Academic Innovation Conference 2026

Dr. Barbara Zwadyk is a professor of educational leadership at High Point University, where she teaches and mentors doctoral and master’s students preparing to lead schools and districts. Her career spans more than three decades in K–12 and higher education, including roles as Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Chief Officer for Curriculum and Organizational Development in Guilford County Schools, and Director of Leadership Services for NC New Schools — experience that grounds her work in the realities of leading under pressure. Today she serves as an executive coach and education consultant, partnering with principals, assistant principals, and district leaders on crisis and change leadership, strategic planning, equity, and trauma- and grief-informed practice. She holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership from UNC Greensboro, is a certified grief counselor, and is credentialed in EQ-i 2.0, DISC, and other leadership assessments. With Dr. Kim Morrison, she is co-author of the forthcoming book Courageous Leadership: It’s Not What You Think (Dave Burgess Consulting).