Gail Wiseman serves as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of One City Schools in Madison, Wisconsin, where she leads both operations and external relations efforts. Since joining One City Schools in December 2019, Wiseman has been instrumental in driving the organization's growth and community engagement, bringing over two decades of diverse professional experience to her role. Her journey with One City began as Director of Business Partnerships, quickly advancing to Vice President of External Relations in 2020 before assuming her current position as COO in September 2023.
Prior to joining One City Schools, Wiseman built a strong foundation in organizational leadership and relationship building through various roles. She served as Director of Member Relations at the Institute of Food Technologists in Chicago, where she managed relationships with over 500 volunteer leaders across 55 geographical sections and 28 divisions. Her experience also includes work as a licensed insurance agent with Aflac in Madison, where she honed her skills in business development and client relations while managing a $2 million book of business.
What sets Wiseman apart is her unique background as a former professional ballet dancer, which has informed her leadership style with discipline, creativity, and attention to detail. A graduate of the University of Michigan and a Certified Association Executive (CAE), she brings both formal expertise and artistic sensibility to her work. Her connection to One City Schools runs deep, having served as a founding board member from 2013 to 2016 before joining the organization in an executive capacity.
As COO, Wiseman oversees the day-to-day operations of One City's schools while maintaining her focus on external relations and community partnerships. Her leadership is characterized by a strategic mindset and strong relationship-building skills, which have been crucial in securing community support and resources for One City's educational programs. A mother of two and grandmother of four, she brings a personal understanding of the importance of quality education to her work, making her an effective advocate for One City's mission to provide innovative, high-quality education to all students.
