Originally from Memphis, Wendy’s journey into education was deeply personal. She moved to Connecticut in 11th grade through a scholarship from A Better Chance, a nationally recognized program that places high-performing students of color in some of the country’s top schools. This opportunity set her on a path to Harvard University, where she earned a degree in history. She went on to earn an MBA in corporate management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a Master’s in education policy from Penn’s Graduate School of Education. Her early career spanned leadership roles in corporate growth and strategy, including positions at Mattel, a tech startup, Edmunds.com, and a division of Experian.

In 2016, Wendy was selected as a FUSE Executive Fellow by Superintendent Mike Hanson to support Career Technical Education initiatives at Fresno Unified School District. FUSE is a national nonprofit that partners with local governments to drive systemic change in communities. Through this work, she discovered the potential for synergy between business and education—and the urgency of applying that synergy to support students.

From her earliest days at the district, Wendy was trusted by top leaders to build and shape a variety of programs. In 2020, she established The Foundation for Fresno Unified Students from the ground up, building an organization designed to bring resources, innovation, and access to the district’s 70,000 students. While traditional paths into education leadership often prioritize academic credentials alone, Wendy’s combination of business expertise and education policy experience positioned her to take a different approach. Her leadership emphasizes accountability and student-centered design. Rather than conforming to outdated models, she challenges systems to move faster, work smarter, and always stay focused on what’s best for students.

Wendy McCully is not just a leader—she’s a builder. From boardrooms to classrooms, she creates what doesn’t yet exist and brings bold ideas to life. Through The Foundation and her broader work in the community, she is showing what’s possible when strategy and purpose come together in service of students.

Education is the greatest equalizer—when done right.

Every child deserves access to quality education, free from systemic barriers that have nothing to do with their ability or potential. Wendy believes that the status quo in education is not just flawed—it is failing students. She challenges outdated models, fights for accountability, and ensures that students, not bureaucracy, remain at the center of decision-making.

• Our kids are worth our investment. They are brilliant, capable, and deserving of access to the best opportunities.
• Change is possible. The barriers in education are systemic, not inevitable. They can be dismantled—it just shouldn’t be this hard.
• Students deserve a seat at the table. Education is the only industry that doesn’t consult its consumers—Wendy is changing that.
• Accountability is non-negotiable. Schools receive billions in funding, yet outcomes remain stagnant. That’s unacceptable.
• A business mindset belongs in education. Efficiency, strategy, and innovation can rebuild a broken system.

This work is personal. Wendy is fulfilling a lifelong purpose, driven by a belief that education changes lives, just as it changed hers.

A system where every student has the resources, representation, and real opportunities they need to thrive.

Wendy McCulley envisions an education system that empowers, equips, and elevates students—not one that limits them. Her work is rooted in a fundamental truth: talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Her vision is clear:

• Schools that prepare students for real-world success—academically, professionally, and personally.
• Teachers who are empowered, not burdened—equipped with both subject expertise and cultural competency.
• A system that moves at the speed of need—removing bureaucracy and putting students first.

Communities that invest in education as their greatest asset—because student success fuels regional success.