Meet the Team

Alejandra Barbosa
Executive Director

Year Joined: She joined in 2016 as the first official PIC team member

What about leadership development and supporting principals resonates with you most? 
A: I was first drawn to serving principals because they reminded me of the CEO’s and leadership teams I served in my prior life as a management consultant, when I would advise private sector leaders on their strategy and organizational priorities.  Now that I’ve worked closely with so many principals, I am continually re-inspired by their passion for serving students. I am continually humbled by their servant leadership and grateful that I get to work alongside them.

What is something you have learned or taken away from PIC’s sessions and core content areas?
A: There have been so many great sessions and learnings for me over the years, as I get to also be a student alongside the principals as we learn from each of the talented facilitators and content experts we bring in.  But one of my favorites is the idea that “So goes the leader, so goes the organization.”  This reminds me to always create an authentic and engaging learning experience for the principals, because they drive the success of a school.  If we don’t support them to have greater balance in their life, they cannot carry on this important work.

What has been the most impactful to the way you lead / in your work?
A: Our focus on design thinking (aka human centered design) reminds principals to focus on the human elements of our work, because at the end of the day, we are serving beautiful children, who are diverse in their needs.  This then reminds me that we need to serve the human leaders…for me, that translates to ensuring our PIC sessions are a safe, trusted and engaging space to learn. If they can’t be their authentic selves and trust that we have the best intentions, then they can’t be vulnerable and push their leadership growth. 

How would you define equity for public education?
A: I believe equity for public education requires that we provide high-quality learning to all students in a way that meets their unique needs and values the skills and capacities they bring.  All our students, regardless of skin color or income level, have strengths and assets from their diverse backgrounds and our education system should empower all students to use education as the launching point to thrive as adults. 

What three words would your community, family or friends use to describe you?
A: Compassionate, driven, resilient

What is your favorite DFW restaurant?
A: Cane Rosso for family dinner - my older two kids love their pizza
Gemma for date night – my husband and I like to snag an early dinner at the bar, so we can still get to bed early enough to be ready for the kids the next morning!

What educator (school leader, teacher, etc.) influenced or inspired you and why? 
A: My mom wasn’t a formal educator but she transformed her own trajectory and that of my family by instilling in us an incredibly high value in education.  She emigrated from Mexico as a young girl and along with my dad, was tireless in learning how to navigate the education system here.  So, while I’m grateful for many wonderful teachers and school leaders, my mom remains the most influential teacher to me, guiding me in how to be kind, hard-working and committed to excellence.