In this final episode of Season One of Lead Her Higher, Emily MacLean is joined by Megan Murphy, Global Executive Director of the International Coalition of Girls' Schools, for a powerful conversation about leadership, girls' education, and the transformative potential of girls around the world.
Megan reflects on her own leadership journey from university admissions and school advancement to leading a global organization that connects more than 580 girls' schools across six continents. Together, Emily and Megan explore what girls are telling us they need right now, why girls' schools matter more than ever, and how educators and families can create environments where girls truly flourish.
Key takeaways from this episode:
• Leadership begins with listening, building relationships, and helping others see themselves in a larger vision.
• Girls thrive when they are known, valued, challenged, and supported.
• Girls' schools don't simply prepare girls for the world as it is—they prepare girls to shape the world as it should be.
• Confidence in girls is built intentionally; it doesn't happen by accident.
• Girls are telling us they want authenticity, meaningful connection, agency, and adults who will listen to and trust them.
• Creating environments where girls can "see it to become it" has a profound impact on their confidence and leadership aspirations.
• The world needs girls' voices, ideas, courage, and leadership now more than ever.
• When adults believe in girls, sometimes before girls fully believe in themselves, transformative growth becomes possible.
This conversation is a hopeful and inspiring reminder that when we believe in girls, provide meaningful opportunities, and intentionally design environments for them to thrive, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Because when we lead girls higher, we all rise.
Listen to Megan’s journey and be inspired to Lead Her Higher.
Keywords: leadership, women leaders, education, empowerment, confidence, Girls education, Educational leadership, ICGS, women in leadership
