In her new book, Limitless Leader: Leading Beyond Your Disability, Dr. Russell-Smith blends powerful personal storytelling with her innovative L.E.A.D.E.R. Framework™ and explores leadership through the lens of disability, authenticity, and inclusion. Drawing from her journey as a Black woman who stutters and as a former K–12 administrator, Dr. Russell-Smith shares candid insights into identity, belonging, and resilience in leadership.
After more than three decades leading schools, districts, and equity-driven initiatives, Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith, Ed.D., HYA Associate, is sharing her insights in a bold new book: Limitless Leader: Leading Beyond Your Disability. The book combines her lived experiences and leadership expertise with a practical framework for turning challenges into strengths.
Published by SisterLeader Press, this book explores leadership through the lens of disability, authenticity, and inclusion. Dr. Russell-Smith blends powerful personal storytelling with her innovative L.E.A.D.E.R. Framework™ (Leverage, Empower, Advocate, Defy, Elevate, Resonate).
Drawing from her journey as a Black woman who stutters and as a former K–12 administrator, Dr. Russell-Smith shares candid insights into identity, belonging, and resilience in leadership. Throughout her career, she has led high-impact initiatives in both urban and suburban districts, focusing on student success, family and community engagement, and staff development.
Her work consistently centers on equity-driven transformation, from conducting equity audits and facilitating community forums to mentoring aspiring leaders and helping Boards and superintendents build inclusive, vision-driven cultures. The Limitless Leader: Leading Beyond Your Disability framework reflects this philosophy: that leadership starts from within and radiates outward through systems that value authenticity, strategic reflection, and collaborative growth.
Already generating interest among educators, Limitless Leader is more than a book, it is a call to action for leaders to embrace their authentic selves and use their perceived limitations as sources of power.
Limitless Leader: Leading Beyond Your Disability is available now on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.
About HYA
HYA is a leading executive search and educational consulting firm specializing in leadership recruitment, development, and support for school districts across the nation. With decades of expertise, HYA is dedicated to building exceptional educational leadership teams that drive success for students and communities.
For more information about HYA and our leadership solutions, please visit hyasearch.com.
