Nicole Wais is chief strategy officer at Alpha Public Schools, where she has worked in support of an exceptional education for students in East San José since 2018. Nicole’s own experience growing up in excellent public schools led her to become a strong proponent of school choice: every family should have the right to seek out the best education for their child.
Before stepping into her current role, Nicole led Alpha’s talent team, which is responsible for attracting, retaining, and developing the hardworking educators who have the privilege of serving Alpha’s students every day. Prior to joining Alpha, Nicole accumulated a range of experiences within and outside the education sector. She spent several years serving nonprofit and private sector organizations as a consultant and project leader at Boston Consulting Group. Nicole first experienced the potential and impact of charter schools while working at DC Prep, where she led the organization’s foray into data-informed instruction. She began her career as a first grade teacher in Atlanta, GA, as a part of Teach For America; in her time at Fulton County Schools, she served as grade level chair and was honored as Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year in 2009.
Nicole graduated cum laude from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in history. She holds an MBA and MA in education from Stanford University and is a graduate of the Broad Residency in Urban Education. She has called the Bay Area home since 2012 and lives in Redwood City with her husband and two daughters, who are giving her a new lens into navigating public education as a parent.
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