Dr. Mariah Walker is the 2026 North Carolina Principal of the Year and serves as principal of Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy (WYWLA), a public Early College high school in Raleigh, North Carolina. A North Carolina Teaching Fellow and four-time graduate of North Carolina State University, Dr. Walker is a passionate advocate for public education and a proud Wolfpack member—Go Pack! Her leadership is grounded in relationships, high expectations, and a deep belief in the transformative power of education. She is committed to creating rigorous and supportive learning environments where students are empowered to lead, achieve, and see themselves as capable of accomplishing extraordinary things.
As a proud North Carolinian, mom, educator, and community member, Dr. Walker has a deep love for North Carolina and the people who call it home. Giving back and creating opportunities that empower youth, strengthen communities, and support all North Carolina families remain at the heart of her work. She is committed to elevating student and educator voices, strengthening public schools, and ensuring that young people across North Carolina have access to the opportunities, relationships, and resources they need to thrive. Through her leadership, Dr. Walker hopes to inspire the next generation of North Carolina leaders while helping build a stronger future for the state she loves.