NYSAWA is pleased to present NYSAWA Celebrates Phenomenal Women, a virtual statewide event for education leaders at all levels.
The event will take place via Zoom on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
This year, we will be celebrating and hearing from Dr. Roshone Ault Lee, Founder and Principal, South Bronx Academy for Applied Media (SBAAM), Kristine Orr, Superintendent of the South Glens Falls Central School District, and Dr. Laura Feijoo, Intentional Education Leadership, CEO.
Meet this year’s Phenomenal Women
Dr. Roshone Ault Lee
Founder, Principal, South Bronx Academy for Applied Media (SBAAM)
Dr. Roshone Ault Lee has lived by the mantra, “To whom much is given, much is required,” since her childhood, a principle deeply rooted in her upbringing and instilled as the motto of her junior high school, Philippa Schuyler. Driven by a passion for transformative leadership, Dr. Lee founded the South Bronx Academy for Applied Media (SBAAM) in 2005, a thriving middle school dedicated to empowering urban youth in grades 6 through 8.
Dr. Lee’s academic achievements reflect her commitment to lifelong learning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and Television, Radio, and Film from Syracuse University; a Master of Science in Education from Fordham University; a Doctorate in Education in Interdisciplinary Studies from Teachers College, Columbia University; and a Certificate in Advanced Education Leadership (CAEL) from Harvard University.
Looking to the future, Dr. Lee aspires to partner with organizations and communities to expand opportunities for underserved youth on local, national, and global levels. She also envisions mentoring early career educators and administrators by sharing her wealth of expertise in a university setting.
Her numerous accolades include being named the 2023 New York City Chancellor’s Master Principal, a 2020 Gray Fellow, a 2014 Outstanding Educator Award Recipient, and a Middle School Quality Initiative Leadership Fellow. She is a two-time Learning Partners Program and Lighthouse Collaborative Host Principal and a 2010 Cahn Fellow for Distinguished NYC Principals.
Dr. Lee is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Consuming Fire Ministries International, Inc. and a former Executive Board member of the Middle School Principals’ Association. She also serves as an advisor for District 7’s Girls Empowerment Movement (GEMs) and My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiatives and collaborates with Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson to scale the My Sister’s Keeper movement in The Bronx.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Dr. Lee enjoys spa visits, CrossFit training, and traveling with her family. Her dedication to service, education, and community exemplifies a life committed to making a difference.
Connect with Dr. Roshone Ault Lee on LinkedIn
Kristine Orr
Superintendent, South Glens Falls CSD
Kristine Orr is an accomplished educational leader and the Superintendent of South Glens Falls Central School District. Under her leadership, the district has embraced a unified vision, mission statement, and core values, emphasizing innovation, equity, and student success. She spearheaded the creation of the Portrait of a Graduate, in collaboration with EdLeader21, ensuring students are prepared for future-ready learning.
Dedicated to equity, Kristine has expanded access to resources by ensuring free breakfast and lunch for all students, budgeting for free school supplies for Pre-K to 5th grade, and significantly increasing extracurricular offerings, including athletics, the arts, and summer programs. She has prioritized student and staff well-being through renewed mental health initiatives, including SEL programs, trauma-informed practices, and accessible online therapy services.
Kristine successfully led South Glens Falls CSD through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, pioneering a regional virtual school for over 400 students and implementing innovative safety and instructional solutions. Her leadership contributed to increasing the district’s graduation rate from 83% to 90%, while also completing major capital projects under budget and with no additional tax impact. Kristine consistently aligned district initiatives to safety, mental health, and future-ready learning.
A recognized regional leader, she has collaborated on merger studies, joined the prestigious League of Innovative Schools, and is a past president of NYSAWA. She strives to mentor and tap future leaders to be the best they can be professionally for themselves and the good of their students. Kristine Orr exemplifies the power of visionary, relational leadership in transforming educational communities.
Connect with Kristine on LinkedIn
Dr. Laura Feijoo
Intentional Education Leadership, CEO
Dr. Laura Feijoo serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Intentional Education Leadership, where she partners with various organizations to enhance instructional leadership across the educational landscape. Previously, Dr. Feijoo held the position of Superintendent of Schools in New Rochelle and played pivotal roles within the New York City Public Schools, including Senior Superintendent of Labor and Policy and Senior Supervising Superintendent. In these roles, she oversaw citywide superintendents to align and achieve the strategic priorities of the school system.
A champion for equity and access, Dr. Feijoo has led transformative initiatives such as the AP Expansion Program, Summer Quest, and the DREAM Program, all aimed at narrowing opportunity gaps for historically underserved students. With more than 35 years of extensive experience in public education, she has excelled in guiding school leaders in instructional planning, leadership development, and creating inclusive, positive school cultures.
As the founding principal of PS/MS 499, the Queens College School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Dr. Feijoo cultivated a groundbreaking partnership with CUNY Queens College. This collaboration enriched curriculum development, professional learning, and inquiry-based instruction in mathematics and science. Her career began in Queens as a middle school teacher and assistant principal, reflecting her unwavering dedication to fostering student-centered education.
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Learn more about the event
Phenomenal Women is an annual virtual event that shines a light on the stories and experiences of today’s educational trailblazers and provides a space for attendees to share their career experiences and connect with peers across New York state.
Our 2025 Phenomenal Women were nominated by NYSAWA members and will present brief Ted talk-style speeches, sharing their respective experiences from their career journeys and more. Registered attendees will receive an email on Wednesday, Feb. 5 with a link to the event.