Episode 242: Building the Bench - Leadership Growth with Dr. Dan Hornick

In this special on-location episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Daniel Hornick, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools in Virginia. Together, they unpack what it truly takes to grow future leaders in education, the realities of superintendent leadership today, and the balance between leading your board, your organization, and yourself.

Dr. Hornick shares insights on:

• Building a leadership pipeline through intentional coaching and “grow-your-own” development.
• Managing the dichotomy between leading a district and leading a school board.
• The value of trust, transparency, and reflection in effective leadership.
• How partnering with an outside coach has elevated confidence, clarity, and consistency across his district’s leadership teams.

This conversation goes beyond education—it’s about how any organization can strengthen its leadership culture through trust, reflection, and clarity of purpose.

Connect with Dr. Dan Hornick:

LinkedIn | X (@DanHornick)

Orange County Public Schools on LinkedIn

Connect with Dr. Darrin Peppard:

Visit darrinpeppard.com to explore his keynotes, leadership workshops, and coaching programs designed for school and corporate teams.