Brenda Ortiz McGrath is a transformational educational leader with more than 20 years of experience serving students, families, and communities. As the first Latina and female high school principal in Waltham in over five decades, she has been a trailblazer in advancing equity, strengthening family engagement, and creating systems that prioritize the whole child.
She pioneered the integration of telehealth and AI-powered mental health supports in Chelsea Public Schools, making it the first district in Massachusetts to provide real-time, technology-enabled student wellness services. Brenda is also the creator of CoreKind360, a platform designed to connect social-emotional learning (SEL), family engagement, and academic readiness, and the founder of Innovate‑Lead‑Elevate (ILE), a consulting firm dedicated to driving equity-centered systemic change.
A nationally recognized thought leader, Brenda was named Visionary Leader of the Year by Influencer Magazine in 2025 and has received numerous honors, including city citations from Chelsea and Lynn, the Inspirational Woman Award from The Latina Center Maria, and fellowships from CASEL, Latinos for Education, and LeadBoston.
Currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Supervision at American International College, Brenda is committed to advancing equity in education, mentoring future leaders, and publishing her forthcoming journal, Rooted & Rising: A Culturally Responsive Leadership Journal for Women.
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