DR. EMBEKKA ROBERSON
Superintendent of Birmingham Public Schools
Since joining Birmingham’s school district in 2008, Dr. Roberson has served as elementary principal, high-school principal and assistant superintendent of Student Learning and Inclusion. During her 25-year career, she has been an unrelenting champion for students, particularly interested in creating a culture of unity and well-being and improving student-learning outcomes. Dr. Roberson is the first African-American and first female superintendent of Birmingham Public Schools.
Tell me about your position?
As the Superintendent of Birmingham Public Schools, I oversee the school district's day-to-day operations. We have approximately 7,500 students enrolled in our 16 schools and programs, catering to students from early childhood to preschool through 12th grade. Additionally, our adult transition program offers support for neurodiverse students up to the age of 26.
Prior to becoming superintendent, I worked as an assistant superintendent.
Describe your leadership style. Is it different from your male counterparts?
Leadership challenges the status quo to help create optimal conditions for the people you serve. I am constantly identifying ways to improve our school district so every student can reach their full potential. My leadership style is to serve with integrity, empathy and a strong understanding of my core values.
The attributes of my leadership style can be seen in male and female leaders. However, sometimes the same qualities can be viewed differently: For example, acting on your core values can be considered strength and decisiveness in men; in women, it can be seen as cold and stubborn.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership?
I believe the most significant barrier is the lack of opportunity. According to an American Association of School Administrators (AASA) study, women comprise 76 percent of K-12 teachers; however, they only comprise 54 percent of principals and only 24 percent of superintendents. Several factors impact that statistic, and a lack of leadership opportunities is one of them.
There are still unconscious biases about who can fit that role when thinking of leaders. An interview committee member asked the group if a female candidate could be an effective leader when they had young children at home — I have never heard that asked about a male candidate.
I have also heard comments about whether a female candidate can handle the pressure of a leadership role, which I do not usually hear for male candidates.
Women must be seen as equally viable candidates. They must be encouraged and allowed to lead.
Have you been in a leadership position where you were treated differently than your colleagues?
Overall, people have been very supportive of my leadership. However, during each of my positions, there have been times when I have been treated differently. More than once, people have deferred to my male counterpart for a decision — even though I am present and the final decision-maker. I have also had people question my competency and use words to describe me such as difficult or cold when I hold people accountable.
When I face these challenges, I try not to spend too much time speculating on why I am being treated differently. It could be because I am female or African-American or because I don’t present as the gregarious extroverts who are often leaders. I focus on making sure that I do not project any bias on others and that I do what I can to call implicit biases out when I see them.
Is it important to “give back” to your community or the women in your community?
I am where I am because of the amazing opportunities both men and women have shared with me. It is essential that I pay that forward. I believe in the power of education, so I encourage anyone passionate about education to pursue leadership roles.
I intentionally share opportunities with people from marginalized groups who may not see themselves in the spaces they want to lead. If someone had not pulled me aside and said you will be a principal one day, I do not know if I would have considered pursuing the role. I have great mentors from different backgrounds who continue to help me be the best version of myself. I want to ensure I can be a great mentor for others.
MONICA NOTARO
Owner, Miroh Meals
National Anthem Singer
Birmingham-based Monica Notaro seems to do it all — degree in biochemistry, professional musician, national anthem singer for the Detroit Red Wings (for the last five seasons) and owner of Miroh Meals, a vegan meal-prep company in Bloomfield Hills. Founded in 2018 in her home kitchen while a single mom, she’s grown the business to a brick-and-mortar cafe offering weekly delivery service and grab-and-go gourmet meals that nourish both body and soul. Notaro’s goal is to make healthy eating accessible and effortless — and wholesome and delicious. Order online at mirohmeals.com or download the app. Plus — Notaro is a social-media queen, with Miroh Meals (@mirohmeals) garnering more than 10,000 followers on Instagram, showing gorgeously photographed dishes plus health and nutrition tips; her personal page’s more than 11,000 followers love her fashion finds, travel destinations and clips of her singing.
When you began your career, did you ever imagine you’d be where you are now?
Starting out as a chemist, I honestly could not have guessed I would be in the food industry or on the ice every game for the Detroit Red Wings!
Describe your leadership style and how you “lead” others.
I like to lead by example with a more transformational style — I give everyone an opportunity to ask questions and, for me, it’s all about demonstrating proper techniques and setting standards on our expectations. I like to inspire and encourage my employees to be innovative and develop new ways to grow the business. I love when people ask questions, as it shows the curiosity of my employees. It’s important to keep people involved in all steps of the process.
What factors impact a woman’s ability to lead others?
I think the impact starts at a very young age. It’s all about the values and exposure to leadership that we show our children and daughters. You have to be vocal, ask questions and speak to people that are enmeshed in the industry. But you also have to be willing to state what you want and put that out to the universe.
It’s been amazing having my daughter surrounded by these processes and able to see leadership and generate positive leadership role models.
What do you consider a major accomplishment in your life or career?
I am so in love with what I do. Singing the national anthem for the Detroit Red Wings is an absolute dream. I bring my seven-year-old daughter with me to every game, and having her see my hard work and all that comes with it is so important.
I also started my meal prep company out of my home five years ago, and my daughter has seen me go through the ups and downs of owning a business. I’m so proud of both my singing career and my business.
Is it important to “give back” to your community?
Absolutely. Miroh Meals donates all of their unsold meals to refrigerators throughout Detroit; we also donate all of our unused produce.
How do you encourage women to not give up?
Anything is truly possible if you’re passionate about it. I started my business five years ago out of my garage and now I have a full restaurant and serve 2,500 meals a week in our delivery service.
I also started a band 10 years ago and always dreamed of singing the national anthem — and now I do! There are going to be tough times when starting a business. But you have to envision the outcome and push through.
RACHEL STEWART
Chief Executive Officer of Gardner White
The fourth-generation leader of the 112-year-old family-owned and operated furniture and mattress retailer, Stewart was promoted from president to CEO this past April, succeeding her parents, Barbara and Steven Tronstein. As one of the only female leaders in the industry, Stewart has been instrumental in the company’s expanded footprint to include 13 retail locations throughout Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor and Saginaw with a team of more than 1,000 employees. Prior to returning to the family business, Stewart worked in the clean-energy sector for nearly 10 years, including in the U.S. Department of Energy with Nobel Prize-winning physicist Dr. Steven Chu.
What are your professional goals?
I am determined to continue the thoughtful expansion of the Gardner White brand and am committed to leading innovation to benefit the industry and our customers. Our team works tirelessly to always anticipate trends and technological advancements, like integrating AI and 3-D printing technologies, to help lead the future of retail. It is a challenge we embrace and we are incredibly mindful of bringing the best products at the best prices to our customers.
Is it important to “give back” to your community?
Gardner White's mission is to ‘Change Lives Through Furniture’ — this is truly what we aspire to do each day. We are deeply dedicated to giving back to the community and we approach community-giving with the same mindset as our retail approach — how do we go above and beyond to make a positive impact on people’s lives with what we do and what we invest in. For example: We partner with local and national nonprofits to help improve the lives of Michigan families; Gardner White is the presenting sponsor of America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit; we have a yearlong partnership with Serta and American Cancer Society, in which a portion of every Serta mattress sale through Dec. 31, 2024, supports the American Cancer Society and their mission to save lives; we host one of the largest blood drives in the state through our partnership with the American Red Cross; and we recently hosted free CPR training for the community with the American Heart Association to raise awareness of American Heart Month.
What makes Gardner White “special” in the industry as it pertains to women in leadership?
There is a key advantage to being a women-led company in an industry historically run by men — we really know our customer, because we are our customer. The Gardner White team includes a diverse group of women and working mothers who value time and money, so we understand first-hand the importance of making shopping easy. We listen to our customers and offer services that are important to them, like same-day delivery and night-time delivery to accommodate busy working families.
How do you balance professional success with personal well-being?
The key to finding balance and success is discovering what you love to do so that work doesn’t feel arduous. There are only so many hours in the day, so it’s important that you are spending the majority of your time doing something you truly enjoy. It also helps to be surrounded by a great team of colleagues.
“Women must be seen as equally viable candidates. They must be encouraged and allowed to lead.”
— Dr. Embekka Roberson