Staff Bios
Ann Denlinger, President
A former classroom teacher, principal and superintendent who has worked in Wake, Wilson and Durham counties, President Ann Denlinger assumed the leadership role at Wake Ed on May 1, 2007. Denlinger most recently worked as a senior associate at the Schlechty Center for Leadership and School Reform helping teachers, administrators, superintendents, school board members and community leaders improve public schools throughout the United States. Previously, she served as superintendent of Durham Public Schools from 1997 to 2006, making her one of the longest-serving superintendents in North Carolina. During her tenure, student achievement increased substantially on measures including end-of-grade tests, SAT scores and dropout rates.
Denlinger was the first woman to be named the N.C. Superintendent of the Year in 2000 and was the first superintendent to receive the prestigious Durham Chamber of Commerce Civic Honor Award in 2003. She became the sixth recipient of the Jay Robinson Leadership Award in 2006, given by the Public School Forum of North Carolina in recognition of her deep commitment to helping all children achieve higher levels of performance.
Before coming to Durham, Denlinger served as superintendent of Wilson County Schools. She previously served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Wake County Public School System, after working as a principal and teacher in the former Raleigh City Schools for more than 20 years. She earned an associate of arts degree from Peace College and holds both a doctorate and a master's degree in education administration from Campbell University. Denlinger grew up in Fuquay-Varina and attended public schools there.
Jackie Brown, Director of Communications
Jackie Brown is responsible for managing and directing the organization's external and internal communications. Additionally, Jackie creates communications strategies, coordinates marketing and public relations efforts and serves as the media contact for the organization. Additionally, she works closely with the vice president of development to ensure that the marketing and communications efforts are tightly focused in support of the current fundraising objectives.
Jackie graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in public relations. She is currently pursing her Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in management from Campbell University.
Fran
Carruthers, Vice President of Development
Fran Carruthers is responsible for the design and implementation of the Annual Campaign for Education, which engages more than 500 volunteers, interns and collaborative partners to successfully meet the current goal of $1 million in revenue. Support to the Annual Campaign for Education is provided by corporations and individuals who share Wake Education Partnership’s mission of uniting community resources for quality public education for all of Wake County’s children.
Joining the Partnership staff in 2000, Fran has previously served as Coordinator of the Food for Thought Grants program and as Special Events Coordinator. Fran graduated from St. Andrews College with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and additionally holds an RN degree in psychiatric nursing.
Julie Crain , Vice President of Programs
As Vice President of Programs, Julie Crain is responsible for managing and implementing the Partnership’s Program of Work. In addition, Julie coordinates the organization’s research strategies and manages the Quality Matters Committee. She also works closely with the Director of Programs.
Julie taught English in Wake County Schools for 12 years at Fuquay-Varina High School and is a National Board Certified teacher. At her school, she served as chair of the School Improvement and Leadership Teams. Julie graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English education as a N.C. Teaching Fellow and a master's degree in English education. She is a past Kenan Fellow (2001-2003). Presently, Julie also works with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as an assessor trainer. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Educational Research and Policy Evaluation at NC State University.
Barbara Miles, Administrative Assistant 
Barbara Miles provides administrative and operational support to the president, staff and board members. Her administrative experience draws from 12 years in corporate business. She graduated with honors from North Carolina Wesleyan College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Joseph
W. Peel, Executive Director, Triangle Leadership Academy
Dr. Joe Peel serves as director of the Triangle Leadership Academy (formerly Wake Leadership Academy). The Academy began as a joint venture between the Wake County Public School System and Wake Education Partnership and has expanded to include the school districts in Johnston County, Durham County, Orange County and Chapel Hill/Carrboro. Joe has more than 34 years of successful experience in public education in the state of North Carolina. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent, working in the public school systems in Charlotte and Elizabeth City.
During his superintendency, he and the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public School System were instrumental in developing and piloting the North Carolina accountability model and in leading the State’s initiative to develop performance assessment standards. Joe has earned such awards as Superintendent of the Year and Principal of the Year. He has presented at a numerous conferences and has published articles in journals including the Phi Delta Kappan. Joe holds a doctoral degree and an educational specialist degree in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a bachelor’s degree in German education from Davidson College. He has also completed studies at the Universitat Erlangen/Nurnberg and the Goethe Institut in Germany.
Candace
Wolfenbarger, Director of Programs 
As Director of Programs, Candace Wolfenbarger has responsibility for managing Skills for Life, a three year grant from the Public Education Network. Candace works with the school system, parents, and community based organizations to implement district-wide healthy lifestyle initiatives for Wake County middle school students. Additionally, Candace designs and manages the Wake Regional Education Roundtable Series in conjunction with the 12 Chambers of Commerce in our county, and coordinates the Food for Thought Teacher Grants program for Wake County teachers.
Candace graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor's degree in Public and Interpersonal Communications. Her additional coursework in the College of Education strengthened her interests in public schools, leading her to an internship with the Partnership in the fall of 2004 and a full-time position in 2005.