Ep29 Alma Lopez, National School Counselor of The Year: Leadership Development Podcast
Ep29 Alma Lopez, National School Counselor of The Year: Leadership Development Podcast  
Podcast: LEADERSHIP MESSENGERS™ with Ovi Vasquez
Published On: Sat Feb 07 2026
Description: What questions do you want asked at in the show? HOST: This leadership development podcast is brought to you by: Ovi Vasquez, Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker. Fatherless farm boy from rural Guatemala—Inspiring teams to peak performance. He challenges teams to embrace change and step into bold leadership through leadership culture. He grew up in a village without electricity, learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in management, in two years.  Ovi has worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber. He is a TEDx speaker, author, and social entrepreneur. GUEST BIO:  Alma Lopez is a Fresno State graduate with over 20 years in school counseling. She serves as District School Counseling Coordinator and middle school counselor for Livingston USD, with experience at the elementary level. A RAMP coach, ASCA-certified trainer, and former CASC board member, Alma was named 2021 California and 2022 ASCA National School Counselor of the Year. Her work is nationally featured and recognized coast to coast and most recently by UCLA’s Center for Transformation of Schools.Find our guest at: Instagram (@AlmaJoLopez1) or Livingston USDFind our host at: https://www.ovinspires.comLeadership Development Keywords: educational leadership, school counseling, intentional leadership, advocacy, access and equity, mentorship, psychological safety, community leadership, first-generation success, values-driven leadershipLeadership Development Summary: In this episode, Alma Lopez shares how family sacrifice, education, and reflection shaped her leadership journey from a shy first-generation student to a national voice for school counseling. She explains why leadership is influence without a title, how intentional action changes outcomes, and why reflection keeps leaders accountable. Her insights apply to education and corporate leaders building trust, belonging, and sustainable excellence.10 Takeaways on Leadership Development✅ Leadership is influence, not title✅ Intentionality gives actions meaning✅ Advocacy removes barriers✅ Reflection improves impact✅ Trust builds followership✅ Relationships drive results✅ Action matters more than talk✅ Access changes trajectories✅ Community is leadership✅ Representation matters5 Titles for Leadership Development✅ From First-Gen Student to National Leader✅ Leadership Without a Title✅ Intentionality, Action, Reflection✅ Advocacy That Changes Lives✅ Trust Is the Work5 Sound Bites for Leadership Development🗣 “Leadership is leaving the world better than we found it.”🗣 “It’s about the stories behind the data.”🗣 “Intentional kindness changes lives.”🗣 “If it’s not making a difference, we must reflect.”🗣 “School counselors are leaders.”10 Chapters on Leadership Development00:00 – Meet Alma Lopez03:00 – Defining Leadership06:00 – Family and Immigrant Roots09:00 – Education as the Game Changer12:00 – Psychology and Communication15:00 – Intentional Leadership18:00 – Advocacy and Access21:00 – Developing Future Leaders24:00 – Reflection as a Tool27:00 – Resources and Mentorship30:00 – Final Message#OVinspires #LeadershipMessengers #leadership #communityLeadership Culture podcastExecutive leadership podcastEducational leadership podcastOrganizational leadership podcastProfessional Development podcastChange Management podcastCorporate leadership podcastSchool leadership podcastTop Leadership podcast for managersBuilding High-Performance Teams podcast