About

Dr. Joan Wade serves as the Executive Director of the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA). Her journey with AESA began in 2016, but her commitment to educational excellence dates back to the past 40 years. For 15 years, Dr. Wade served as the CEO of a regional Educational Service Agency (ESA) in Wisconsin, where she spearheaded visionary initiatives and system redesign efforts aimed at shaping the future of education.

During her tenure in Wisconsin, Dr. Wade led school districts and Educational Service Agencies through transformative visioning and system design processes. Among her notable achievements was a comprehensive study on the Next Generation of Schools, culminating in an annual symposium that showcased cutting-edge practices in forward-thinking education.

Dr. Wade's visionary leadership extended to AESA, where she facilitated a similar redesign process to prepare the organization for the Next Generation of AESA. Her dedication to pushing the boundaries of educational excellence has left an indelible mark on the field.

Before her time in Wisconsin, Dr. Wade made significant contributions to her community by serving as a State Representative in the Wisconsin State Legislature from 1998 to 2001. Her diverse background includes roles as a Distance Learning Director, Technology Coordinator, Library Media Specialist, and Elementary Teacher in Wisconsin.

Dr. Wade's academic journey includes a doctorate from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. Her commitment to education and her futuristic thinking continue to drive positive change in the field.