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Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither: Committed to Women’s Education
Welcome to Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy, a podcast that explores the stories of life and leadership from extraordinary women – and men – who are making a difference and creating a better world. Each episode features powerful conversations filled with personal stories, insights, and actionable advice to inspire you to lead, learn, and make a difference.
Notes:
Dr. Nancy welcomes Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither, a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and women’s empowerment, to discuss her inspiring journey from North Carolina to Los Angeles. Dr. Hines-Gaither shares how mentors, like her mother and other influential women in her life, shaped her path and ignited her mission to advance gender equity through women’s education. She highlights the transformative work at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, including The Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California, and the signature career-readiness program, (M)POWER, which helps students identify their passions and career aspirations, and provides academic guidance, career coaches, and more. The conversation explores the evolving status of women, the power of storytelling, and the importance of partnerships in driving change. Dr. Hines-Gaither emphasizes the need for collective action to create opportunities and foster a brighter future for women and girls.
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About Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither:
Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither serves as the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at Mount Saint Mary’s University, the only women’s university in Los Angeles. She oversees the Bernadette Gonzaque Robert Center for Inclusive Excellence and the Center for the Advancement of Women, which publishes the influential Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California™. An award-winning consultant on inclusion and equity, she was named a 2024 Woman of the Year by the LA County Commission for Women and received the 2024 Trailblazer Hall of Fame Legacy Award. She is also the 2026 President of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), its first African American woman leader. Fluent in Spanish and proficient in French, Dr. Hines-Gaither holds a PhD in Cultural Studies and has authored or contributed to seven books. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Julian, and their son, Giovanni.
Timestamp:
[00:03:24] Moving from North Carolina to Los Angeles
Dr. Hines-Gaither shares her path as a graduate of Salem College in North Carolina to Los Angeles, highlighting her passion for women’s education and how her role at Mount Saint Mary’s University expands her work on the West Coast.
[00:05:46] Mentors Who Shaped Her Path
Dr. Hines-Gaither reflects on the women who inspired her, including her mother, a recruiter who encouraged her to learn languages, a teacher who believed in her, and the writings of the historical figure Ida B. Wells.
[00:11:14] The Evolution of the Report
How The Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California™ adapts to how current issues affect women’s roles, with this year’s focus on the future of women in clean tech, AI, and healthcare.
[00:13:43] Women’s Leadership in California
Dr. Hines-Gaither points out California’s progress in women’s leadership, including the first all-female Board of Supervisors in Los Angeles, the first Black woman mayor, and the most women-owned businesses of any state.
[00:16:31] The Power of Partnerships
She emphasizes the importance of collaboration, storytelling, and data-driven research to find solutions to advance gender equity in our lifetime.
[00:19:30] Need for Young Women’s Leadership Programs
Dr. Nancy outlines Women Connect4Good’s new program, Connect4Impact, which brings young women together with a network of women leaders to pass the baton of leadership to the next generation.
[00:21:57] Empowering the Next Generation
An overview of Mount Saint Mary’s signature career-readiness (M)POWER program with a team of academic advisors and career coaches to equip young women with the hard and soft skills they need for leadership and career success.
[00:25:30] Sharing Resources for Change
Dr. Hines-Gaither highlights the importance of sharing data and resources and invites listeners to access all 11 of Mount Saint Mary’s Status on Women Reports, available free on the website, to drive their own initiatives.
[00:29:31] Looking Ahead
A preview of the new Report being released on March 27, with the event featuring an exceptional lineup of speakers related to the future of work for women.