By Mehrane Mokdad, Board President

Bridging is my new favorite term of the year! I see it as the art of connecting perspectives and bringing people together. This endeavor is deeply personal to me. Coming from a multicultural background and having lived in various parts of the world, I have witnessed the power of acceptance, tolerance, and understanding. Growing up, my family celebrated the richness of different cultures, each with unique traditions, practices, and views. At times, we also grappled with the complexities that differences can bring. These experiences have taught me to appreciate diversity and understand how thoughtful dialogue, tolerance, and grace can help overcome divisions and celebrate our differences. In diversity and difference, there is beauty and richness—if we seek it with an open mind and a generous heart!

In a world where polarization often makes the headlines, bridging perspectives has never been more pressing. Whether encouraging open dialogue in classrooms, considering diverse viewpoints in decision-making, or bringing people together for meaningful collaboration, connecting across differences is both a challenge and a necessity. As Board Chair, I see this as a cornerstone of our work.

The Board’s Role: A Pillar of Inclusive and Diverse Decision-Making

In its leadership role, the Eastside Prep Board bridges diverse perspectives, ensuring stability and driving the organization to new heights. Our work is strategic, relational, and ambassadorial. We lead the way, set the tone, and steer the ship. This work requires us to lean into discomfort, confront our assumptions, and model the very dialogue we hope to inspire in others.

Building a Culture of Respectful Dialogue

Bridging perspectives means fostering a culture of respectful dialogue. It is so easy to retreat to spaces where our own beliefs are constantly affirmed—the dreaded echo chambers—but as a Board, we strive to do the opposite: we create an environment where differing opinions are welcomed and valued. “If we all think the same, someone isn’t thinking,” has always been my guiding principle.

This begins with how we approach our discussions. In meetings, we approach disagreements with curiosity rather than defensiveness. We treat debates as opportunities to collaborate, not competitions to win. We hold closed sessions where everyone feels heard. We maintain the confidentiality of our conversations to ensure everyone can freely engage and share ideas. While this isn’t always easy, it has helped us tackle complex issues with an open mind and humility.

The effects of this approach ripple outward. When the Board sets an example of open, free, and respectful dialogue, it influences the entire school culture. Faculty, staff, students, and parents/guardians benefit from an environment where empathy and understanding are prioritized.

The Power of Listening

One of the most underestimated skills in bridging perspectives is listening. This means hearing each other out by sharing perspectives without judgment. Judgment, labeling, and cancelling are antidotes of free expression. On the other hand, expressing without listening is a missed opportunity.

True connection begins when we ensure everyone feels heard. As a Board, we stay connected to our community through our ambassadorial role, connecting authentically with parents, and gathering input through updates, surveys, and conversations that help us understand concerns and the collective pulse.

When our Board recently crafted the school’s strategic priorities, we began by simply listening—yes, just listening and gathering information. Listening is one of our greatest strengths! In focus groups, we heard areas of consensus and points of tension. Rather than letting these differences drive us apart, we saw them as opportunities for growth. By listening with care, we forged solutions that respected diverse perspectives, bringing us closer to a shared vision.

Fostering a Shared Vision

One of the Board’s most important roles is fostering a shared vision that reflects the values and aspirations of the school while embracing the diversity of our community. This involves understanding current needs and anticipating future challenges and opportunities.

Our strategic planning process engaged various stakeholders to ensure all voices were heard. Together, we created a vision that reflects and honors community strengths and aspirations. This shared vision guides decision-making and helps us align diverse perspectives toward a common goal. It also reinforces the importance of trust in the process, trust in one another, and trust in the institution’s ability to grow and adapt.

Adaptability: A Cornerstone of Organizational Resilience

In today’s rapidly evolving world, where technological advancements, market dynamics, and societal shifts occur at an unprecedented pace, adaptability is no longer optional; it is a critical component of long-term success. For boards, the ability to anticipate, respond to, and thrive amid uncertainty requires a deliberate strategy rooted in flexibility and open-mindedness.

A board composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is better positioned to foresee potential challenges and opportunities. This diversity acts as a catalyst for innovative thinking, allowing the organization to view situations from multiple angles. This collaborative approach encourages proactive strategies rather than reactive measures, enabling the organization to pivot when needed without losing sight of its core mission and values.

Many Minds, One Brain

The Board thrives on collective intelligence—the wisdom that emerges when diverse minds collaborate. By bringing together trustees with varied expertise and perspectives, we foster critical thinking and innovative solutions. Diversity of thought is not just a value but a key to creativity and innovation.

Trustees join the Board not only for their skills and their commitment to the Mission, but also for the diverse wisdom they bring. They challenge assumptions, ask robust questions, and prioritize listening. We strongly believe that diverse teams are more resilient and capable of unlocking new ideas—a principle we see in action on our Board. By pooling our knowledge and skills, we elevate decision-making and create smarter, more adaptable outcomes.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, the Board remains committed to embedding the ethos of bridging perspectives into every aspect of our work. This decision underscores our dedication to creating an inclusive and collaborative environment. At its core, bridging perspectives is about more than resolving disagreements or finding common ground. It is about building a community that values diversity, respects complexity, and works together toward a brighter future. Progress happens when we work together over a bridge, not across a valley. With stronger connections, and authentic dialogue, we build a resilient, dynamic, and thriving school community for generations to come.