Deaf Women in Leadership Panel

Jennifer Herbold, Ph.D.
Superintendent, New Mexico School for the Deaf

Dr. Jennifer Herbold serves as the 10th—and first Deaf woman—Superintendent of the New Mexico School for the Deaf (NMSD), where she leads both comprehensive educational programs and statewide services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and families.

With a background spanning teaching, literacy development, and administrative leadership, Dr. Herbold’s career reflects a deep commitment to student-centered education and systems-level impact. She began at NMSD as a middle school English teacher and later advanced into leadership roles while earning her Ph.D. in Language, Reading, and Culture from the University of Arizona.

Her leadership is grounded in Compassionate Systems and Systems Awareness, emphasizing reflection, relationships, and understanding the broader systems shaping education. Through this lens, she continues to guide NMSD’s growth while supporting the next generation of Deaf learners across New Mexico.

Dr. Nancy Hlibok Amann
Director, State Special Schools and Services Division, California Department of Education

Dr. Nancy Hlibok Amann leads the State Special Schools and Services Division at the California Department of Education, overseeing the California Schools for the Deaf in Fremont and Riverside, the California School for the Blind, and multiple statewide diagnostic centers.

Her leadership journey spans classroom teaching, system administration, and executive leadership across state education systems. Prior to her current role, she served as Superintendent of the California School for the Deaf, Riverside, where she led institutional growth and strengthened educational outcomes for Deaf students.

With a Ph.D. in Bi-Literacy and Reading, Dr. Hlibok Amann brings a strong focus on literacy, access, and educational equity. Her work continues to shape how state systems support Deaf, DeafBlind, and Blind students at scale.

Clara Baldwin
Assistant Director of Special Education, Anchorage School District

Clara Baldwin is a Deaf educator and advocate dedicated to advancing Deaf Education and accessibility in Alaska. As Assistant Director of Special Education for the Anchorage School District, she works within a predominantly hearing system to expand inclusive practices and improve outcomes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.

Raised in a culturally rich Deaf community and as part of a Japanese-American Deaf family, Clara’s leadership is deeply influenced by identity, community, and advocacy. Her work extends beyond school systems through her leadership with the Alaska Deaf Council, where she chairs the Deaf Education & Outreach Committee.

Clara has also collaborated with state legislators to improve access to Deaf Education and recently shared her vision for a more accessible future in a TEDx talk, highlighting her commitment to long-term systems change.

About This Episode
In this special Women’s History Month conversation, three Deaf women leaders come together to reflect on their leadership journeys, the systems they navigate, and the communities they serve.

From statewide education systems to local advocacy and policy work, this discussion highlights how leadership shows up across different roles and what it means to lead with purpose, identity, and impact.

Together, they explore what it truly means to lead different.