Mariah Walker, principal of Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy (WYWLA), was named the 2026 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year during a ceremony in Cary on Friday.
Over the past two decades, Walker — a Raleigh native — has worked at nearly every grade level, according to a press release from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). She began her principalship at Hilburn PreK-8 Academy before being named principal at WYWLA in 2022. The school serves young women grades 6-13 within the Wake County Public School System.
“Dr. Walker is the type of leader we need in North Carolina’s public schools,” State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said in the press release. “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.”
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Under Walker’s leadership at WYWLA, students have achieved a 100% graduation rate each of the past four years and exceeded growth the past two years, according to the release.
“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.”
Established in 2012, WYWLA has been ranked as a top 10 middle school in the state and is a leadership magnet middle school and an early college high school all in one.
As principal, the release says 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,” the release says.
“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, in the release.
The release describes Walker as “a lifelong learner” who is a four-time NC State University graduate with a bachelor’s, two master’s, and a doctorate degree. Walker holds various leadership roles within Wake County, including currently serving as the president of the Wake County Division of Principals and Assistant Principals.
According to her principal biography page, she has also participated in post-graduate research on “academic linguistics amongst geographically diverse students and educators, female leadership at secondary schools and central offices, and underrepresentation/low performance of students in Academically and Intellectually Gifted programs.”
During her acceptance speech on Friday, Walker noted the importance of her faith, family, and students, and said “none of us do this work alone.” She spoke to ceremony attendees about the importance of purpose, people, and passion — “the reasons we do this work.”
“Being a principal is loving an entire community of children and staff, and always finding space for one more,” Walker said. “It’s choosing every single day to lead with heart, with grace, and with unwavering belief that the children we serve today will flourish and bloom and blossom into the garden of leaders tomorrow.”
She said that North Carolina’s public schools must be places where “every student, every teacher, and every single family and parent knows that there is a place” for them.
“My leadership is centered around this truth, ‘How you make room at your table determines whether your guest wants to eat,’” Walker said in the release. “At Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy, we make room for every student by confronting inequity with courage, care, and collective responsibility.”
You can listen to Walker’s full acceptance speech starting around the 1:40:00 mark in the video below.
More on Principal of the Year program
North Carolina has recognized outstanding principals through its Principal of the Year program since the 1980s, the release says, “helping promote the profession through advocacy and support while recognizing principals who are implementing best practices in schools across North Carolina.”
As the winner, Walker will spend the 2026-27 school year traveling the state as an ambassador for the profession, with financial support from Wells Fargo and DPI. She will receive a mobile device from Lenovo, an engraved award, a gift from the Carolina Hunger Initiative, and a custom-made NC Principal of the Year signet ring from Jostens, the release says. She will also be able to participate in the Truist Leadership Institute and attend the International Society for Technology in Education conference.
In addition, Walker will compete nationally for the honor of the National Association of Secondary School Principals Distinguished Principal of the Year. Her predecessor, Jason Johnson, was named National Principal of the Year last month.
On Friday, Walker was recognized alongside eight additional regional Principal of the Year finalists.
Johnson, principal of Orange High School, said each leader “represents the very best of educational leadership, making a lasting impact on their students, uplifting their schools, and strengthen their communities through their dedication, vision, and commitment to excellence.”
- Northeast: Kelly E. Flora, Nags Head Elementary School (Dare County Schools)
- Southeast: Dr. Marlow Artis, Craven Early College High School (Craven County Schools)
- Sandhills: Dr. Latreicia Allen, John Griffin Middle School (Cumberland County Schools)
- Piedmont-Triad: Dr. Darrell A. Harris, Jr., Eastern Guilford High School (Guilford County Schools)
- Southwest: LaTresha Wilson, Tuckaseegee Elementary School (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)
- Northwest: Dustin Farmer, Ashe County High School (Ashe County Schools)
- Western: Jennifer McBrayer, CHASE Middle School (Rutherford County Schools)
- Charter: Deborah Brown, The Exploris School (Raleigh)
“You all represent every corner of our state, leading elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, as well as magnet schools and early college programs,” Gov. Josh Stein said in a pre-recorded video message. “Your leadership is critical to students, teachers, families, and communities.”
You can visit the North Carolina Principal of the Year website to learn more about the program.
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