Her Story
About Renetta
Renetta Dees is an accomplished educational leader, executive coach, and administrator with over two decades of experience in K-12 education and nonprofit leadership. She currently serves as Executive Director of Genesis Innovation Academy in Atlanta, where she leads an all-girls charter school for grades K-8 and focuses on single-gender girls' education. Her earlier career includes over sixteen years with Atlanta Public Schools, where she served as Assistant Principal for four years, instructional coach for four years, and other roles supporting teacher development and student achievement. She holds a Bachelor of Science with a double major in elementary education and early childhood education from Tuskegee University, a master's in Literacy and Curriculum Instruction from Lesley University, and a master's in Educational Leadership from Capella University. She also completed New Teacher Center training in coaching teachers and instructional leadership. Renetta is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and attributes her success to resilience, a willingness to grow, and a servant leadership mindset.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Renetta
01What do you attribute your success to?
Resilience, being willing to grow, and having a servant disposition and mindset about how to approach day-to-day life in service of others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never stop being a learner. Stay open to feedback, surround yourself with people who can help you grow, be willing to adjust, try not to have all the answers but continue to grow while helping others grow.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't get into school leadership for the money because the pay does not equate to the amount of time, care, effort. Stay teachable, be willing to learn, build strong relationships, don't burn bridges, don't rush the journey, know your why and hold to it when things get hard.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenge: Being a woman in leadership is difficult, as parents may be more receptive to a male boss saying the same things. Opportunity: Authentic and regular opportunities to mentor and develop other women, advocate for girls, serve as an example of leadership for teachers, scholars, and parents.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Resilience, integrity, accountability, growth, and being a servant leader. Success means more when connected to positively impacting the people around me.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.