Building Inclusive Leadership Beyond the Gender Binary

The gender binary presents an interesting paradox for leaders and raises the question for organizations on how to forge new paths and confront gender-based stereotypes in leadership. Many leaders outside of the gender binary remain absent from critical research and leadership studies. Challenging beliefs about leadership may allow organizations to break through the gender binary and embrace gender-fluid leadership styles. Societal expectations and stereotypes influence the journeys of all gender identities across professions. A broader understanding of the complexities surrounding gender and leadership is necessary to foster dialogue and insights for organizations seeking a more inclusive and equitable leadership landscape. Building Inclusive Leadership Beyond the Gender Binary explores how the gender binary impacts leadership and provides insight into first-person narratives and experiences of leaders that identify as gender fluid, non-binary, queer, or trans. These perspectives contribute to a broader understanding of the complexities surrounding gender and leadership, fostering dialogue and insights for readers seeking a more inclusive and equitable leadership landscape. This book covers topics such as gender equity, sexual identity, and organizational culture, and is a useful resource for administrators, education professionals, academicians, researchers, business owners, sociologists, and psychologists.

Ann Marie Luce is a seasoned educator and leader with a rich and diverse background in education. Her journey began in Buffalo, New York, where she embarked on her career as an Early Years educator. Over the years, Dr. Luce has demonstrated her passion for teaching by engaging with students across all grade levels, from prekindergarten through 8th grade, as well as in special education. With a commitment to global education and leadership, Dr. Luce has served in various capacities internationally. Her experiences include significant leadership roles in both public and private schools in Ontario, Canada, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Beijing, China. These diverse settings have shaped her understanding of educational systems and leadership dynamics on a global scale. Dr. Luce holds an Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University, a Masters of Education in Elementary Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Gerontology and Family Studies from the University of Guelph. This multidisciplinary educational background reflects her holistic approach to understanding the needs of students and the communities she serves. As the former Associate Director of the Centennial Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Dr. Luce has witnessed firsthand the pivotal role educators play in shaping the next generation of leaders. Dr. Luce is currently a Vice President in Risk Workforce Management for an international bank. Her work extends beyond national borders, emphasizing the importance of cultural intelligence, leadership development, coaching, mentoring, assessment, pedagogy, and instructional leadership. Dr. Luce is a respected author and presenter. She has contributed significantly to the dialogue and discourse surrounding women in leadership, sharing her insights and experiences on the national and international stage. Dr. Luce's written works and presentations underscore her commitment to advancing education, promoting diversity, and fostering effective leadership practices.

Debra Lane has been an educator for over 30 years as a teacher and administrator in the U.S. and abroad. She has led several schools as principal, including most recently at one of the world's leading international schools, Shanghai American School. She taught grades from pre-K through middle school and ESOL, Literacy, and Gifted and Talented classes in Fairfax County Public Schools and the Dominican Republic. She holds a BS from Baylor University, master's degrees from Virginia Tech and George Mason University, and an Ed.D. from the University of Virginia. Her dissertation on bullying prevention has led to her advising government agencies, associations, and school boards on effective bullying prevention strategies locally and internationally. She has taught undergraduate and graduate classes at George Mason University and the University of Virginia. As part of her work with the National Staff Development Council (Learning Forward), she applied current research in adult learning to her work on staff development, focusing on professional learning communities. She presented at numerous international conferences, including the Near East South Asia Association, Tri-State Educators, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and her work with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation at the National Science Foundation. For the past five years, she has worked on federal government grants focusing on transformative leadership and increasing teachers' leadership and instructional roles across the U.S. and Central and South America. Another role she led was leading the accreditation process across Virginia; before this position, she was Director of Talent Development at Alexandria City Public Schools for four years. In addition to being a state accreditation officer, Dr. Lane has also participated in accreditation teams in China and Hong Kong with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). She was nominated as Virginia Principal of the Year and won the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Educator Award in 2009. Recently, Dr. Lane was an educational consultant at Lane Leadership Group, LLC, and her work led her to build leadership development programs for the US Federal Government. She serves as Chair of the Fall for the Book Literacy Festival at George Mason University and a board member of IDEA (Inclusive Development Education for Adolescences’) and WABA (Washington Area Bicycle Board Association).

Jenna Konyak Terrell is a knowledgeable and established professional with a rich background in higher education administration. Expanding across multiple organizations in the northeast, Dr. Terrell has developed a passion for organizational commitment and leadership in today’s changing society. She connects with students and colleagues across campus and across the country to examine current practices and identify ways to enhance and embrace change to strengthen policies and procedures related to leadership development. Expanding her knowledge and education is very important to Dr. Terrell. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership Studies from Northeastern University. Dr. Terrell also holds a Masters of Art in Students Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management from Siena College. Her educational background highlights her focus on leadership in today’s society and the impact of tomorrow’s leaders in our communities. Dr. Terrell currently serves as the Director of Student Engagement Operations at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. In this role, Dr. Terrell works directly with students and campus colleagues to develop policies and processes that emphasize the individualized identities of each community member. Her work embodies leadership development, assessment, mentoring, and large-scale problem solving. Over the past decade, Dr. Terrell has been forging her way in authorship. Furthermore, she has gained respect through presentations both locally and nation-wide. She has contributed to the dialogue and exploration of leadership in today’s society with a focus on intersectionality of identity and its impact on success. Dr. Terrell's work emphasizes her interest in broadening the conversation around gender in the workplace and developing effective leadership practices the strengthen the success of an organization.