As a National Designer & Facilitator, Dr. Kendra Washington-Bass leverages her more than 30 years of education experience at every level to partner with The Leadership Academy’s school, district, and system leader clients. She designs and facilitates professional learning and coaching that centers student success, fosters a sense of purpose and agency, and helps leaders deeply reflect on their impact. She’s worked with educators at the school, district, and system levels in Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, and New York.
She began her career as an elementary and middle school teacher in her native New York City, and later became a school principal. Prior to joining The Leadership Academy, Kendra was in system leadership for nearly 15 years with Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia. There, she oversaw development initiatives for both experienced and aspiring leaders, work that laid the foundation for her expertise in designing and delivering high-impact programs for aspiring assistant principals, principals, and system leaders. Kendra’s pathway programs, aligned with intention to system priorities and instructional excellence, have advanced hundreds of educators into leadership positions.
A respected voice in the sector, Kendra is the co-author of “Unwrapped: The Pursuit of Justice for Women Educators” (2023), a book that explores why women remain underrepresented in education leadership and calls for new ways of empowering women to lead. She has also contributed to magazines and blogs and is a frequent keynote speaker and podcast guest.
Kendra holds both a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and an Educational Specialist degree from Mercer University. She also holds a Master of Science in Urban and Multicultural Education from the University of Mount Saint Vincent, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Film from the University of Notre Dame, and multiple coaching certifications. She is based in Georgia.
