In this episode of the Lead Her Higher podcast, host Emily MacLean sits down with Karen Jurjevich to explore her remarkable journey in educational leadership. Karen shares the early influences that shaped her path, how her understanding of success evolved, and the ways she has empowered young women to find their voices. She reflects on the delicate balance between honouring tradition and embracing innovation, the challenges and risks inherent in leadership, and the invaluable lessons learned from failure. Karen also speaks candidly about navigating gender dynamics in leadership and offers thoughtful guidance for emerging women leaders. Throughout the conversation, she highlights the power of mentorship and the lasting impact of the women who have led her higher.

Karen is the founder of KJ & Co,  a consultancy firm that bridges enterprise and education through the mission of building partnerships between educational institutions and investors to drive innovation, sustainability, growth and financial strength. Previously, Karen served as the 7th Principal of Branksome Hall for 26 years, an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Toronto, Canada. Karen also served as the CEO of Branksome Hall Global, encompassing the Toronto campus and Branksome Hall Asia on Jeju Island, South Korea, a school she co-founded in 2012.  Karen is an experienced professional in the education sector and a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program. She has earned diplomas in Integrative Thinking and Finance from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto and holds degrees from the University of British Columbia and Western University.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Begin with a passion for teaching.
• Success is defined by continuous learning and collaboration.
• Balancing tradition with innovation is essential in leadership.
• Leadership often requires making tough, sometimes unpopular decisions.
• Failure can be a powerful teacher in leadership.
• Emerging women leaders should stand up for their needs and aspirations.
• Mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping leadership journeys.
• Exceptional role models are vital for inspiring the next generation.

🎧 Listen to Karen’s journey and be inspired to Lead Her Higher.

Keywords: leadership, women in leadership, empowerment, educational leadership, success, tradition, innovation, challenges, failure, gender dynamics, mentorship

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