Nicolas Wade

Dr. Nicolas Wade is an experienced educational leader across multiple states and diverse educational environments, currently serving as the Superintendent of Columbia Union School District in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. His leadership perspective is shaped by working with over 30 different board members and navigating unique regional challenges while consistently driving impactful change. Throughout his career, Dr. Wade has championed transformational opportunities by fostering collaboration among educational partners to improve student learning outcomes, support and retain staff, rebuild institutional trust, and cultivate a culture of innovation. Under his leadership, districts have seen measurable gains in student achievement, expanded academic and support programming, improved enrollment and attendance, balanced budgets, and strategic capital improvements. Dr. Wade actively engages in both his professional and local communities, serving on national and regional committees focused on education and innovation. He is a member of the National Center for Education Research and Technology, the Google + GSV Education Innovation Fellowship, and the California School Boards Association Artificial Intelligence Task Force. Additionally, he and his teams have presented at national and regional conferences on topics including strategic planning, instructional technology and artificial intelligence, college and career readiness, and community engagement. His work has been recognized for excellence in financial leadership, social-emotional learning, and innovative educational programming. Dr. Nicolas Wade believes that with clear expectations, intentional communication, and informed and ethical decision-making, any school or district has the ability to achieve a national caliber that best serves their students, families, and staff.