Dr. Saundra R. Mickles is a veteran educator whose career spans both public and non public school systems. She began as a music teacher with Chicago Public Schools before moving to a parochial school, where she taught elementary grades.  At that time, she earned her Master of Arts in Educational Administration and Supervision, and later served as principal. Her leadership experience includes staff supervision, curriculum development, community engagement, and grant writing.

She continued her career as a suburban elementary principal, securing funding for major initiatives and completing her Doctorate in Educational Administration, Supervision, and Educational Psychology. Dr. Mickles later served as Director of Curriculum and Assistant Superintendent, specializing in curriculum design, professional development, assessment analysis, school improvement, and human resources. She has facilitated workshops on assessment, literacy, project based learning, and the integration of music into core subjects.

After retiring, she was appointed Interim Superintendent in 2015, overseeing district operations and strengthening community partnerships. In 2017, she began teaching in a Chicago area university and founded Innovative Growth Solutions, Inc. (IGS), a nonprofit focused on educational grant development. In 2026, she expanded IGS by launching Leadership Through Mentoring, a one on one mentoring program supporting new and current  leaders in elementary and high schools.

Dr. Lisa Davis‑Smith is the Business Manager of Leadership Through Mentoring. She brings more than 25 years of experience as an educational leader, consultant, and mentor dedicated to developing confident, effective, and forward‑thinking school administrators. She is known for building strong partnerships, strengthening leadership capacity, and supporting schoolwide improvement efforts with clarity, empathy, and strategic focus.

Dr. Davis‑Smith has served in multiple leadership roles, including principalship, district‑level program administration, higher‑education student support, and restorative justice facilitation. She also mentors school administrators, helping them refine leadership skills, deepen reflective practice, and navigate the demands of instructional and organizational decision‑making.

Her experience includes restorative justice, student leadership development, federally funded program oversight, and districtwide strategic planning. She has created parent engagement resources, developed student‑centered leadership experiences, and supported administrators in building systems that strengthen collaboration, data use, and schoolwide improvement.

Through Leadership Through Mentoring, Dr. Davis‑Smith continues her mission of equipping leaders with the tools, confidence, and strategic guidance needed to lead with integrity, cultivate collaborative cultures, and create meaningful, lasting change for students, staff, and families.