From Insight to Impact: Stories of Transformational Leadership from 623 Strong

Karen Biestman, J.D. Assistant Vice Chancellor, Office for Organizational Transformation, University of California, San Diego | La Jolla, California

AVC Biestman joined the Vice Chancellor's Office in 2023 after more than three decades at UC Berkeley and Stanford. At Stanford, she served as Associate Dean and Director of the Native American Cultural Center and taught in Native American Studies, the Law School, and the Stanford Design School.  Before that, she held similar academic and administrative leadership roles at UC Berkeley. At UCSD, she provides leadership advancing student belonging and inclusion, oversees the campus community centers and programs, co-leads the Dialogue for Peace Initiative, and works with campus partners to address campus climate.

Josefina Castillo Baltodano, J.D. Founder and Executive Director Emerita, Executive Leadership Academy, University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California and former President, Marian University | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Josefina Castillo Baltodano, JD, served as Founder and Executive Director of UC Berkeley's Executive Leadership Academy from 2011 to 2025. Previously, she served as President of Marian University until 2009, where she transitioned it from a college to university status. Baltodano has over 30 years in administration and teaching at UC Berkeley. Recognized by US News and World Report as one of the Best Leaders in Education in 2025, she has served on numerous boards, including ACE Women’s Network, HERS, and the Alameda Health System Foundation. Baltodano is also a former Commissioner for the California Student Aid Commission.

Samantha A. Rushing Associate Director and Executive Assistant to the Advisory Board, Executive Leadership Academy, and former Program Administrator, Berkeley Global Executive Education, University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California

Samantha A. Rushing currently serves as Associate Director and Executive Assistant to the Board of the ELA at UC Berkeley and has been with the program since 2017. As Chair of the Indigenous Scholarship Selection Committee, Rushing spearheaded the first ELA fundraiser, which exceeded its goal and allowed the program to double its Indigenous participation historically. She has also worked with the Goldman School of Public Policy on the Global Executive Education program and served as an Interim Executive Assistant to Dean David C. Wilson.

Shirley Robinson Pippins, Ed.D. Senior Search Consultant and Executive Coach, Academic Search | Washington, DC, and Former President, Suffolk County Community College | Long Island, New York

Dr. Shirley Robinson Pippins has decades of experience working in higher education. She has served as president of three colleges, a Senior Vice President of Programs and Services at the American Council on Education, a lead search consultant at Academic Search, and has held various leadership and coaching roles for educational not-for-profits.

Johnnella E. Butler, Ed.D. Former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Spelman College | Atlanta, Georgia and former Associate Dean, The Graduate School, University of Washington | Seattle, Washington

Johnnella E. Butler, Professor Emerita, Spelman College, served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2005 – 2014, and taught from 2016 until retirement in 2020. Prior to Spelman, Dr. Butler held appointments at the University of Washington, Seattle as Professor of American Ethnic Studies with appointments in English and Women’s Studies and Associate Dean and Associate Vice Provost of the Graduate School, and prior to that as Associate Professor of African American Studies at Smith College. As an instructor at Towson State College (now University), she developed the Black Studies Program. Dr. Butler has held tenured and administrative appointments at comprehensive, liberal arts, and research institutions. In 2025, she was selected and interviewed by The HistoryMakers, The Digital Archive for the Black Experience.

Ding-Jo H. Currie, Ph.D. Distinguished Faculty and Director, Leadership Institute for Tomorrow, California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton, California and former Chancellor, Coast Community College District | Costa Mesa, California

Ding-Jo Hsia Currie is Distinguished Faculty in Higher Education Leadership at California State University, Fullerton, and former Chancellor of the Coast Community College District. A nationally respected leader, she has served in key roles with AACC and ACE and continues to advise institutions through her work on multiple national and global boards.