Empowering School Leaders to Inspire, Drive Impactful Change and Thrive in Their Roles Today and Tomorrow
Our mission is to support school leaders in creating inclusive, high-performing learning environments that foster growth and excellence for all students.
Great Schools Start with Great Leaders
The foundation of every amazing school is strong leadership. While great teaching drives student learning, it’s powerful leadership that creates lasting change.
Unfortunately, too many education leaders don’t get the support they need to grow.
At School Leader Lab, we believe every leader deserves the chance to become their best. Our programs bring leaders together to learn from each other and build skills that make real differences in schools.
The Core Values that Guide Us
Own Your Leadership Journey
We start with self-awareness. Great leaders understand their purpose, take full responsibility for their growth, and focus on getting real results for students.
Bring Your Whole, Best Self
Clear and kind communication builds strong teams. We celebrate growth through specific praise and aren’t afraid to be vulnerable along the way.
Center Liberation in Education
We honor different backgrounds and actively work to address unfair systems. Our leaders take real steps to create fair and inclusive environments in their schools.
Better Together
We believe in teamwork. We build on each other’s strengths, work together to solve problems, and always look for ways to grow. Treating everyone with respect creates a strong community.
From Vision to Impact
2017
School Leader Lab began in 2017 to fill a big gap in leadership training for DC public and charter schools. Founders Amanda Borden and Tatiana Epanchin started the DC Developing Leaders Initiative (DCDLI) with EdFuel to create a pipeline of talented leaders for local schools.
2018
In 2018, DCDLI became School Leader Lab and launched its first 18-month program with 20 principals and assistant principals.
2022
Erica Beal became our Executive Director in 2022, expanding our programs to support even more types of leaders. We grew beyond DC to include schools in Maryland and Virginia.
2023
By 2023, we launched new partnerships with DC Public Schools and Teach for America. In 2024, we expanded our work with DCPS and grew our partnership with Teach for America in the Mississippi Delta region.
2025
In 2025, we’re starting a new multi-year partnership with Richmond Public Schools.
We’ve worked with nearly 500 school leaders across 175 schools, touching the lives of approximately 300,000 students!
Recognition for Our Work
Yield Giving Award
We received a $2 million award from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving Open Call!
Nonprofit Leader of the Year
Our Executive Director, Erica Beal, was named a Nonprofit Leader of the Year by the Greater Washington Community Foundation in 2023.
2025 Pahara Fellowship
In 2025, Executive Director, Erica Beal, and our Lead Partner, David Ayala, were selected as part of the newest cohort of the highly selective Pahara Fellowship.
Our Theory of Change
Education leaders at every level of the pipeline will have the necessary development and support to be inspirational people leaders who champion rigorous learning, build schools where everyone belongs, and drive impact and change year over year.
What We Do
Delivering a comprehensive PD experience to leaders at multiple levels of the pipeline through cohorts, 1:1 coaching, and tailored technical assistance.
What Changes
- School leadership pipelines will become increasingly coherent in their approach to leadership.
- Schools will grow and strengthen sustainable leadership pipelines that support retention and career advancement for leaders in education.
- Leaders will remain in their leadership roles for longer, enabling them to set and pursue big goals to transform their schools over time.
- Environments where everyone belongs are.
What Lasts
- Increased retention of teachers and staff.
- Improved student outcomes.
- A community of School Leader Lab alumni with shared language, skills, and purpose will serve as leaders in schools at every level in the pipeline.