Creating Opportunity Through Connection — with Laura Alvarez

Designing Belonging — with Shailee Patel

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Shailee Patel, Director of Special Education Programs and Innovation at Novi Community Schools, for an inspiring conversation about advocacy, leadership, and reimagining what special education can be. Inspired by her cousin with Down syndrome and the challenges her family faced advocating for equal opportunities, Shailee built a career dedicated to ensuring every student has access to the support, services, and environments they deserve. She shares the story of creating one of Michigan's most innovative special education facilities—a space she affectionately called the "Taj Mahal"—designed to serve students from birth through age 26 with dignity, purpose, and a sense of belonging. In this conversation, we explore: * The power of advocacy in special education * Why equitable access matters for every student * Designing environments that support diverse needs * Building innovative programs that keep students connected to their communities * Creating a vision that transforms lives and families Shailee's message is clear: belonging doesn't happen by accident—it is intentionally designed through advocacy, opportunity, and a commitment to seeing every student's potential.

Creating Opportunity Through Connection — with Laura Alvarez

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory, Darlene Akers sits down with Laura Alvarez, Support Sales Director at KiSP, for a conversation about career pivots, technology, and finding your place in an industry you love. From growing up in Argentina and studying international trade to building a career in software and sales, Laura shares how following her curiosity and passion for people led her to the commercial interiors industry. She reflects on the importance of relationships, the need to embrace change, and how emerging technologies like AI are creating new opportunities for designers, dealers, and sales professionals. In this conversation, we explore: * Following an unexpected career path * Finding purpose in the work you do * How technology is changing the design process * The growing role of AI in the industry * Why relationships remain at the heart of success Laura's story is a reminder that sometimes the best opportunities come from saying yes to something new and trusting where the journey leads.

Purpose, Safety & Leading Through Adversity — with Jill Lemond

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Jill Lemond, Vice President of Education at Evolv Technology, for a powerful conversation about education, empathy, resilience, and creating safer school communities. Jill shares her journey from teaching English language learners and leading innovation initiatives in public education to becoming a nationally recognized voice in school safety and security. Following a tragic school shooting in her district, Jill found a renewed sense of purpose—helping schools navigate the complex challenges of safety while ensuring students continue to feel supported, connected, and able to learn. In this conversation, we explore: * The importance of empathy in education * What it means to create a culture of safety * Why relationships matter more than technology alone * Lessons learned through leadership and adversity * Balancing motherhood, purpose, and professional growth Jill’s message is clear: safer schools are built through trust, relationships, and a shared commitment to protecting and supporting every student.

Design, Sustainability & Curiosity — A Career of Impact with Jennifer Wammack

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Jennifer Wammack, Director of Outreach and Learning at BIFMA, for a conversation about design, sustainability, mentorship, and the power of staying curious. From her beginnings as a textile designer to her leadership role helping shape industry standards, Jennifer shares a career journey built on creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. She reflects on the intersections of design and sustainability, the importance of industry standards, and how curiosity has guided every stage of her professional path. In this conversation, we explore: * How a career in textiles led to industry leadership * The evolution of sustainability in commercial interiors * Why standards matter in the built environment * The value of mentorship and lifelong learning * How curiosity can open unexpected doors Jennifer’s message is simple but powerful: stay curious, keep learning, and never underestimate the impact of showing up every day with purpose.

Creating Better Spaces — Education Design & Impact with Lacey Fisher

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory, Darlene Akers sits down with Lacey Fischer, Vertical Market Activation Manager at Kimball International, to discuss educational spaces, career growth, and creating environments where students can thrive. From starting her career in customer service to becoming a leader in the education market, Lacey shares how relationship-building, curiosity, and a passion for helping schools shaped her journey. She also discusses the importance of thoughtful learning environments and how furniture, lighting, nature, and design all contribute to student success. In this conversation, we explore: * Why does customer service build strong leaders * The impact of intentional learning environments * What educators aren’t taught about designing spaces * How the ECLPS program changed her perspective * Why collaboration is key to the future of education Lacey’s message is clear: every space has the power to shape learning, connection, and student success.