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Wake County Principal Named 2026 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year
Dr. Mariah Walker, principal of Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy (WYWLA), is the 2026 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year. The announcement was made today
About this update from Wells Fargo & Company
[{"type":"text","content":" Dr. Mariah Walker, principal of Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy (WYWLA), is the 2026 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year. The announcement was made today at an awards luncheon honoring Walker and eight other regional finalists at the Umstead Hotel in Cary. “Dr. Walker is the type of leader we need in North Carolina’s public schools,” North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green said. “Dr. Walker leads her staff and students by creating a culture of respect and authenticity to foster growth in every person who enters Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy. I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Walker to uplift the good happening across North Carolina’s public schools.” With experience at nearly every grade level throughout the past two decades, Walker began her principalship at Hillburn PreK-8 Academy before her current role at WYWLA, serving young women grades 6-13 within the Wake County Public School System. Under her leadership at WYWLA, students have achieved a 100 percent graduation rate each of the past four years and exceeded growth the past two years. “A mentor, advocate, and thought leader, [Dr. Walker] fosters collaboration among school leaders and walks alongside them as they grow in their practice,” Wake County Public School System Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor shared in his recommendation. “Her broad experience gives her a grounded voice in shaping policy and strengthening systems that support both students and staff.” Uniting her colleagues through transitional operations, Walker successfully moved WYWLA’s Early College program from Saint Augustine’s University to Wake Technical Community College and now to its current home at Shaw University. Walker builds community by inviting families to be part of the work of developing young women as leaders to extend beyond the walls of WYWLA. “Wells Fargo is proud to support the North Carolina Principal of the Year program and to recognize school leaders like Dr. Mariah Walker, whose dedication is helping shape stronger futures for students, families and communities across our state,” said Juan Austin, senior vice president of Philanthropy and Community Impact for Wells Fargo. “Our longstanding commitment to North Carolina is rooted in creating opportunity, and we are honored to invest in programs that celebrate excellence in education and t...