395. Leading Without Apology With Dr. Carrie Mugridge and Dr. Jennifer Perez Bessolo

What would change if more women stopped waiting to feel completely ready and began stepping into the leadership roles they are already capable of leading?

In this episode, Joshua Stamper is joined by Dr. Carrie Mugridge and Dr. Jennifer Perez Bessolo, coauthors of Leading Without Apology: Empowering Women in Educational Leadership, From Aspiration to Advancement. Together, they unpack the internal doubts and external barriers that can keep talented women from pursuing school and district leadership roles.

Carrie and Jennifer explore why many women remain in the classroom longer, underestimate their qualifications, and hesitate to seek advancement without a direct invitation. They also discuss imposter syndrome, the likability conundrum, the pressure to be both strong and agreeable, and the value of embracing qualities such as emotional intelligence as leadership strengths.

About Dr. Carrie Mugridge

Dr. Mugridge is a nationally recognized educational leader and women’s leadership advocate with more than 20 years of experience shaping school systems, developing leaders, and elevating women’s voices in education. As Executive Director of Learning Services for a school district, Mugridge has led districtwide initiatives that strengthened instructional quality, elevated leadership capacity, and improved student outcomes—contributing to the 2024 National ESEA Distinguished School Award for Closing the Achievement Gap, one of the nation’s highest honors. She has directed major efforts in curriculum design, MTSS implementation, federal programs, and professional learning, and she is widely known for creating supportive, high-expectation coaching systems for teachers and administrators. Dr. Mugridge’s passion for advancing women in leadership extends beyond her district. She serves as a Program Advisor for a Women in Leadership Program, where she mentors aspiring female leaders across the country. She is also a published author in the Under the Umbrella USA series and a national presenter, with sessions such as “Empowering Women in Education: Navigating Leadership & Career Pathways” and “Women in K–12 Educational Leadership: Leaning In and Lessons Learned.” Throughout her career, Dr. Mugridge has been recognized for excellence in teaching and leadership, including being named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Kansas, a Kansas Teacher of the Year Region 3 Finalist, and a U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellowship Finalist. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership, authenticity, and the belief that women thrive when they are supported, challenged, and unapologetically themselves. Now, as a consultant and women’s leadership coach, Dr. Mugridge helps emerging and aspiring leaders build confidence, develop strategic clarity, and step boldly into leadership roles. Through personalized coaching, speaking engagements, and leadership development experiences, she equips women to lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.

About Dr. Jennifer Perez Bessolo

Dr. Jennifer Perez Bessolo is the Director of the University of Kansas Educational Administration Leadership and Policy programs at both the master’s and doctoral levels. She also serves as a Professor of the Practice and Co-Director of Accreditation for the KU School of Education and Human Sciences. Dr. Bessolo earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas. With more than two decades of experience in education, her professional background spans PK–12 leadership, teaching and learning, higher education, and educational consulting. She spent 17 years serving in public education across Kansas and North Carolina before transitioning to higher education, where she has served for the past six years. Throughout her career, Dr. Bessolo has held a variety of leadership roles, including Director of Curriculum, Federal Programs, and Virtual Learning; Middle and Secondary Director; Principal; Assistant Principal; Teacher