Kymyona Burk on humanizing change around education policy (podcast episode #3)

In the third episode of Humanizing Change, host Erin Muzughi talks with Kymyona Burk, Senior Policy Fellow at ExcelinEd, about leading change in education policy with honesty, compassion, and a commitment to long-term impact. Kymyona shares how her early experiences as an educator continue to shape her approach to teamwork, leadership, and public perception today.

Lessons from the episode:

• Lead with purpose: I make sure every change effort connects back to why it matters for people.
• Build trust through honesty: I communicate openly, especially when trying to shift public perception.
• Collaborate to customize solutions: I work closely with stakeholders to create policies that meet real needs.
• Invest in professional growth: I prioritize continuous learning to strengthen both people and organizations.
• Ground change in compassion: I approach every challenge with honesty and care to help teams stay resilient.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Humanizing Change to hear more real, thoughtful stories about how people are navigating change and complexity. New episodes drop regularly — and we’d love to have you along for the journey.

Produced by Ari Abraham and Darrick Hays, with artwork by Chris Roettger.

#secondary { display: none!important; }