ABOUT INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP LAB
“We support schools by helping to decrease the time students
spend outside the classroom, and increase the quality of time in classrooms with the most at-risk student populations.”
~ Dr. Nikki Harding
Dr. Nikki Harding
Dr. Nikki Harding
Founder of The Inclusive Leadership Lab | Educational Consultant | Instructional Leadership Coach
With over 22 years of experience in education—as a teacher, special education director, technical assistance provider, and leadership coach—I’ve seen firsthand how school systems can either empower or exhaust the people within them. I founded The Inclusive Leadership Lab to help school and district leaders create sustainable systems that support teacher retention, student success, and inclusive practices grounded in integrity, not compliance.
But this work isn’t just professional for me, it’s personal. As a parent of a young adult with Down syndrome, I’ve navigated the education system from both sides. I’ve experienced the frustration of a broken system and the power of what’s possible when we lead with empathy and clarity.
Ms. Leighton Rudd
Ms. Lisa Kramer
Ms. Cynthia Coufal
Leighton Rudd
Associate Director
I have dedicated 33 years to education, serving students from elementary through high school. In addition to teaching, I have held leadership roles as a building administrator and contributed to educator preparation as an adjunct instructor in the Building Leadership program at Fort Hays State University. I am an innovator who loves to use data to drive decisions and growth. Thinking outside the box is what I love to do, constantly seeking creative solutions to make a real impact in education. I am passionate about promoting both staff and student growth, fostering environments where everyone can reach their full potential.
Lisa Kramer
School Transformation Partner
With over 21 years of experience in education, Lisa has devoted her career to inspiring growth, resilience, and excellence in students and educators alike. Having taught in six states, across more than nine school districts and ten elementary schools, she has gained a deep understanding of diverse educational systems and communities.
Throughout her career, Lisa has taught every grade level at the elementary level, serving in roles that span General Education, Special Education, Gifted Education, and most recently as an Instructional Coach. Her academic background includes a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, further strengthening her leadership and instructional expertise.
As a proud military wife, Lisa embodies resiliency and adaptability—qualities she both models and fosters in others. She believes deeply in the power of a growth mindset, viewing productive struggle as an essential part of learning. Guided by the principles of empowerment and perseverance, she strives to cultivate environments where educators and students alike are motivated to reach their fullest potential.
Cynthia Coufal
Cynthia Coufal is a seasoned educator, teen anxiety coach, and the founder of The Anxiety Maze Navigator. With over 25 years of experience as a school counselor, Cynthia has a unique ability to help teens and young adults understand and manage their anxiety while discovering their strengths and values. Through one-on-one coaching, she guides teens in navigating school, friendships, and the pressures of growing up with greater confidence and clarity.
Cynthia also supports parents through her ongoing membership community, Parenting Through The Maze, where she helps caregivers better understand their child’s experience, respond more effectively to anxiety, and create a home environment that encourages emotional growth and independence. Cynthia’s work bridges the gap between parents and teens, offering tools, encouragement, and practical strategies to families navigating anxiety together.
Our Mission
We exist to help schools retain great teachers, reduce behavioral disruptions, and build inclusive systems where everyone feels a sense of belonging—not through quick fixes, but through sustainable leadership development and evidence-based support.
Why Our Support is Different
So much professional development is a one-day event—expensive, disconnected from daily practice, and quickly forgotten. Districts spend thousands on training that never makes it into the classroom. We do things differently.
Our model is layered, sustained, and job-embedded. We provide personalized, on-the-job coaching for teachers, targeted support for instructional coaches, and leadership development for school and district teams. We walk alongside your staff throughout the year, helping them apply research-based strategies in real-time—so theory becomes practice. And because we co-design the plan with you, everything is aligned to your district goals and scheduled with intention. The support that is enhanced with artificial intelligence is on-demand, so nobody has to wait for support.
This isn’t just PD—it’s an investment in your people and your system. Our goal is to build your team’s internal capacity so the impact lasts long after we leave. That’s what makes our approach worth it—and why schools that work with us see real, lasting results.
Why Schools Choose Us
School leaders partner with us when:
Teacher turnover is rising
Student behavior is escalating
Special education systems are under strain
Leadership teams need clarity, confidence, and a cohesive framework
We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. We customize every engagement based on your goals, your team, and your community’s needs.
What We Do
At The Inclusive Leadership Lab, we provide personalized, research-based professional learning for schools and districts across the country. We specialize in instructional leadership, inclusive education, and high-impact coaching models designed to help schools thrive—especially those facing the greatest challenges.
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Our hybrid coaching model combines artificial intelligence with human expertise to provide teachers with timely, actionable feedback that improves instruction and reduces burnout. All tools are HIPAA and FERPA compliant.
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We help districts build internal leadership capacity by training coaches and administrators to scale effective practices across buildings and systems.
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We offer a growing library of flexible, accredited professional development courses for educators, covering topics such as instructional leadership, behavior management, AI in education, and special education best practices.
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Our flagship program offers transformational leadership training aligned with research on effective school leadership. We coach principals and system leaders to foster strong organizational climates, improve instructional quality, and retain high-performing staff.
Let’s Build Something
That Lasts
If you're a superintendent, principal, or leadership team member looking to strengthen your systems and support your staff, we’re here to help.
Let’s connect to talk about how we can support your school or district. [Contact Us] or
[Schedule a Free Discovery Call]