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

  • Effortless Efficiency: Payroll to Performance This item is protected

    April 13, 2026
    Efficiency is paramount through the entire Human Resources function. In this webinar, HR leaders and business officers will explore how to streamline workforce management from payroll processing to performance evaluation.
  • Mission (and Margin) Possible: Leveraging Campus Assets This item is protected

    March 30, 2026
    From summer programs and rentals to strategic partnerships, schools can unlock new income streams. This webinar explores practical strategies to maximize underutilized assets, assess operational readiness, and design sustainable initiatives.
  • Blending Respect and Efficiency in the Business Office This item is protected

    February 20, 2026
    Join members of NBOA’s volunteer Human Resources Council for a practical discussion on strategies to safeguard your working hours without compromising collegial relationships —all while saving time.
  • Facing the Aftermath of Disaster: Lessons & Preparedness Strategies This item is protected

    February 6, 2026
    Hear firsthand experience navigating the Palisades Fire and discover practical lessons in evacuation, business continuity, board governance and emergency response planning to help your organization prepare for the unexpected.
  • Business Office & Admissions Partnering on Net Tuition Revenue This item is protected

    January 23, 2026
    It’s essential to manage enrollment and financial aid in a consistent, sustainable and predictable way — but doing so can be complex and challenging. Learn how established sustainable net tuition revenue targets support mission, program and budget.

Net Assets Articles

  • Endowment Spend Policy: Methodology Matters

    April 17, 2026
    Which of the three most common methodologies most closely align with your school’s goals?
  • Benchmarking Business Office Staff This item is protected

    April 14, 2026
    Average salaries of hybrid staff were generally higher than in-person or remote staff, according to NBOA’s BIIS data analysis tool.
  • When Trust Needs Rebuilding, Reset the Story

    April 7, 2026
    What a high‑profile reset reveals about letting go of what no longer works — and why that matters for schools.
  • Controlling Construction Costs This item is protected

    April 6, 2026
    As costs for materials and labor rise, school leaders are turning to planning, partnerships, and contract management to deliver projects on time and on budget.
  • Working with the Wolf Pack

    April 6, 2026
    Handling school zoo insurance and staffing is one thing—helping handle wild animals is definitely another.