Women To Watch Awards 2026 honors Dr. Lashawnte McCray-Sarvis

Dr. Lashawnte McCray-Sarvis is a seasoned educator, school leader, consultant, author, podcaster, and certified coach whose work is grounded in equity, innovation, and purposeful leadership. Her educational journey is a powerful testament to perseverance. As a teen mother, Dr. McCray-Sarvis pursued higher education with determination, balancing motherhood and academics while excelling to earn three academic degrees, including a PhD in Organizational Leadership.

With decades of experience in education, she has served as a classroom teacher and instructional leader. She is currently a leader in career and technical education, where she is recognized for building high-expectation learning environments that prepare students for college, careers, and life. She is a certified teacher and leader in both South Carolina and Georgia, bringing a broad regional perspective to her leadership and consulting work.

She is the founder and CEO of LeeJane’s Consulting LLC, a professional consulting firm providing leadership development, instructional coaching, workplace skills training, and support for educators, organizations, and international professionals. Dr. McCray-Sarvis is a certified personal development and life coach through the CaPP Institute, integrating coaching frameworks that promote clarity, growth, and sustainable success.

In addition, she serves as a facilitator of Restorative Practices, supporting schools and organizations in building positive culture, strengthening relationships, and fostering accountability and belonging. She is the author of My Name is Lu-Shawn-tu: From the Womb to the Woman and Embarking on a Journey: Through the Eyes of a Poet, and hosts the podcast The Road to an Effective Classroom Environment, where she engages leaders in conversations that elevate practice, culture, and outcomes.