Carole Wacey

Carole Wacey is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Over her 30-year career, Carole has worked in  politics, policy, philanthropy, nonprofits, media,  advocacy, and academia.

In 2023, Carole transitioned from being a nonprofit Executive Director to being an Interim Executive Director to support nonprofits through a leadership change.  In this capacity, she works closely with the Board of Directors to prioritize organizational needs-- fiscal management, development, Board governance, and organizational management.

Previously, Carole led Women Creating Change (WCC) as President and Chief Executive Officer for five years.  From the outset, she focused on evolving WCC to be inclusive, impactful, relevant, and innovative. She undertook an intensive strategic planning process that led to changes in the organization’s name, vision, mission, and programs. She spearheaded a new direction for the organization that leverages its history of activism to expand opportunities for all New York City women to become civically engaged and create change in their lives and communities.

Prior to joining WCC, Carole served as the Vice President of Education at WNET where she focused on technology, interactive media, youth development and underserved youth. Carole served for ten years as Executive Director at MOUSE, a national nonprofit organization that empowers underserved youth to learn, lead and create with technology. Prior to joining MOUSE, Carole was the Director of the Interactive Media for Children (IMC) program at the Markle Foundation.

Before returning to NYC, Carole was Deputy Director of the Office of Education Technology and Senior Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education. In that capacity, she provided leadership for the Clinton Administration on the development and implementation of national educational technology policy, legislation, and program development. 

Carole is currently a mentor for New York Community Trust’s Leadership Fellows, where she helps cultivate strong nonprofit leaders.  She is also a member of the Women’s Leadership Council. 

Carole received her B.A. in Economics from the American University, and her J.D. from Vermont Law School. She has also studied public international law at Oxford University and leadership at Yale University. Carole received City & State’s 2020 Above and Beyond award in recognition of her contributions to the nonprofit sector over the previous two decades. She lives in Queens with her husband and twin boys.