WILO’s United Nations CSW70 Virtual Presentation
WILO’s UN CSW70 Virtual Presentation
Presentation Title: Digital Mirrors: AI, Gender Stereotypes, and Global Inequity
This presentation explores how artificial intelligence (AI) serves as a digital mirror, reflecting and exposing gender stereotypes embedded within education systems and policies that disadvantage women and girls. By analyzing data from multiple sources, AI transforms complex information into clear visuals that reveal hidden educational, social, and economic inequities. The session aligns with the CSW priority theme by demonstrating how AI uncovers discriminatory practices in education and informs fair, inclusive policymaking. It also supports the review theme by showing how AI strengthens women’s participation in education leadership and decision-making, advancing gender equality and empowerment.
Date: Monday, March 9 (12:30 EST / 9:30 PST)
Location: United Nations, Commission on the Status of Women 70
(Virtual Parallel Event)
Virtual Presenters
Scott Ebbrecht, Ed.D., is an experienced higher education leader, professor, and consultant whose work bridges organizational leadership, sports/business management, and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and practice. He serves in academic leadership roles overseeing doctoral programs, mentoring dissertation chairs and candidates, and advancing rigorous, standards-aligned scholarship grounded in person-organization fit and applied research. With a professional background that spans K–12 administration, higher education leadership, and public service, he brings a systems-oriented perspective to culture development, collaborative practice, and strategic decision making. Dr. Ebbrecht is the architect of several leadership and AI integration frameworks designed to strengthen ethical implementation, organizational alignment, and instructional innovation. A frequent presenter and course designer, he is committed to developing leaders who combine relational credibility, disciplined inquiry, and practical execution to create meaningful impact across education, business, sports, healthcare, and nonprofit contexts.
Sandra Aboagye Brenyah, is a UN representative for the Women’s Federation for World Peace International in Geneva. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Human Rights and Governance at Leuphana University. Originally from Ghana and raised in Germany, she brings a strong cross-cultural perspective to her work in Human Rights and Education Policy. She serves as a civil servant in Germany and is the founder of Woman Arise and Excel, mentoring female students. She also helped initiate the first Model African Union in Germany at Rhein-Waal University.
Donna Elder, Ed.D., has been a member of the Sanford College of Education since 2007. She is a full professor and has served as faculty, Co-Chair of the Teacher Education Department, Associate Dean, and interim Dean. She is currently a faculty member in the Department of Organizational Leadership and Educational Administration. She brings experience as a public and independent schoolteacher, coordinator, principal, and superintendent of schools for three school districts in California. Additionally, she served as Director of the UCLA Laboratory School Program. She is a past president of the International Laboratory Schools Association. She has served as a leadership coach for a variety of women and men in educational leadership positions. Dr. Elder is co-editor of the textbook, Transforming into an Educational Leader, as well as an array of other publications. Dr. Elder was presented the Leadership Award by the Women in Leadership in 2016. She brings more than thirty-eight years of experience as a public and independent schoolteacher, coordinator, principal, and superintendent of schools for three school districts in California. Dr. Elder received her BS from Washington State University, her MS from Texas A&M University, and her Ed.D. in Leadership Development from the University of La Verne.
Teri Marcos, Ed.D., is Professor and Academic Program Director for the Ed.D. in Organizational Innovation and Leadership at National University. She received her doctorate in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Educational Management from University of La Verne. Having served twenty years as a Jr. high teacher, administrator, district coordinator of GATE programs, site mentor teacher and School Improvement Program Coordinator, she led teams at the state level in California undergoing state review for curricular and instructional compliance.
Dr. Marcos’s co-publication with her team in the 2025 International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership publication reports findings of a ten-year study that culminated into the Community of Care Framework for Urban School Leaders. She serves as a reviewer for the American Education Research Association (AERA) and as Executive Editor for the Action Research Network of the Americas biannual publication – Supporting the Teaching of Action Research. Dr. Marcos was awarded LAUSD’s Professor of the Year in 2016.
Dina Pacis: Ed.D., serves as Vice President of the Women in Leadership Organization, Inc. (WILO), an international NGO dedicated to advancing the educational rights and leadership opportunities of women and girls worldwide. Through her advocacy and service including participation as a delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, she works to elevate global dialogue around equity and access in education.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Dr. Pacis is Professor and Chair of the Department of Organizational Leadership and Educational Administration in the Sanford College of Education at National University. A former PK–12 educator and administrator with nearly 30 years of experience, she is deeply committed to equity, diversity, and social justice. She holds a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in literacy and continues to advance research and practice supporting marginalized communities.
Jennifer Preimesberger, Ed.D., is an Associate Professor in the Sanford College of Education at National University and former Director of the Center for Innovation, Development, Evaluation, and Research (CIDER). Her career spans classroom teaching, site administration, and higher education leadership, providing her with a comprehensive and globally informed perspective on educational practice and policy. She began as a classroom teacher and advanced to roles as assistant principal and principal, overseeing school operations, mentoring faculty, and leading the development of inclusive curricula responsive to diverse learners.
Dr. Preimesberger’s leadership is grounded in advancing equity and elevating the status of women in education, with particular emphasis on women in leadership in the United States and globally. She integrates research, innovation, and international collaboration to strengthen women’s leadership capacity, expand access and opportunity, and promote institutional cultures where women leaders thrive. Through scholarship, mentorship, and program development, she advances educational excellence and systemic change worldwide.
Nilsa J. Thorsos, Ph.D., is a professor of education and chair of the Teacher Education Department at National University. Her areas of academic interest include literacy, bilingualism, special education, teacher preparation, and mentoring faculty and leaders in Higher Education. She is an experienced teacher and university professor. Dr. Thorsos served as president of the California Association of Professors of Special Education (CAPSE). Her scholarship includes paper presentations in international and national venues on topics related to education. She is the author of several articles, book chapters, and the editor of books in the field of education. Dr. Thorsos serves as co-editor for the Issues in Teacher Education Journal.
PTraynorNilsen@nu.edu
Patricia Nilsen-Traynor, Ed.D. is an accomplished educational leader, professor, and advocate for women in leadership with over 33 years in K–12 public education and more than 20 years in higher education. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to developing ethical, transformative leaders and advancing equitable opportunities for women, directly aligning with WILO’s mission to support the status of women in the United States and globally, particularly in leadership.
She began as an English and Physical Education teacher and Adapted Physical Education Specialist, advancing to counselor, assistant principal, principal, director, and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. She led school turnaround efforts, built Professional Learning Communities, reduced suspensions and campus violence, increased attendance, strengthened parent engagement, and partnered with teacher associations to improve practice, centering equity and inclusion.
Since 2015, she has served as Professor at National University, teaching Organizational Leadership, coordinating credential programs, mentoring administrators, leading accreditation aligned curriculum, and advancing global scholarship on ethical leadership and gender equity.