Margaret Fortune will finally get to go to Europe. Visiting Great Britain, Paris and Italy is one of the few goals she has yet to accomplish. But it seems like she’s done everything else she’s set out to conquer.

At 36, Fortune is gracefully moving from a lead adviser for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to direct an organization that creates quality educators and continue to make vital contributions in her civic life.

However, during the transition, she’s going to take a well-deserved break from being a strong but humble leader in public education.

When she returns from her much anticipated vacation, she will begin her new job as CEO of Project Pipeline.

“Project Pipeline is an agency that is headquartered here in Sacramento,” says Fortune, the inherited leader of the organization her father, Dr. Rex Fortune founded 20 years ago. “It credentials public school teachers in shortage areas like special education, math, science, English.”

Fortune has proven her mettle in education and reform in California for nearly a decade. She was instrumental in Sacramento High School’s transformation in 2002 and successfully advocated for new funding throughout the state for school counselors, arts and music.

She conveys a sense of comfort with her decision to transition from the Governor’s “horse show” configured office to her own big desk.

“I got a job,” she chuckles when asked about her move, “I couldn’t turn it down. After working for three years for the Governor I’ve made an important contribution and felt comfortable moving on.”

As a student of political science and U.C. Berkeley graduate, Fortune keeps a very busy civic life. Since her last day in the Governor’s office she traveled to Texas to help campaign for presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Often engulfed in someone’s campaign she is proud of her efforts as a strategist increasing the Black vote in the Governor’s re-election victory. And of course she’s ready to weigh-in on Sacramento’s Mayoral race.

She says “I’m very excited about the upcoming race and am supportive of Kevin Johnson’s candidacy.”

It stands to reason that she supports her Sacramento Charter High School cohort, Johnson says of Fortune, “I’m just honored that I got a chance to work with
Margaret in the battle for Sac High. She’s a great advocate for children, not only for Sacramento but across the state.”

While the two of them are friends and have mutual respect for one another, Fortune is also politically philosophical concerning the needs of her home town, “I think it’s good for Sacramento to have a competitive Mayor’s race. Any time you have a situation where there is an heir apparent and it’s locked up before anybody ever gets a chance to cast their vote, you have to scratch your head and wonder about that. The democratic process should be about the voters getting a chance to have a full airing of the issues.”

She relates the mayor’s race, with its front runners, the incumbent, Mayor Heather Fargo and former NBA All-Star, Kevin Johnson will bring national attention to the capitol city.

The unusual dynamics of the presidential race is somewhat similar to Sacramento’s local race. Is the electorate ready for a Black male president or mayor?

“Sacramento is on the political radar screen in a way that it would not be had Kevin not made his announcement last week.” she explains, “And that has benefits … whoever is the victor in that challenge and their ability to get the job done because there’ll be a heightened level of attention to what is being talked about in Sacramento and what the issues are.”

As Fortune waxes poetic about politics, governing and public education, her poise, knowledge and commitment are being watched closely and continues to be touted by pols at all levels.

Legislative Advocate, James Sweeney credits Fortune with helping him get the Governor to acknowledge projects he’s needed action on. Praising her talents and abilities he says, “Margaret Fortune is bright and has a great reputation enhanced by a Harvard degree. She has common sense, big connections and brilliant expertise in education.”

Leaving the Governor’s office signifies her continued upward mobility and positioning to make contributions in all areas of public education. Gov. Schwarzenegger has always recognized her talents and commitment to education and once again acknowledges her skills by appointing her to the California State University Board of Trustees.

The position could very-well be just one in many more political accolades likely to be bestowed upon Fortune. A natural born leader, she credits her interest in public education and service to the leadership and accomplishments of her father, formerly the superintendent of Center Unified School year.

“I feel blessed to have a family that has dedicated itself to public service. This is work that I need to do because it’s part of my family’s commitment to the community,” she says.

Opting to attend high school in her father’s district, she proudly cherishes their closeness, “It was pretty cool to have my dad be the one to hand me my diploma when I walked across the stage. So that’s a very treasured photograph.”

As she continues the legacy of leadership in her family, speculation of her future may not be too far-fetched to predict that one day Margaret Fortune’s name appears on an election ballot. And if she comes knocking on your door for a vote, you can best believe she’ll be running on the promise of improving public education for all.