Each year, the CoSN Women in IT Breakfast, open to all, stands out as one of the most welcoming events of the CoSN annual conference—and this year was no exception. The gathering brought together a community of experienced and aspiring edtech leaders—including CTOs, CIOs, and IT professionals from across the country—for a morning of strategy, insight, and authentic connection.
At its core, the breakfast focused on the human side of leadership. Attendees explored questions such as: How do we sustain ourselves while leading through constant change? How can we grow professionally without compromising personal wellness? These honest discussions sparked community, reflection, and mutual support across roles, regions, and leadership levels.
Participants also engaged with curated resources to deepen their thinking and leadership practice. A key highlight was Teaching Tolerance’s “Speak Up at School” guide from Learning for Justice—a practical tool to help leaders recognize and respond while fostering respectful environments. Additional books and leadership materials addressed topics such as data, global perspectives on technology, ethical leadership, and strategies for mentoring and elevating others. Together, these resources reinforced the breakfast’s broader focus on intentional leadership and lasting impact.
The conversation also addressed systemic challenges. According to the 2024 CoSN Leadership Report, women hold 36% of IT leadership roles—a decrease from prior years. This decline highlights the ongoing need for stronger mentorship, increased visibility, and purposeful investment in inclusive leadership development.
CoSN continues to expand programming that supports shared leadership, creating spaces like this breakfast where voices are welcomed and elevated. This year’s breakfast served as both a reflection point and a call to action for how the field must continue to evolve.
It wasn’t just a breakfast—it was a practical opportunity to step back, engage across districts, and examine the relationship between leadership, data privacy, and well-being.
As educational technology continues to shift, gatherings like this remind us:
Leadership starts with connection — and thrives with purpose.
We would like to thank our sponsors ClassLink and Identity Automation.
Author: Jaclyn Stevens, Senior Research Scholar, Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, member of the CoSN Belonging and Inclusion Committee.
Published on: April 29, 2025
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