Wendy Hawkins

Wendy Hawkins is Executive Director of the Intel Foundation. 

The Intel Foundation is active worldwide, awarding grants totaling approximately $45 million each year and focusing on STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), increasing opportunities for girls, women, and under-represented minorities, and supporting the philanthropic efforts of Intel’s employees in education, their communities, and in response to disasters around the world.

In addition to 20-plus years managing education philanthropy for Intel, she has developed and managed numerous global, national and local education programs, including The Intel Teach Program, a global teacher professional development initiative which has helped more than 10 million teachers worldwide develop the technical skills and resources to eliminate the walls around their classrooms and bring the world to their students’ fingertips, giving them the skills they will need to thrive in the 21st century. She is responsible for the Intel Science Talent Search, the most prestigious high school science competition in the US, and the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, the largest and most admired competition of its type in the world. She is frequently sought out as a speaker, writer, advisor, and consultant in education, philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. 

Wendy holds a degree in Psychology and German Studies from Stanford University where she graduated with distinction. Prior to joining Intel, she managed residential education programs at Stanford, and was director of development and membership at the World Affairs Council of Oregon.

Wendy’s personal passions and interests have ranged from work as a stage actress and vocal performer, to starting and managing farmers’ markets, including the largest in both Illinois and Oregon. She has been active in public education funding reform and led three successful election campaigns. She was even a finalist to replace Ann Landers as advice columnist for the Chicago Sun Times! Wendy is married to Tom, a physicist, and is mother of two adult sons, one a middle school teacher, the other a computer scientist.