50 Leading Women: Missy Bender

In honor and celebration of our Women’s Division‘s 50th Anniversary, we will be spotlighting 50 Leading Women making an impact, raising their voice, and leading the next generation of women in the workforce and Plano community.

Introducing, Missy Bender, Trustee in Residence, for Raise Your Hand Texas. Missy Bender joined Raise Your Hand Texas as the regional advocacy director for Collin and Denton counties in fall 2019. She was named Trustee in Residence in 2021. Missy previously served as a trustee on the Plano ISD Board of Trustees for 13 years, including three years as the board president. During her elected service she promoted future-focused strategic planning efforts, the transformation of instructional and learning strategies, and the addition of a full-day early childhood program in Plano ISD.

Missy currently serves on the Chairman’s Council for Texas Health Resources Plano, Southern Methodist University’s Simmons School of Education New Teacher Preparation and Counselor Preparation Advisory Councils, and Junior League of Collin County’s Public Policy Task Force. She also serves as President-Elect for the board of directors for the Plano ISD Education Foundation and the Endowment Campaign Chair for the Plano ISD Robbie and Lynore Fine Arts Center.

Missy received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Texas Association of School Boards, was recognized as a Girl Boss by Plano Magazine, received the Distinguished Leadership Award by Leadership Plano, and was named the 2018 Citizen of the Year by the Plano Chamber of Commerce.

1. Describe your leadership style and how you lead others.

I am a visionary leader. I dream big and create a shared vision of what success looks like. When leading a team, I like to define the guard rails and empower the team to work within those guard rails. Every person has a different style, and I prefer to let everyone use their natural style to pursue our shared goal.

2. How can women develop their leadership skills in the workforce?

I think that it’s fair to say that I don’t believe that no one needs to wait for an invitation to lead if that’s something that they want to do. There are 3 actions that you can take that are in your control if you want to grow your leadership skills.

1. Learn about yourself: Invest in yourself and discover more about your natural leadership style by taking a self-assessment test. This will offer insight into your natural strengths. It’s great to do this with colleagues too so that everyone can gain insight into their team strengths and dynamics.
2. Help others: Roll up your sleeves and help others by volunteering to serve on a non-profit board or by joining an organization like the Junior League of Collin County (JLCC). Both of these options allow you learn by doing. You can leverage this real-life volunteer experience you gain into your work life too.
3. Say “yes”: Accept opportunities to lead even if you worry that the task might exceed your experience to date. Lean into the opportunity and trust yourself because you will figure it out!

3. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?

The most important decisions that I make are the ones that will impact the lives of others.

 4. What has been one of your biggest joys as a leader?

One of my biggest joys is investing what I’ve learned in others, seeing them realize their potential and feel proud of what they’ve accomplished.

5. What has been your greatest career disappointment? What did you learn from it?

I experienced my greatest career disappointment when I felt that I was the best candidate for a leadership role but was not selected for it. I had to adjust, adapt, and learn how to lead from behind rather than from the front. I also had to let go of the disappointment since holding on to it was only holding me back.

6. What strategies could be used to promote inclusion in the workplace?

The diversity of experiences, backgrounds, talents, and points of view make the whole stronger and richer. Each of us can advocate for inclusion, speak up for others, and be an ally. If you’re building a team, ask yourself whose voice is missing from the table, invite them to the table, and value everyone’s voice.

7. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?

You can have it all, but it just may not all happen at the same time…and that’s okay.

8. What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders?

You deserve a seat at the table, so grab a chair and make a seat for yourself at the table. Don’t wait for an invitation!

When you believe in yourself, work hard, and do your homework others will seek out your expertise.  You will position yourself as the trusted “go-to” resource and invaluable.

9. Who inspired you and why?

My husband inspires me because he is constantly believing in me, encouraging me, and supporting me in every dream and endeavor. We’re partners in all that we do, and I know that he’s my biggest cheerleader.

10. What do you want to be remembered for? 

I would like to be remembered as a great mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend that made public education in Plano and Texas better.