124 | 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Cari Warnock, Senior Consultant at CDW, whose journey from cowgirl to corporate is as inspiring as it is grounded in the spirit of rural America. From her beginnings on a family ranch to leading multimillion-dollar education projects, Cari shares how grit, authenticity, and a deep commitment to community have shaped her life and leadership. Listeners will hear her reflections on identity, resilience, mentorship, and the powerful “place, space, and face” philosophy that defines how she connects with others. Cari also offers practical advice for educators on grant writing, AI integration, and empowering women in STEM — reminding us that rural leadership is rooted in courage, connection, and the belief that every student deserves opportunity. 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬: 00:00 Introduction to The Rural Scoop 01:39 Carrie Warnock's Early Life and Lessons from Rural Upbringing 04:00 Overcoming Adversity: From Victim to Victor 05:56 Empathy and Leadership in Education 07:12 Respecting Diverse Identities in Rural Schools 12:00 Transitioning from Education to Corporate 14:13 Building Partnerships and Securing Grants 24:23 Empowering Women in STEM and Leadership 27:24 Embrace Learning and Take Bold Steps 28:08 Mentors Who Shaped My Leadership 30:13 Best Advice: Lean In and Never Stop 31:41 Supporting Rural Leaders with Emerging Technology 36:56 Practical Steps for Using AI in Education 39:23 Free Resources for Rural Schools 41:56 Pride in Rural Community Achievements 45:37 Reflecting on My Journey and Future 47:58 The Rural Advantage: Grit and Connection 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Cari Warnock’s story reminds us that leadership begins with heart. Her journey—from rural roots to national impact—demonstrates the strength of perseverance, empathy, and authenticity. Through her work in grants, technology, and mentorship, Cari champions the belief that rural schools are not behind — they are uniquely ahead in community, courage, and care. As Dr. Sadorf closes, she reminds listeners that the rural advantage isn’t geography — it’s grit, connection, and shared purpose. If this episode inspired you, don’t forget to like, follow, and share The Rural Scoop with someone who believes in the power of rural education. 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 & 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞: © 2026 Melissa Sadorf / The Rural Scoop. All rights reserved. The content of The Rural Scoop, including podcast episodes, audio recordings, transcripts, show notes, graphics, and other original materials, is protected by copyright. No portion of this content may be reproduced, republished, distributed, modified, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from the copyright owner. Brief quotations or other uses may be permitted under applicable fair-use principles. For permission requests, please contact: Dr. Melissa Sadorf Email: [email protected] Phone: (520) 266-0081