Join host Pablo Muñoz for a marvelous conversation with his featured guest — Pierre Orbe.

Pierre is a first-generation American who was born to Ecuadorian parents. He is the New York State Principal of the Year, as well as the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) National Principal of the Year for 2025. Pierre is a transformative leader and doctoral researcher who is preparing to serve as a superintendent committed to unlocking the potential of every student.

1:03 - Introduction

2:08 - My Leadership Story

40:15 - DeWitt Clinton High School

57:25 - The Price of Leadership

1:03:01 - Earning Your Way

1:09:00 - Principal of the Year

1:14:36 - Ideas, Listening, and Loyalty

1:23:23 - Developmental Assets Framework

1:33:50 - Guiding Principles

Pierre Orbe was born and raised in New Jersey and has devoted his life to transforming education through courage, faith, and purpose. His passion for education began with his older brother, who is on the autism spectrum, and a defining childhood moment when his mother refused to accept a teacher’s claim that her son would never amount to anything—a moment that shaped Pierre’s belief that every child deserves to be seen and supported. Pierre is the principal of DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx—once considered one of the most troubled and dangerous schools in New York City Public Schools.

Pierre earned a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology from Drew University. He received a master’s degree in science education from New York University as a Goldman Sachs Fellow. Pierre is pursuing his doctorate at Russell Sage College and finalizing his first book, The Price of Leadership, a memoir on the resilience, sacrifice, and integrity required to lead with purpose.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pierre-orbe-453b31a

Email: porbe@schools.nyc.gov

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com

Join host Pablo Muñoz for an extraordinary conversation with his featured guest — Karla Hernández-Mats.

Karla is a proud Miami, Florida native and first-generation American of Honduran descent. She is an American Federation of Teachers (AFT) vice president and past president of United Teachers of Dade. Karla was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Florida in 2022.

1:03 - Introduction

1:56 - My Leadership Story

30:33 - Educated. We Stand

33:58 - AFT Vice President

37:15 - High-Profile Politics

40:31 - United Teachers of Dade

43:14 - Latina Leaders

47:28 - Kids are Not Widgets

50:14 - Passing the Baton

52:40 - Guiding Principles

Karla Hernández-Mats is the chairwoman and president of Educated. We Stand, a national, non-partisan organization dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of public education. She remains deeply involved in her community, actively volunteering and supporting humanitarian missions overseas. Karla has been nationally recognized for her leadership, including being honored by Miami Today’s Achiever Series in 2019 for advancing public education throughout Miami-Dade County.

Karla has been active on numerous boards, including the Florida Education Association Governance Board and Executive Cabinet, the United Way Board of Miami, the Florida AFL-CIO’s executive board, the Children’s Trust’s executive board, and the Education Fund’s executive board. She is the chairperson of the AFT’s Women’s Rights Committee. Karla frequently addresses national groups on the challenges educators face and is an advocate for immigration reform and children’s rights.

Karla earned a bachelor’s degree in emotionally handicapped education from Florida International University. She received a master’s degree in business management from St. Thomas University. Karla spent over a decade as a classroom teacher, earning recognition as the 2010 Teacher of the Year at Hialeah Middle School in Florida.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karla-hernandez-mats-665521203

Website: aft.org/about/leadership/karla-hernandez-mats

Facebook: facebook.com/karla.hernandez2022

Instagram: instagram.com/karlahernandezmats/

Email: karlamats@icloud.com

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com

Join host Pablo Muñoz for a meaningful conversation with his featured guest — Elena Fabunan.

Elena was born in Tijuana, Mexico to a Filipino father and Mexican mother. She championed equity, trauma-informed practices, and newcomer student success during her 35 years as a bilingual teacher, counselor, and principal. Elena is currently a coach, mentor, and advocate, ensuring that every child feels seen, safe, and unstoppable.

1:03 - Introduction

2:16 - My Leadership Story

16:24 - Principal

22:57 - Advocating for Newcomer Students

26:46 - NVALAS

31:12 - Leading with Corazón

32:01 - Trauma-Informed Leadership

32:52 - Mindful Social-Emotional Leadership

34:08 - Guiding Principles

Elena Fabunan carries the resilience of her immigrant roots into every part of her work. She is a retired high school principal who worked in the Clark County School District in Nevada and the Los Angeles Unified School District in California. Elena dedicated her career to advancing educational equity, student well-being, and culturally responsive leadership. She serves on the boards of the Nevada Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (NVALAS) and the Vegas Vista Academy Charter School. Elena is passionate about developing future leaders and inspiring others to lead with courage, compassion, and authenticity.

Elena earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. She received a master’s degree in educational counseling from the University of Phoenix, Las Vegas. Elena obtained a second master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elena-fabunan-53354095

Website: nvalas.org/

Email: mexipina.ef@gmail.com

Latino Leaders is an award-winning podcast that was named a Silver Winner in the 4th Annual Signal Awards.

Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.

Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com

Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com