Leaning on the shield – Celebrating ‘women supporting women’ S3E6 (Entry Two)
Special guest spotlight:
Ms. Ardelia Aldridge is a 17-year K-12 Educator, unionist, and public school critic/advocate. Currently, she teaches middle school language arts and English language development, and she serves as a member of her site’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team. She is a recent graduate of Brandman University’s Masters in Educational leadership and Administration program and is a certified Google Educator. Her union activism has allowed her to hold various leadership positions at the local, regional, and state levels. She presently serves on her unit’s Bargaining Team and,
the California Teachers Association – Southeastern Service Center Council on Racial Equity Affairs Committee and State Council of
Ms. Tosha Bright is a marketing professional from Los Angeles, CA. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and most recently has completed the Professional Program in Producing at UCLA. For the last 13 years Tosha has worked in the entertainment industry, and is currently the Associate Director in Retail Marketing at The Walt Disney Company. Tosha is passionate about her faith, family, and friends and these days enjoys approved outdoor activities.
Ms. Adriane Hughes is a Los Angeles based licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience in administration, training and direct client care in mental health.
She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Loma Linda.
She has experience working with children, families and young adults and uses an eclectic approach to meet the unique needs of each client.
Adriane currently works in the Los Angeles Superior Court system advocating for individuals to receive mental health treatment, in lieu of jail or prison.
Throughout her career, she has found creative ways to integrate her favorite interests, entrepreneurial endeavors and clinical skills with social work and recently birthed her own private practice, New Moon Wellness, Inc.
She has strong desire to become an entrepreneur with the freedom to create a company that embodied her commitment to high quality mental health and wellness services. She chose the name New Moon because of its symbolic meaning of setting new intentions, new beginnings and rebirth.
Adriane believes that change happens when people are given the guidance needed to draw on their individual strengths and realize their potential to live fulfilling lives.
Dr. Natalie V. Nagthall is an innovation-focused higher education executive with more than 20 years of cross-sector experience spanning corporate America, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. As Dean of Career Education at Coastline College, she leads a division focused on workforce-aligned programs, high-growth technology pathways, and nationally ranked cybersecurity offerings. A Certified SCRUM Master, Dr. Nagthall brings agile methodology to program design and organizational change, and is a subject-matter expert in ethical and generative AI in education. She writes and speaks nationally on AI policy, equity, and governance in education, expertise sharpened through Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Certificate in AI for Leaders.
Dr. Nagthall is also Founder & CEO of N2V Consulting, Inc., partnering with institutions to advance human-centered AI adoption and digital transformation through coaching, workshops, and professional learning that build AI literacy and strengthen organizational strategy. Her expertise spans guided pathways, shortened academic terms, curriculum and instructional design, and culturally relevant, trauma-informed education, work that builds on her prior role as Guided Pathways Regional Director at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, in partnership with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. She currently serves as a Coach with Achieving the Dream (ATD), guiding institutions nationwide in advancing student success and equity-driven reform. Additionally, Dr. Nagthall has served as adjunct faculty at several colleges and universities, including Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology, and is a frequent guest lecturer across Southern California.