Richard Carranza's connection to students is deeply personal and profoundly inspiring. He helps leaders move beyond compliance to truly seeing and serving every learner with dignity, respect, and high expectations

Richard's mentorship reminded me that political survival is not the goal— purpose-driven leadership is. He offered practical tools, a safe space to think strategically, and the wisdom that only comes from having led at the highest levels.

Richard has walked in our shoes-and it shows. His mentorship helped me lead through political turbulence with clarity, integrity, and strength. He doesn't just advise—he equips you to lead with purpose in the face of pressure.

During Hurricane Harvey, Richard Carranza was a beacon of calm, compassion, and strategic thinking. While others froze in the chaos, he kept our community focused on one thing: serving students with dignity and urgency. His leadership quite literally held our system together.

In a politically complex environment, Richard brought professionalism, poise, and deep knowledge to our Board/Superintendent relationship. He never pandered—he partnered. He was transparent about challenges, clear about solutions, and always centered on what’s best for kids.

Richard Carranza was one of the earliest and strongest advocates for mariachi education in public schools. He understood that mariachi is more than music—it’s identity, belonging, and a gateway to academic success. His leadership brought legitimacy and visibility to a program that changed and continues to positively affect lives.

Richard Carranza combines national credibility with personal humility. As a superintendent, having access to his counsel was invaluable—especially in moments of political tension. He helped me turn challenges into opportunities for bold, student-centered leadership.

Richard has a rare gift: he challenges leaders to confront hard truths without shame and empowers them to take bold, values-driven action. I've witnessed his coaching with administrators who not only became more skilled, but more courageous.

Richard Carranza is the mentor every superintendent needs—clear-eyed, courageous, and grounded in experience. His guidance helped me navigate all the things that a superintendent must manage - from board dynamics to resolving community concerns and accelerating student learning - while staying true to my values. I emerged more confident and focused because of his steady support.

Richard demonstrates exceptional leadership acumen that transforms educational systems nationwide. His strategic vision combines deep operational expertise with unwavering commitment to equity, achievement, and organizational success, enabling him to lead in complex political landscapes. His ability to build coalitions across diverse stakeholder groups showcases his sophisticated understanding of organizational dynamics and change management. He possesses the skill of translating equity principles into actionable strategies that produce measurable results for students of color and underserved communities. Through our shared work in education organizations, I witness his masterful ability to mentor superintendents, developing their courage and competence for transformational leadership.

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Richard Carranza’s leadership firsthand—and it’s nothing short of transformative. From the moment he steps into a room, his commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered learning is both clear and compelling. As a lifelong educator, Richard brings lived experience to every interaction. Whether drawing from his time as Chancellor of New York City schools or as superintendent in Houston and San Francisco, he blends authenticity with strategic clarity in remarkable ways. His ability to navigate crisis situations—such as system-level change, community upheaval, or global challenges—with both empathy and precision sets him apart.

As a retired large district superintendent and current professor of practice helping prepare young people to become future superintendents, I know what is required to successfully lead a large city school district.  Richard Carranza has successfully led 3 large urban districts, including the largest school district in the nation.  I wholeheartedly endorse and recommend Richard Carranza to any school district that is seeking guidance on obtaining successful district and student outcomes.