Ana Cortez-Hernandez highlights equity and belonging in school leadership

Ana Cortez-Hernandez, head of upper school at Woodside Priory, is being featured for more than 20 years of education leadership centered on equity, mentorship and student belonging. Her work spans classroom teaching, founding principal experience and school leadership focused on helping students and educators thrive.

Why it matters: - Ana Cortez-Hernandez’s career shows how school leadership can shape access, belonging and long-term opportunity for students. - Her approach links academic rigor with student wellness, which matters as schools face teacher burnout, AI disruption and political pressure. - Her profile also puts a spotlight on women leaders in education and the role of mentorship in advancing careers.

What happened: - Influential Women featured Ana Cortez-Hernandez for her leadership in education and her commitment to equity, access and belonging. - Cortez-Hernandez currently serves as Head of Upper School at Woodside Priory in Portola Valley, California. - She oversees grades 9-12, daily operations, faculty development, academic programming, strategic planning and accreditation. - She has worked in education for more than 20 years across public, private and charter school settings. - She was born in Mexico and raised in inner-city Oakland after her family immigrated to the United States. - She started as a classroom teacher and later became Founding Principal of Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School.

The details: - At Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School, Cortez-Hernandez helped build a college-preparatory model that paired rigorous academics with corporate work-study experiences. - The school developed a 100% college-going culture under her leadership. - At Woodside Priory, her leadership places strong emphasis on student wellness and belonging alongside academic achievement. - Cortez-Hernandez earned her bachelor’s degree from Occidental College. - She later received her master’s degree, teaching credential and administrative credential from Mills College. - Her leadership philosophy centers on high expectations, strong support systems and adults who understand students’ individual journeys. - She describes influence as the ability to plant and nourish ideas, perspectives and experiences that help others become their fullest selves. - She said being influential means offering others lessons from her own mistakes, challenges and successes. - Her advice to younger women includes finding mentors, asking questions, seeking help and not trying to do everything alone. - She said, “Don’t fake it till you make it. There is no need to fake anything.” - She credits her mother, husband, children, sister and many mentors for helping her throughout high school, college and her career. - She continues to value having mentors for debriefing, brainstorming, perspective and accountability. - She also encourages educators to build relationships outside their immediate professional circles. - Cortez-Hernandez identifies artificial intelligence as both a challenge and an opportunity for education. - She says AI should be adopted thoughtfully so it supports teachers and students rather than adding complexity. - She also flags teacher burnout as a major concern and says schools need to better support educators and build sustainable professional communities. - She sees the broader political climate and education funding decisions as additional pressures on schools. - Her personal values include integrity, hospitality, authenticity and spirituality. - She says spirituality is part of her personal journey and a source of reflection and grounding.

Between the lines: - Cortez-Hernandez’s story reflects a broader shift in education leadership toward whole-student support rather than test scores alone. - Her emphasis on lived experience suggests that representation and mentorship can be tools for institutional change, not just personal advancement. - Her focus on AI and burnout shows how school leaders are being asked to manage both technology change and human sustainability at the same time.

What's next: - Cortez-Hernandez says her focus remains on helping students grow academically, emotionally, socially and personally. - She wants schools to prepare students not only for college or careers, but for meaningful lives and community contribution. - She will continue working to support students, educators and aspiring leaders through mentorship and relationship-building. - More information is available through Ana Cortez-Hernandez’s Influential Women profile.

The bottom line: - Ana Cortez-Hernandez is using two decades in education to turn lived experience, mentorship and high expectations into a leadership model built on belonging and opportunity.