COVID-10 Update (3/27/20): The Sisterhood Symposium is still scheduled as planned. We will continue to monitor the situation and with the Almansor Court to determine if any changes need to be made.

Our Voices are Vital!

Although women are underrepresented in all areas of school leadership, more women today are finding ways to prepare for and take advantage of positions in leadership.

The Sisterhood Leadership Symposium, co-sponsored by ACSA, CAAASA and CALSA, is an inclusive space that brings together women in the education profession, women in leadership positions, and women leaders seeking to advance their career for a one-day event focusing on leadership, diversity, and empowerment. It is designed to honor and value the diverse and rich strengths that make us bold and courageous leaders for the students and communities we serve. Session content addresses relevant topics within the education field and provides practical tools and resources for attendees to implement at work right away.

Symposium goals:

• Raise the voices of women in the profession
• Share and promote work-life balance of women
• Explore pathways to leadership
• Provide educational learning opportunities related to an equity-driven culture
• Understand the importance of an Executive Presence

Register Now

May 16, 2020
Almansor Court, Alhambra, CA

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Registration Fees:

ACSA/CALSA Member: $100.00
Non Member: $115.00

Ticketed Event

Pre-Symposium Networking Dinner: $35.00

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Call for Proposals

Interested in Presenting at the Symposium? Submit your proposal now. Last day to submit your proposal is Friday, March 20, 2020.

Submit Proposal

Almansor Court

700 S. Almansor
St. Alhambra, CA 91801

Nestled near the San Gabriel Mountains, Almansor Court has a variety of meeting rooms for an incredible event. Their scenic golf course and lakeside location is the perfect place to hold the Sisterhood Leadership Symposium.

Friday

5:30 – 6:00 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Networking
6:00 – 7:30 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dinner/Panel Discussion
7:30 – 8:00 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Group Dancing

Saturday

7:15 – 7:55 am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Check-In/Networking/Breakfast
7:55 – 8:50 am . . . . . . . . . .Welcome/Keynote Dr. Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana
9:00 – 10:00 am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Breakout Session 1
10:00 – 11:10 am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Breakout Session 2
11:20 am – 12:20 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Breakout Session 3
12:30 – 2:30 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lunch and Panel Discussion
2:30 – 3:30 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Networking/World Cafe

Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana

Thelma Meléndez is a successful educational leader with an exceptional 38-year career. This includes two years in the United States Department of Education, where she served as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. She served as Superintendent of Schools of both Pomona Unified and Santa Ana Unified School Districts. Her final senior appointment was as the State Administrator / Superintendent in the Inglewood Unified School District. Her recent experience includes serving as Chief Advisor to Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, on his Education and Workforce Development program. At LAUSD she served as Chief Executive Officer in the Office of Educational Services. While at LAUSD for a time she oversaw eight divisions of this large district. Dr. Meléndez’ foundation experience includes serving as Program Manager for the Stupski Foundation, and Director of School & Family Initiatives in the Los Angeles Annenberg Metropolitan Project (LAAMP). Her school site experience included serving as elementary principal and teaching at the intermediate, elementary, and adult education levels. Dr. Meléndez earned a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California with a focus on Learning, Language, and Literacy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has been awarded an Honorary Doctoral degree from Pepperdine University. Beyond this honorary degree, in 2012 she received a USC Alumni Merit Award. She was named in 2011 National Hispanic Woman of the Year by the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, and California State Superintendent of the Year in 2009. Hispanic Business Magazine named Dr. Meléndez Woman of the Year in 2010, while Hispanic magazine named her Latina of Excellence in 2007. California Governor Brown appointed her to be Trustee of the California State University.