Redesigning School Leadership | Dr. Ruth Simmons & Dr. Lindsay Whorton

How do we build a future where every educator is supported and every student thrives?

Join The Holdsworth Center for a Place the Ladder conversation with Dr. Ruth Simmons, one of the most respected voices in education, and Dr. Lindsay Whorton, President of The Holdsworth Center and author of “A New School Leadership Architecture.”

Together, they’ll explore the journey that led Lindsay to reimagine how schools are led—from lone-hero models to collaborative, clearly defined roles that support educators and drive student success. Expect a candid, thought-provoking dialogue about how we build the schools students deserve and what this challenging moment in public education demands from those who lead.

5:00 - 6:00 PM | Reception featuring complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres

6:00 - 7:00 PM | Discussion & Audience Q&A

Place the Ladder is a conversation series between dynamic leaders and Holdsworth’s president, Dr. Lindsay Whorton. The talks explore people’s lived experiences based on the idea that leadership is not a skill people are born with—it can be learned, explored, and studied.

Tickets include access to pre-event reception featuring complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

Dr. Simmons has spent more than five decades breaking barriers in higher education. As the first Black president of an Ivy League university, she led Brown University with a fierce commitment to equity, inclusion, and academic excellence. Her leadership at Smith College and Prairie View A&M University further cemented her legacy as a champion for underserved communities and a relentless advocate for educational opportunity.

As President and founding member of The Holdsworth Center, Lindsay Whorton has helped thousands of Texas educators grow as leaders. Her new book, “A New School Leadership Architecture,” offers a revolutionary framework for redesigning leadership roles in schools—moving away from burnout and fragmentation toward coherence, collaboration, and sustainability.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, United States

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