From Margin to Movement: Liza Francisco Voss on Leading with Heart, Identity, and Unshakeable Purpose
“You belong there. You do not let anyone otherwise change that mindset.”
— Liza Francisco Voss
In the latest episode of Vetted by Mark Vetter, we sat down with Liza Francisco Voss, Executive Director of EdTech and Strategic Innovation at Franklin Pierce School District — and the conversation wasn’t just about technology. It was about identity. Visibility. Power. And the long, often isolating road to leadership as a woman of color in education technology.
Mark opens the conversation with a moment burned into his memory: a leadership meeting where Liza raised a shared concern — only to be ignored entirely while the room turned to Mark, a white male, for a response. “My jaw dropped,” he recalls. “It was the first time I truly saw how invisible someone can be in plain sight.”
Building Her Own Table
Liza’s path wasn’t linear. From nurse, to college professor, to IT manager, to CTO — and eventually to a cabinet-level leader — her story is about defying expectation and honoring her own evolution. It’s also about pushing back, even when doing so meant standing alone.
“In the beginning,” she says, “I was navigating a very dark space. I had no mentor. I mentored myself.”
Her Filipino heritage instilled in her a deep respect for hierarchy — a cultural value that, in early leadership roles, clashed with the white-dominated systems around her. “I almost quit,” she admits. “But I told myself, I belong here because I worked hard.”
Today, she leads not just with technical expertise but with deep emotional intelligence — a commitment to empathy, relationships, and mentorship. And the results show: “People don’t leave my department. And if they do, it’s because they’re being promoted. That’s how I know I’m doing my job.”
Redefining Leadership on Her Terms
Leadership, for Liza, isn’t about titles — in fact, she chose to remove “Chief” from her job title out of respect for its cultural significance. Leadership is about integrity. It’s about owning your decisions — and your mistakes. It’s about showing up for your team, not just when things go right, but when they fall apart.
She contrasts two very different experiences with superintendents: one who shut down her vulnerability with, “If you’re going to cry, leave,” and another who regularly checks in, reminds her team, “I have nothing but love for all of you,” and encourages them to own their choices, whatever the outcome.
“Vulnerability,” Liza says, “is a strength. It means you care. And that’s where growth begins.”
Mentorship in Action
Now that she’s in a position of influence, Liza is changing the narrative for others — especially young girls in tech. Through coding clubs, outreach, and mentorship, she’s planting the seeds of self-belief in the next generation.
“I want students to see me and say, She looks like me. That means I can do it too. Because when I was their age, I didn’t have that.”
For those entering the male-dominated world of edtech — especially women and people of color — her message is simple, powerful, and firm:
“You belong there. Say it. Believe it. And don’t let anyone make you feel small.”
The Bottom Line: It’s About Relationships
As the episode comes to a close, Mark and Liza circle back to what really drives success in education and in life: relationships. Whether you’re a vendor, a director, or a student just stepping into coding — it’s not just about tech. It’s about listening, connecting, and showing up with heart.
“The technical piece is just a fraction of who you are,” Liza says.
“It’s how you build relationships with people that matters most.”