We are leaders…we are women…we are wives…we are mothers…we are daughters…we are teachers…

We are bold… we are strong…we are confident…we are authentic…we are effective…we are kind…

I think women’s advancement in leadership is a pivotal issue of our time. Making sense of how we lead and why we lead while balancing family remains a core external and internal struggle for women leaders.

That is the WHY of WELV… How do we close the gender gap in educational leadership in those positions with the highest salaries? How do we support the women who are leading? How do we ensure that we have women leaders who can follow those who now lead?

As WELV moves forward from a fabulous 20^th Anniversary Annual Conference, I am challenged as your Executive Director to move the needle on all these issues of women in leadership. I am challenged to serve those who need support as leaders and to offer growth opportunities for those who aspire to move their leadership in a new direction. I am invigorated by the growth of WELV as a community of networked leaders. I am inspired by you and your passion for the work you do each day.

Planning for the 21^st Annual Conference is underway. The Region 7 WELV Conference is scheduled for October 18. Our 41 women superintendents leading in Virginia will gather at the Virginia Association of School Superintendents Conference for our annual WELV reception. While all this happens at the state and regional levels, our Ambassadors and WELV Affiliates are busy creating networks at the local level that embrace the mission and goals of WELV.

I find joy in serving as your Executive Director. As I enter the twilight of my wonderful career as a teacher and leader, I work each day to make the world a better
place as I see the timing for women to step into leadership couldn’t be better. Let’s together move the needle for women leaders in Virginia!

Elaine Fogliani, Ph.D.
afogliani@aol.com