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From a “Lost Student” to Early Learning Reformist Empowering Teachers: Meet Dr. Meera Mani, GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winner for Early Childhood
Dr. Mani celebrates her retirement as Vice President, Families and Communities at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. She joined the Foundation in February 2009 as program officer, and over the years was promoted to senior positions to lead the Foundation's investments in children, families, and communities. As a leader, Meera is known for her commitment to promoting quality, achieving impact, and bringing together diverse perspectives to build consensus and co-create solutions for complex social challenges.
What is your personal story? How did you find your purpose and your passion?
Do you recall a quiet, shy student who tried to follow along and blend in never to be noticed? Well, that student was me.
As a kindergartener, I was baffled by the routines in my classroom. We sat in rows – 32 of us – facing the teacher, staring at what she wrote on the “chalkboard” and trying to make sense of it. I learned the alphabet and my numbers. I attempted to write what we saw displayed hoping it was correct. Sometimes I did it right and sometimes my work was lacking. We came back day after day and did it over again – my version of “Groundhog Day”.
Even as a “lost student”, I was intrigued by the power of the teacher. She had the obedient attention of 32 students. Over the years I experienced the impact of that power. Some teachers had me captivated and excited to learn and others had the opposite effect. Through every grade, I saw what teachers could do to spark potential or crush it.
In second grade, I distinctly remember saying to my parents, that there had to be a better way to get an education. And my dad said, “Well, then maybe that is your calling.” He said, “Meera, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
I went on to do an undergraduate and master's degree in child and human development followed by a doctorate in Educational Leadership, and to this day am learning about how to create the conditions for every child in a classroom to succeed, feel their strength, have agency in their learning, and give back to community.
What led you to the leadership role for which you are being recognized? Who was instrumental on your path to success?
Leadership has never been an end goal for me. In every role, I focused on the impact we wanted to achieve. I love working with people to imagine the world we want to create for children, examine the obstacles, interrogate our assumptions, and relentlessly pursue the path forward. In so doing I am interested in harnessing the ideas, creativity, and cultural expertise of every member of the team. I have always prioritized the people on the journey with me because the well-being of the team is as important as the external context and drivers for change. My career has focused on advancing opportunities for children and families as a public good. I suspect it is that this approach has opened doors for me to step into leadership.
I would not be where I am today without the support of my community. I have been mentored by so many amazing people. For this writing, I will name two who I believe are seminal to my leadership journey. I moved to Denver in 1989 and joined the Clayton Foundation – now Clayton Early Learning. I was fortunate to meet two of Denver’s “movers and shakers” Adele Phelan, President of the Clayton Foundation, and Anna Jo Haynes, President of Mile High Child Care. I came to Clayton shortly after completing my doctorate equipped with ideological conviction and theoretical knowledge. I very quickly saw that to be of service to the community I needed much more.
Adele and Anna Jo led with compassion, discipline, tenacity, and an uncompromising commitment to serving Denver’s children and families. I knew instantly that I had something to learn from each of these amazing women – and for the sixteen years that followed, I watched and learned. To them, I am forever grateful.
I am also deeply grateful to Swati Adarkar and others who supported my nomination for this award. Swati leads with vision, compassion, patience, and deep respect for community. Today, her fingerprints are all over Oregon’s early childhood and the national pre-k to grade three system.
What does inclusive leadership mean to you and what would you like others to know and do as inclusive leaders?
The essence of inclusive leadership lies in co-creation, active listening, and being in conversation. We are in a deeply divided world where we are attached to what we believe. Inclusive leaders are able to set aside their beliefs and engage with diverse constituents to broaden their perspective and look for “a third way” – not “my way” or “your way” but “our way”. Most importantly they are willing to re-examine their assumptions and be changed by what they hear.
How can the GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network inform, advance and/or multiply your mission and goals?
Better connect the well-being of children and families to its broader mission and create opportunities for the network to become ambassadors for inclusion and belonging. Members must individually and collectively question their assumptions, and underlying motivations, seek common ground, and together find a path forward.
What legacy would you most like to leave the world?
I do not think about legacy. It is completely antithetical to how I see my role in this world. I will serve as long as I am able and then step aside so others – especially the generations that follow can pave the path forward. I have great faith in the human potential for good and am filled with gratitude for the opportunities I have had.
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