Courtney Washington
Chief Communication and Community Affairs Officer
Courtney Washington is the Chief Communications & Community Affairs Officer for NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS), overseeing external communications for the district’s mostly all-charter school system, which serves over 41,000 students across 67 schools. Leading a team of eight communications professionals, she drives integrated marketing, public relations, and community engagement strategies that enhance the district’s reputation, perception, and enrollment. She is also a trusted strategist, fostering meaningful stakeholder relationships and spearheading crisis communication efforts with transparency and precision. A dynamic educational and business leader, Courtney combines her expertise in communication, marketing, and leadership with a passion for innovation. Her career spans K-12 and higher education environments, where she has made a lasting impact as both an educator and administrator. Previously, as Community Engagement Specialist for Selma City Schools in Alabama, Courtney developed district-wide communication initiatives, fostering transparency and connection. At Concordia College Alabama, she served as an Assistant Professor of Business in the Associate of Arts program where she empowered students to achieve academic and professional success. Beyond her professional roles, Courtney’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through as the founder of Beautiful Feet School of Dance, where she inspires creativity and confidence through the arts. A seasoned speaker, she has shared her expertise at national conferences, including the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Empower and the Schools Superintendent Association (AASA). Courtney’s influence extends beyond her work, as she served on several boards and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She has been recognized among Selma-Dallas County’s Twenty Under Forty inaugural honorees for her community contributions. She is actively involved in her church serving in the choir and as a youth counselor. Courtney holds a Bachelor’s in Business Marketing from the University of Alabama, a Master’s in Management from Troy State University, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Education at Concordia University Wisconsin. Her core strengths include—leadership, strategic communication, and project management. In her free time, Courtney enjoys cooking, engaging in the arts, and supporting causes that uplift her community.
