Heather Wendling is a passionate advocate for students and for transforming the arc of education. She has deep experience and expertise working across the nation with authorizers, boards, and schools to catalyze an ecosystem where innovation and excellence can thrive.

As Vice President of Professional Services, Heather leads the Institute’s efforts to encourage, equip, and support the people and organizations that authorize, govern, and lead charter schools. Heather excels in providing strategic and actionable solutions that leaders can use to propel their work and successfully navigate the internal and external pressures that come with change.

Heather knows education. She was recruited early in her career by Teach for America and spent eight years working in charter and district elementary and middle schools as a special education teacher, coordinator, and instructional coach. She led the charter application and development process for the State University of New York as it grew to be the largest university authorizer of charter schools in America. She then joined WestEd where she played an instrumental role in founding and growing NY-RISE, providing technical assistance and professional development to over 350 schools.

Most recently, Heather served as Vice President of Consulting Services for the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, where she developed resources, tool kits, and provided hands-on support to strengthen authorizing practices and outcomes for students.

Heather earned her BA in Political Science from SUNY Stony Brook University, her MST degree from Pace University, and her JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law.