Bold Women Collective Backstory

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.

AI, Burnout & the Future of Teaching — with Dr. Kristen Riggs

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Kristen Riggs, CEO of Innovative EdTech Consulting, for a thought-provoking conversation about AI, teacher burnout, and the future of education. With a background in zoology, outdoor education, and curriculum design, Kristen shares her unique path into education leadership and how the pandemic sparked her research into teachers’ relationships with technology and artificial intelligence. What she discovered was surprising: the more teachers understood AI, the less likely they were to use it—driven by fear, overwhelm, and uncertainty around the future of teaching. In this conversation, we explore: * Why teachers are struggling with AI adoption * The impact of burnout and administrative overload * How personalized professional development can better support educators * The ethical challenges surrounding AI in schools * Why AI may actually help bring humanity back to teaching Kristen’s message is clear: supporting teachers starts with listening to them, understanding their challenges, and creating tools that give them more time to connect with students.

Building Safe Spaces — Leading with Love with Jessi Bushman

In this episode of The Bold Women Backstory, Jolene Levin sits down with Jessie Bushman, former Director of SEL at North Fayette Valley School District, for a heartfelt conversation about leading with love and transforming student support through social-emotional learning. What began as a need to address student behavior challenges evolved into a groundbreaking SEL program focused on meeting children’s basic needs first, building trust, and creating what Jessie calls a “Circle of Love” around every student. Jessie shares how her background in special education inspired her passion for helping children thrive, and how her district shifted from reactive discipline to proactive emotional support—creating calmer classrooms, stronger family connections, and students who genuinely love coming to school. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why behavior is a form of communication * How meeting basic needs changes student outcomes * The power of proactive social-emotional learning * What it means to create a “Circle of Love” around students * How educators can support both children and families * Why leading with love can transform school culture Jessie’s story is a powerful reminder that when students feel safe, supported, and understood, real learning can begin.