Dr. Kenneth Magdaleno is the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Leadership, Equity, and Research (CLEAR). CLEAR’s primary goal is the development of social justice educational leaders through mentoring using Paulo Freire’s Praxis, or “Intentional Activism.” Other goals include addressing discipline and equity issues throughout the educational system while researching the impact of positive leadership models on underrepresented groups. Dr. Magdaleno earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA and also holds a master’s degree in counseling and guidance and a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from California Lutheran University. His primary research interests are in areas of equity, critical race theory, social justice, leadership mentoring, and developing educational leaders of color.
Dr. Mahmoud Suleiman is a professor of teacher education at California State University, Bakersfield. He earned his Ph.D. from Arizona State University in 1993. He previously taught at the Maricopa Community College District, AZ; Arizona State University, Tempe; and Fort Hays State University, KS. He joined CSUB in 1999 and has taught a variety of credential and graduate courses in the areas of multiculturalism, reading/literacy, action research, instructional leadership, second language acquisition, standard-based education reform, among others. He also published extensively in some of these areas. His current research foci include equity and social justice, cultural proficiency and multicultural literacy, and global education initiatives among others. During his tenure at CSUB, he served as director of the multiple subject credential program, chair of the teacher education department, and chair of advanced educational studies. He is a Fulbright Scholar (2009/2010) and completed his residency at the Bahrain Teachers College, University of Bahrain, Bahrain, as well as Fulbright Scholar (2016/2017) at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Teachers’ Training, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
Noni Mendoza Reis is a first-generation college graduate from a farmworker family. She is Professor Emerita in the Department of Educational Leadership at San Jose State University where she served as the first Latina department chair. Her scholarship is focused on justice-centered approaches to leadership preparation, effective education for marginalized students, and women of color in education leadership. Before her role in academia, Dr. Reis was a bilingual mentor teacher, elementary school principal and principal coach. She is an editor for the CAPEA Journal of Administration and Supervision; Guest Editor-Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Special Issue Journal Winter 2024 and Guest Editor, Curriculum, Pedagogy and Inquiry, Winter 2025. She is a member of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Mentoring Mosaic committees for the International Council of Professors of Education Leadership (ICPEL). She serves on the board of the California Association of Professors of Educational Leadership (CAPEA) Board. Dr. Reis’ most recent scholarship includes Co-Editor of the book, Baila Conmigo: Mentoring Latinas as School Leaders (Forthcoming August 2023).
Craig Greenwood, Former Vice President of Partnerships and Alliances for Illuminate Education, is a senior sales & business development leader with over 30 years of experience working with organizations that serve educators and students. His work experience includes executive level positions at Apple, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Panasonic, and most recently, Illuminate Education. He has been recognized for excellence in building alliances with key school districts and supporting associations through team collaboration and leadership. Craig currently serves as an advisor to Horizon Education.
Working at the intersection of family, education and community, Callahn excels at high-level business development and strategic decision making. She is recognized for her advocacy and outreach in the areas of early childhood, school readiness, parent engagement, and community partnerships in education. With more than 20 years of experience, she understands the needs of educators, parents, and children alike, having produced high-quality programming for Pre-K through the university level. Amy was a classroom teacher in California, Texas, and Hawaii. Today, she is the mother of two daughters, serves as a volunteer for a variety of education-based nonprofit organizations, and is a frequent presenter at regional and national education conferences. Callahan is the first Asian American Board Trustee for Ventura USD, inaugural Renaissance Inclusion Council Leader and inaugural McKinsey Asian executive leader member. Callahan is also a high-performing business executive and leader with a private-equity-held (Blackstone/Francisco Partners) educational technology company.
Dr. Stephen Morris has spent over 20 years in public education as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, in traditional public schools, charter schools, and private schools. Dr. Morris was the national Vice President for World Impact, Inc. and co-founded a private school in South Central Los Angeles for resource-deprived inner-city children. Dr. Morris is the co-founder and CEO of the Civic Education Center, Inc. The Civic Education Center focuses on training students and teachers in the art of civic dialogue and relevant civic service-learning projects. His experience and education have qualified him as a highly sought-after speaker addressing race and American Democracy. Dr. Morris authored School choice, segregation, and equity: California’s charter schools’ missions, markets, and voices of charter school leaders of color. Dr. Morris’s research and publications include: -School choice, segregation, and equity: California’s charter schools’ missions, markets, and voices of charter school leaders of color. -The Higher Education Aspirations of Latino Males.
With a robust background in educational counseling and leadership, Dr. Rodriguez’s educational leadership tenure has centered around empowering educators and advancing community engagement, and nurturing Latina Leadership. Serving as both professor and Academic Program director, her efforts have been dedicated to shaping future educational leaders and school counselors and refining adult education methodologies.
Dr. Rodriguez’s consultancy work leverages this expertise, focusing on strategic planning and organizational leadership to enhance educational outcomes, while advancing Latina leadership. Her approach prioritizes cultural responsiveness and emotional intelligence, ensuring that the programs she develops resonate deeply within diverse communities and drive meaningful change.
Board of Directors & Staff
Kenneth Magdaleno, Ed.D- Founder/CEO
Dr. Kenneth Magdaleno is the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Leadership, Equity, and Research (CLEAR). CLEAR’s primary goal is the development of social justice educational leaders through mentoring using Paulo Freire’s Praxis, or “Intentional Activism.” Other goals include addressing discipline and equity issues throughout the educational system while researching the impact of positive leadership models on underrepresented groups. Dr. Magdaleno earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA and also holds a master’s degree in counseling and guidance and a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from California Lutheran University. His primary research interests are in areas of equity, critical race theory, social justice, leadership mentoring, and developing educational leaders of color.
Mahmoud Suleiman, Ph.D.
Dr. Mahmoud Suleiman is a professor of teacher education at California State University, Bakersfield. He earned his Ph.D. from Arizona State University in 1993. He previously taught at the Maricopa Community College District, AZ; Arizona State University, Tempe; and Fort Hays State University, KS. He joined CSUB in 1999 and has taught a variety of credential and graduate courses in the areas of multiculturalism, reading/literacy, action research, instructional leadership, second language acquisition, standard-based education reform, among others. He also published extensively in some of these areas. His current research foci include equity and social justice, cultural proficiency and multicultural literacy, and global education initiatives among others. During his tenure at CSUB, he served as director of the multiple subject credential program, chair of the teacher education department, and chair of advanced educational studies. He is a Fulbright Scholar (2009/2010) and completed his residency at the Bahrain Teachers College, University of Bahrain, Bahrain, as well as Fulbright Scholar (2016/2017) at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Teachers’ Training, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
Noni Reis, Ed.D.
Noni Mendoza Reis is a first-generation college graduate from a farmworker family. She is Professor Emerita in the Department of Educational Leadership at San Jose State University where she served as the first Latina department chair. Her scholarship is focused on justice-centered approaches to leadership preparation, effective education for marginalized students, and women of color in education leadership. Before her role in academia, Dr. Reis was a bilingual mentor teacher, elementary school principal and principal coach. She is an editor for the CAPEA Journal of Administration and Supervision; Guest Editor-Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Special Issue Journal Winter 2024 and Guest Editor, Curriculum, Pedagogy and Inquiry, Winter 2025. She is a member of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Mentoring Mosaic committees for the International Council of Professors of Education Leadership (ICPEL). She serves on the board of the California Association of Professors of Educational Leadership (CAPEA) Board. Dr. Reis’ most recent scholarship includes Co-Editor of the book, Baila Conmigo: Mentoring Latinas as School Leaders (Forthcoming August 2023).
Craig Greenwood
mcgreenwd@gmail.com
Craig Greenwood, Former Vice President of Partnerships and Alliances for Illuminate Education, is a senior sales & business development leader with over 30 years of experience working with organizations that serve educators and students. His work experience includes executive level positions at Apple, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Panasonic, and most recently, Illuminate Education. He has been recognized for excellence in building alliances with key school districts and supporting associations through team collaboration and leadership. Craig currently serves as an advisor to Horizon Education.
Amy Callahan
Working at the intersection of family, education and community, Callahn excels at high-level business development and strategic decision making. She is recognized for her advocacy and outreach in the areas of early childhood, school readiness, parent engagement, and community partnerships in education. With more than 20 years of experience, she understands the needs of educators, parents, and children alike, having produced high-quality programming for Pre-K through the university level. Amy was a classroom teacher in California, Texas, and Hawaii. Today, she is the mother of two daughters, serves as a volunteer for a variety of education-based nonprofit organizations, and is a frequent presenter at regional and national education conferences. Callahan is the first Asian American Board Trustee for Ventura USD, inaugural Renaissance Inclusion Council Leader and inaugural McKinsey Asian executive leader member. Callahan is also a high-performing business executive and leader with a private-equity-held (Blackstone/Francisco Partners) educational technology company.
Stephen Morris, Ed.D
Dr. Stephen Morris has spent over 20 years in public education as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, in traditional public schools, charter schools, and private schools. Dr. Morris was the national Vice President for World Impact, Inc. and co-founded a private school in South Central Los Angeles for resource-deprived inner-city children. Dr. Morris is the co-founder and CEO of the Civic Education Center, Inc. The Civic Education Center focuses on training students and teachers in the art of civic dialogue and relevant civic service-learning projects. His experience and education have qualified him as a highly sought-after speaker addressing race and American Democracy. Dr. Morris authored School choice, segregation, and equity: California’s charter schools’ missions, markets, and voices of charter school leaders of color. Dr. Morris’s research and publications include: -School choice, segregation, and equity: California’s charter schools’ missions, markets, and voices of charter school leaders of color. -The Higher Education Aspirations of Latino Males.
Sonia Rodriguez, Ph.D
With a robust background in educational counseling and leadership, Dr. Rodriguez’s educational leadership tenure has centered around empowering educators and advancing community engagement, and nurturing Latina Leadership. Serving as both professor and Academic Program director, her efforts have been dedicated to shaping future educational leaders and school counselors and refining adult education methodologies.
Dr. Rodriguez’s consultancy work leverages this expertise, focusing on strategic planning and organizational leadership to enhance educational outcomes, while advancing Latina leadership. Her approach prioritizes cultural responsiveness and emotional intelligence, ensuring that the programs she develops resonate deeply within diverse communities and drive meaningful change.
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