What can I solve for you?

Applying decades of experience in various public-education roles, I feel I’m positioned well to serve as a mentor and coach for superintendents and other school leaders. I also provide counsel and training on governance; connect people within my extensive professional network; offer insight and a steady hand during crises, equity and diversity policy development, and labor management relations; and handle a wide range of other matters on behalf of school districts.

What's it like to work with me?

A student-centered focus stands at the core of my values. As a leader who’s grounded in empathy, I first take a good look at the people, system or organization I’m working with to identify all the assets they possess—and then build upon them. I assess very complex and intricate situations and make them meaningful, even the most diverse groups come together to problem-solve for the greater good. I focus my work on the cultural, racial, and linguistic diversity and how we can best use their lived experiences to further the work on the behavior of students.

Overview

With four decades of instructional and school district administrative experience, Diann Kitamura brings deep insight into public education to her role as consultant and executive mentor. She draws on this valuable knowledge to provide actionable coaching and mentoring advice, including governance training, and effective group facilitation in difficult situations for school superintendents and board cabinet members.

Whether she’s guiding a new school superintendent or providing lawyers with a listening ear on the practitioner view of a legal issue, Diann always keeps the needs of California’s students front and center. She functions as a highly effective liaison between attorneys and school district professionals by translating legal concepts and language into practical strategies of implementation. She also provides practical assistance and support that accommodates the distinctive ways that public-school governing organizations operate.

Clients appreciate Diann’s strategic ability to identify blind spots and navigate political structures to procure the best results possible. She grows, hones, nurtures and taps her vast social and professional networks to inspire and motivate people and groups to unite, build consensus and move agendas forward. Always honest and ethical, Diann strives to further social justice. As an education administrator, she prioritized equity and developed and implemented accountability plans grounded in eliminating the barriers to access for BIPOC, English Learners, economically challenged students and foster youth.

When Diann served as superintendent of Santa Rosa City Schools, her strong web of connections enabled her to mount effective responses to crises, including devastating wildfires that destroyed many homes and facilities in the region, and, later, the school closures and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. She was also successful in transforming an extremely divisive labor-management relationship into a collaborative and professional partnership while reducing a longstanding budget deficit. She now imparts her informed perspective to clients whose school districts are facing these same types of occurrences.

After School

I love experiencing different cultures through travel. I’m very fond of visiting the Asian countries in particular, especially Japan and Korea, but I also enjoy Italy and look forward to exploring more of the Mediterranean region, including Greece. I also want a Sprinter Van and wish to travel with my spouse and our three French Bulldogs to explore for of the US.

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