People
Katharine Wardle

Katharine Wardle

Assistant Head of School for Finance

Francis Parker School

San Diego, CA

Katharine Wardle joined Francis Parker in 2018. Previously, she was CFO for the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. She has over 20 years of experience in financial and operational management in not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. Other roles include serving as CFO at Mingei International Museum, CFO at the technology startup Skinit, and CFO at one of Mexico's largest dollar store chains, Waldo’s. Wardle has an MBA in international management from the Garvin International School of Business, Thunderbird School of Global Management; an MS in political science from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, England; and an MA in politics and international relations from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Wardle is also a Certified Management Accountant and a Certified Treasury Professional. She serves on the boards of the Institute of Effective Education (TIEE), CAIS accreditation review committee and CAL-ISBOA Internship initiative, and she has previously served on the boards of the Elementary Institute of Science and Planned Parenthood, San Diego. Wardle is married to Patricia Brennan, and they have three daughters.

Online Courses

Past Webinars

  • The Fine Art of Handling Conflict for Business Officers This item is protected

    December 5, 2025
    This webinar will equip attendees with practical strategies to navigate disputes with clarity and confidence, and offers actionable insights on handling complaints and resolving conflict in ways that foster collaboration and strengthen relationships.
  • Tuition, Trends, Trouble: What College Closures Signal for Independent Schools This item is protected

    November 21, 2025
    Explore financial sustainability for independent schools by analyzing college closures. Learn strategies to navigate risks and build resilience based on what may be gleaned from higher ed’s warning signs.
  • Small School, Big Solutions: Navigating Mission, Money and Innovation This item is protected

    November 7, 2025
    The financial reality of a school can deeply inform its mission. Discover how a small school's inherent need for innovation sparks powerful, scalable solutions for schools of all sizes to be nimble when resources are limited.
  • Durable Campus Planning: Aligning Vision with Strategic Purpose This item is protected

    October 24, 2025
    Learn how The Governor’s Academy aligned educational priorities with campus development in a new campus planning process that engaged the school community. The resulting plan now guides the adaptive reuse of facilities and enhanced academic programs.
  • Cyber Breach Breakdown: Risk Mitigation Tactics for Independent K-12 Schools This item is protected

    September 26, 2025
    82% of K-12 schools have experienced a cyber incident. This webinar equips business and technology leaders with practical tactics for cyber threat detection, response, and prevention, safeguarding their schools' financial and reputational integrity.

Net Assets Articles