communities. Her appointment further strengthens Women Leading Ed’s growing national network of influential education leaders shaping the future of public education.
“Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora is a visionary leader and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Women leading Ed Advisory Board,” said Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer, Women Leading Ed founder. “Across her nearly decade-long tenure at Tomball ISD, her big bets and bold investments have powered incredible progress, transforming teaching and learning in her system and elevating student outcomes. Her experience and perspective will make our network stronger and advance our critical work.”
Women Leading Ed works to strengthen and sustain the pipeline of women in education leadership through leadership development, research, storytelling, and national community-building.
“I am honored to join the Women Leading Ed Advisory Board and contribute to a network that is investing so intentionally in the future of education leadership,” said Dr. Salazar-Zamora. “The work WLE is doing to connect, support, and elevate leaders across the country is deeply important for our profession and for the students and communities we serve.”
Dr. Salazar-Zamora joins the Advisory Board as Women Leading Ed continues its rapid growth, with more than 600 members across all 50 states serving in systems that support almost half of the nation’s public school students. Fellow Advisory Board members include:
Kirsten Baesler – Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education
Dr. Susana Córdova – Commissioner, Colorado Department of Education
Dr. Margaret Crespo – Superintendent-in-Residence, ILO Group and former superintendent
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis – Superintendent, Cherokee County School District, GA
Dr. Susan Enfield – Executive Director, University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership and former superintendent
Dr. LaTonya Goffney - Superintendent of Aldine Independent School District, TX
Angélica Infante-Green – Commissioner, Rhode Island Department of Education
Emily Hartnett, Executive Director, Women Leading Ed
Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell – CEO, Oakland Thrives
Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer – Founder, Women Leading Ed
Dr. LaTanya McDade – Superintendent, Prince William County Public Schools, VA
Dr. Denise Watts – Superintendent, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, GA
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More about Dr. Julia Rafal Baer, Founder, Women Leading Ed
Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer, is a distinguished leader in education with a formidable two-decade career marked by creating and leading initiatives that have profoundly impacted nearly every student nationwide. Her leadership in founding and implementing transformative programs such as Women Leading Ed, the Forum for Educational Leadership, Future Chiefs, and Women in Leadership has shaped the landscape of education leadership across the United States. Dr. Rafal-Baer serves on numerous boards, including her two-time appointment to the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Her work has been spotlighted by leading media outlets, and she is frequently invited to speak at national forums, legislative bodies, and educational conferences across the country.
More about Women Leading Ed
Women Leading Ed (WLE) is the largest national bipartisan nonprofit network of women in education leadership. WLE is committed to supporting and advancing women in education leadership through research, advocacy, and engagement with women at every stage of their leadership journeys. Women Leading Ed is taking on the big challenges facing the field and building a dynamic network within which leaders collaborate. Women Leading Ed is committed to identifying, developing and sustaining the next generation of leadership and shaping the public dialogue about education leadership more broadly using research and storytelling.
