Join host Pablo Muñoz for an outstanding conversation with his featured guest — Anna Marie Candelario.
Anna Marie is a first-generation Latina educator and systems-level leader who is redefining leadership through equity, healing, and heart. Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and rooted leadership that values care, connection, and courage. Anna Marie was named one of the Top 100 Education Influencers of 2025.
1:03 - Introduction
2:01 - My Leadership Story
22:50 - NxtGEN Teacher and Leader
29:33 - Leading While Breaking
38:07 - Building Systems
41:39 - Made of Roots, Not Rules
45:42 - The Power of Pause
48:22 - Risk
50:26 - A House Is Not a Home
54:23 - Grow Your Own, Don’t Break Your Own
57:35 - Guiding Principles
Anna Marie Candelario is an award-winning education leader. With over a decade of experience spanning special education, talent development, and systemwide transformation, she currently serves as the chief deputy of academic advancement and school performance for La Joya Independent School District in Texas. Anna Marie was the director of planning and pipeline development for the Community Unit School District 308 in Illinois, where she launched a teacher and leader residency program with more than half of participants identifying as people of color. Her leadership is shaped by her lived experience as a Latina navigating multiple complexities and breaking harmful stigmas in education.
Anna Marie obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Roosevelt University. She received a master’s degree in special education from Northeastern Illinois University. Anna Marie earned her second master’s degree in administration and leadership from the University of Illinois.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anna-marie-candelario-60aa7a56
Facebook: facebook.com/annamarie.n.santiago
Email: annamarie.candelario2@gmail.com
Latino Leaders publishes new episodes weekly on Mondays.
Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.
Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.
For additional information visit: themunozcompany.com
Purchase The Leader’s Algorithm: themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm
Learn more about Pablo: themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1
Email: pablo@themunozcompany.com
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