Her Story
About Daisy
Daisy Morales, Ed.D. is an accomplished educational leader, consultant, and transformational change strategist with more than 25 years of experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and executive development. She is the founder of Legacy Growth Collective, LLC, where she supports educational executives—particularly women leaders—navigating career transitions, professional challenges, and leadership crises through her PAWS framework. Her work centers on empowering leaders, strengthening organizational systems, and creating pathways for sustainable success in education.
Throughout her career, Dr. Morales has served in a variety of leadership roles, including superintendent, assistant superintendent of educational services, principal, bilingual teacher, and nonprofit chief financial officer. Her educational journey was inspired by a bilingual teacher who supported her as a young English learner, shaping her lifelong commitment to equity, student success, and multilingual education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in business, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from San José State University, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University.
Recognized for her visionary and collaborative leadership style, Dr. Morales specializes in strategic planning, curriculum development, executive coaching, mentorship, professional development, and creating systems that elevate student and parent voices. She has championed initiatives that establish meaningful spaces for families and students to participate in decision-making and has dedicated herself to mentoring the next generation of educational leaders. She is also a co-author of women-empowerment books, including Empire of Radiance and Latina Radiance, and remains actively involved with professional organizations such as CALSA, ACSA, CABE, and ALAS, continuing her mission to inspire equity-driven leadership and transformational change in education.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Daisy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my personal experiences, continuous learning, and commitment to recognizing that every learner is unique. Raising my two very different children helped me understand diverse learning styles, which shaped my approach to teaching and led me to incorporate multiple intelligences and alternative assessment methods in my classroom. My educational journey, including degrees in Spanish and business, a master’s in curriculum and instruction, a doctorate in organizational leadership, and certifications in technology and coaching, has further strengthened my ability to innovate and support student success.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering education is to pursue it if it is truly their passion and to stay committed to continuous growth. Through my involvement with the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA) mentoring program, where I have served as a mentor for multiple rounds, I have seen the importance of guidance, support, and professional development. I encourage aspiring educators to seek mentorship, build their credentials, and embrace opportunities to grow as leaders.
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