Wendy Kopp is an American social entrepreneur renowned for her dedication to educational equity. In 1989, she founded Teach For America, a nonprofit organization that recruits recent college graduates to teach in underserved communities across the United States. Building on this model, she co-founded Teach For All in 2007, a global network aiming to expand educational opportunities worldwide. Wendy has received numerous accolades for her work, including honorary doctorate degrees from several universities.

Wendy Kopp was born on June 29, 1967, in Austin, Texas, and raised in a privileged area of Dallas. She attended Highland Park High School, known for its academic excellence. During her time at Princeton University, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. While at Princeton, Wendy was actively involved in extracurricular activities, including serving on the boards of Business Today and the University Press Club. It was during her undergraduate studies that she became increasingly aware of the disparities in the American education system, particularly the inequities faced by students in low-income communities. This realization deeply influenced her academic focus and career aspirations.

In her senior year at Princeton, Wendy Kopp authored a thesis titled "An Argument and Plan for the Creation of the Teachers Corps," in which she proposed the establishment of a national teaching corps to address educational inequity. Convinced that recent graduates were eager to make a meaningful impact, she believed that channeling their energy into teaching underserved communities could drive significant change. Determined to turn her vision into reality, Wendy embarked on fundraising efforts, reaching out to corporate leaders and philanthropists. Her perseverance paid off when she secured initial funding, leading to the launch of Teach For America in 1990 with 489 corps members placed in various regions, including New York and Los Angeles. The organization's success in recruiting and training passionate educators demonstrated the viability of her model. Building on this momentum, Wendy co-founded Teach For All in 2007, aiming to adapt and implement the Teach For America approach globally. Her innovative leadership has since mobilized thousands to work towards educational equity, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of education reform.