About Us
Connecting, Learning, and Sharing Wisdom.
Gary and Corrinne’s passion for education sparked an idea for a podcast, and with the launch of the Educational Leadership Podcast in 2021, their dream became a reality. The instant success of their podcast showed them the diversity and unique perspectives of leadership in different school districts, but one common thread remained: the desire to serve students and teachers.
Fueled by this passion and a foundation of spreading positivity in education, they decided to team up Bonnie, Rachael, and Todd, who have a similar passion. And they decided to expand their reach to the entire U.S.
Through this collaboration, Wise Pies was born. Now you will hear from leaders across the United States, and not just limited to K-12.
Meet With Our Team
Gary.
Meet Gary – a seasoned business strategist with a passion for driving growth and transformation.
For nearly two decades, Gary has helped businesses of all sizes overcome challenges and reach new heights through creative and innovative strategies.
He also has a keen interest in mergers and acquisitions, as well as marketing.
Gary’s lifelong pursuit of learning has taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and Wharton, where he received executive education in management and leadership.
Beyond his professional achievements, Gary is also deeply committed to fostering collaboration between businesses, communities, and public education.
His passion for public education stems from his own experiences growing up in an underprivileged area, and he firmly believes that everyone deserves a chance to succeed.
When he’s not busy transforming businesses, you can find Gary spending time with his family, devouring the latest business books, or working on his next writing project – he’s even written an Amazon Bestseller.
Corinne.
Meet Corinne French – the UNT Alum and Student Services Coordinator extraordinaire!
She’s the mastermind behind the Eagle Advantage Program, transition programs for high schoolers, and college workshops that make education exciting. She’s also the Beyoncé of educational advocacy, with her Women in Leadership workshop and Educational Leadership Podcast co-hosti
As a former Valley View ISD board member and Texas Association of School Board Members’ director, she encourages creating equal opportunities for all students.
When not making education fun and equitable, she’s thrifting, playing with rescue dachshunds, or tending to her garden.
Rachael.
Meet Rachael Kirkland – she has been finding-funding for public school leaders since 2011!
A product of the Texas public school system, Rachael’s love for learning was fostered by her teachers and coaches.
With a top honors degree from Baylor University and three children attending Texas public schools, Rachael is dedicated to finding innovative funding solutions for public school leaders.
When not helping run her husband’s medical practice or serving on non-profit boards, Rachael loves deep conversations and helping others recognize their value.
If you’re a public school leader in need of funding solutions, Rachael’s your go-to gal – and who knows, you might just leave the conversation with a new sense of self-worth and inspiration to make a difference!
Bonnie.
Meet Bonnie, Bonnie – a superhero in the world of education funding!
Since 2016, Bonnie has been working her magic with schools to help them secure the funding they need to make a real difference in the lives of their students.
As someone who understands just how important it is to stay up-to-date on the latest policies and events in education, Bonnie is a real go-getter when it comes to learning and sharing knowledge with others.
She’s even had the chance to mentor high school students, and she loves nothing more than encouraging them to make wise decisions and follow Christ.
She’s even had the chance to mentor high school students, and she loves nothing more than encouraging them to make wise decisions and follow Christ.
But don’t let all that work talk fool you – Bonnie is all about family and fun too!
As a devoted wife and mother, she knows that life is all about enjoying those precious moments with loved ones. When she’s not out there slaying the education funding game, Bonnie loves to whip up a delicious meal and spend time with friends and family.
With her infectious energy and passion for education, Bonnie is the kind of person you definitely want on your team!
Todd.
Get ready to meet Todd Porter – the master of energy management with a unique twist!
He’s been rocking the energy management world since 1995 and has a real knack for designing optimal systems that actually work.
But Todd realized that the biggest challenge isn’t technical, it’s about getting people to make lasting changes.
So he completed Case Western’s masters’ program in Positive Organization Development to explore the dynamics of change in human systems.
With a creative background in Electrical Engineering and music, Todd brings a unique set of expertise to the table – Relational, Artistic, and Technical!
Combining these areas, he’s been leading compassionate communication workshops based on Nonviolent Communication, helping everyone from school district leaders to conference participants create positive impacts that last.
Todd’s conviction is that empathic connection between human beings enables us to create the world we long for – a world in which everyone has what they need.
And with his work on “Conversations That Connect,” he’s helping people do just that. No matter your goal or where you are, Todd can help you make a lasting impact that will change the world!
What Our Founders Believe
We believe that every student has the right to be served regardless of background, income, or location.
We believe that you cannot rely on only one source of funding for school districts.
We believe that communities, businesses, and school districts must work together to solve the difficult challenges in education.
We believe that students and leadership must have a growth mindset and
never stop learning We believe that with love for our students, teachers, leadership, and
God, anything is possible.
Some May Falsely Believe
We understand that you might be feeling like your voice doesn’t matter when it comes to the education system. You might be thinking that you’re not a school board member or school superintendent, so you don’t have any impact. But we want to let you know that your opinion is just as valuable as anyone else’s.
If you care about education, your voice matters and we want to hear it. Your story could be the one that helps someone else, and your insights could be the ones that spark change.
Our Sponsor
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GOAL FOR SCHOOLS AND MINISTRIES
