What does it really take to lead, stay organized, and find your path—even when the future feels uncertain? In this first episode of the Teen Exec Podcast—part of our Leadership Journey track—host Natalya Lucas, a high school student and founder of Teen Exec, and her mom Dr. Stacy Smith talk with Dr. Karen Zaleski, Superintendent of Weston Public Schools.

Dr. Zaleski shares:

How being a teen today compares with when she was in high school
The pressures (and opportunities) that come with social media
Why surrounding yourself with the right people matters
What it means to lead by example
Her own story of shifting from medicine to psychology to education—and how teens can explore passions without fear

She also opens up about time management strategies, the importance of communication skills, and the one piece of advice she’d give her teenage self.

Whether you’re trying to balance school, activities, and friends—or figuring out what kind of leader you want to become—this conversation offers practical insights you can use right now.

Many thanks to the Weston Media Center for helping us record and edit this episode.

Resources & Links:

Dr. Zaleski's biography
Weston Public Schools
Teen Exec
From the Teen Exec blog: How my first podcast episode challenged from executive functioning skills
Visit TeenExec.com for blog posts, tools, and upcoming workshops
Join Teen Exec on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Finding Your Path: A Superintendent’s Advice for Teens