Rana Shariatdoust ’25
Master’s Degree in Public Education Management
Deputy chief of student development, Mastery Charter Schools of Philadelphia and Camden
Today’s education leaders must be more than effective managers or context experts. We also need to be courageous system disruptors. My work requires me to navigate complexity, align teams around a shared purpose, and make data-informed decisions that are also human-centered. I came to The Broad Center to hone these capabilities, and the tools I have gained through this program have already enhanced my impact across the schools I serve in Philadelphia and Camden, helping me build learning environments where every child thrives.
Our courses have transformed my approach to problem-solving, helped me bridge strategy with empathy, and deepen my understanding that systems change starts with people. In particular, the class Everyday Leadership has given me practical tools for leading through complexity while staying grounded in my own values. Our capstone coursework has helped me think critically about how to shift systems rather than practices, and how to sustain consensus and energy in challenging times.
I have used decision-making frameworks I learned in the program to coach colleagues on root cause analysis, drive culturally responsive discipline practices, and ensure our interventions align with long-term student development goals. These frameworks have helped me better understand my options for influencing policy throughout our charter network, and the different levers I can use to drive systemic change.
I aspire to be the kind of leader I needed growing up: one who leads with vision, integrity, and cultural clarity. At the same time, this program has reminded me that effective leaders need rest and reflection, and that as a woman of color, caring for myself is part of that work. This balance is what allows us to keep showing up.
My classmates have taught me that leadership looks different across contexts and geographies, but we all share a love for our communities and an unshakable belief in what is possible. They have challenged my thinking, expanded my toolbox, and reminded me that I am not in this work alone.
