Join me, Karen Medina, on the Super SMART Women Podcast as I sit down with Deborah Kaminetzky—attorney-turned-tech project manager, lifelong learner, certified PMP/Scrum Master/Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, owner of DeFacto PM, LLC, and mother of three thriving adult children. In this inspiring conversation, Deborah reveals how she leveraged curiosity and confidence to leap from a successful law career into the fast-paced world of technology—and how her passion for serving and mentoring others became the secret sauce behind every bold pivot.

In This Episode You’ll Hear:

• The power of purposeful mentorship
  • and why great mentors aren’t afraid when their protégés surpass them.
• Building transferable skills
  • How “de facto” project management in law prepared Deborah to lead multi-million-dollar tech projects, plus her playbook for earning the PMP, CSM, and Green Belt without being overwhelmed.
• Teaching that sticks
  • From ADA-compliance workshops to CLE “courtroom skits,” Deborah shares creative tactics that teach and applaud learners of every style (yes, even the post-lunch slump!).
• A life-saving PSA
  • As a 15-year colorectal cancer survivor, Deborah serves the wider community with candid, light-hearted reminders to get screened early—and explains how advocacy weaves into her SMART pillars.
• Advice to your 13-year-old self
  • Why confidence trumps perfection, and how to ignore the naysayers when you feel called to pivot.

Throughout the episode, Deborah embodies all five SMART pillars—Serve, Mentor, Applaud, Reflect, Teach—and proves it’s never too late to reinvent your career, your learning style, or your impact.

Deborah’s Resources

• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahkaminetzky
• Book: The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson – https://a.co/d/euCtp5a
• Podcast: Mel Robbins Podcast – https://linktr.ee/melrobbins
• Podcast: Project Management Happy Hour – https://pmhappyhour.com
• Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines – https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/cancer-screening-guidelines.html

Learn more about Super SMART Women at www.SuperSMARTWomen.com

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Join this Super SMART Women Podcast Eposide for a fascinating conversation with Principal Liz Kelz of Alice Carlson Applied Learning Center, a unique elementary school in the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD). As a dynamic leader in this innovative applied learning environment, Liz shares how her campus embraces diversity, encourages parent engagement, and fosters a culture where both students and staff learn side by side.

Hear how her team at Alice Carlson uses thoughtful practices, from the school-wide “first-name” policy to the peer-led conflict manager program, to ensure every child feels valued and equipped to succeed. Throughout the conversation, Liz highlights the power of Teaching - one of our SMART pillars: Serve, Mentor, Applaud, Reflect, and Teach - as she discusses the joy and responsibility of shaping this generation of learners, the next generation of leaders. If you’re ready to discover how supportive leadership and inclusive practices can transform education, don’t miss this inspiring episode!

Liz’s Resources

Alice Carlson Applied Learning Center - Fort Worth ISD - https://alicecarlson.fwisd.org/about-our-school

Zaretta Hammond - Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain - https://crtandthebrain.com/book/

Learn more about Super SMART Women on our website at www.superSMARTwomen.com

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Join me, Karen Medina, on this very special episode of the Super SMART Women Podcast as I welcome our first Super SMART Man - Dr. Derrick Worrels, President of Ranger College. With over 30 years in education, Dr. Worrels shares how his journey from the housing projects of Tampa to leading a rural Texas community college shaped his mission to reach, teach, and serve students of all backgrounds.

Discover how Ranger College fosters student success through thoughtful initiatives—like its Caring Campus culture, Hispanic-Serving Institution designation, dual-credit opportunities, and more. Listen in as Dr. Worrels reflects on his own college challenges as a first-generation student, offering insights on breaking down invisible barriers and lifting up every learner.

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Worrels embodies the five SMART pillars - Serve, Mentor, Applaud, Reflect, and Teach - with a faith-driven approach to leadership and a powerful commitment to student engagement. Super SMART Women applauds Dr. Worrels for his efforts to help our next generation of leaders, especially our future young women leaders. If you’re ready for an inspiring look at how supportive administrators and innovative programs can transform lives, don’t miss this episode!

Dr. Worrels’ Resources

Ranger College - https://www.rangercollege.edu

New English Translation Bible - https://netbible.com/

Learn more about Super SMART Women on our website at www.superSMARTwomen.com

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