The Los Angeles County Office of Education is proud to announce that Wendy Sinnette, Superintendent of the La Cañada Unified School District, has been selected as the 2025 Los Angeles County Superintendent of the Year. Sinnette’s recognition reflects her extraordinary leadership, unwavering commitment to student success and transformative impact on education in the region. Dr. Duardo surprised Superintendent Sinnette with the news at the district this morning. The California Credit Union also presented Superintendent Sinnette with a $1,000 check for the district.

“Superintendent Sinnette is a shining example of what exceptional educational leadership looks like,” said Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools. “Her innovative spirit, deep compassion and steadfast commitment to students have left an indelible mark on her district and the broader educational community.” 

For nearly 15 years, Wendy Sinnette has led LCUSD with vision, resilience and a student-centered approach. Her tenure has been marked by groundbreaking initiatives such as the district’s partnership with Stanford’s Challenge Success and the launch of the Wellness and Belongingness initiative, which prioritized mental health, trusted adult relationships and school connectedness. 

"When they told me the news, what was immediately evident to me, though, is that any recognition I receive is a direct testimony to the outstanding leadership of the Governing Board, our amazing students, our talented and hardworking teachers, staff, and administrators, and our wonderfully supportive families and community," said Superintendent Wendy Sinnette. "I am blessed by the LCUSD community and our shared commitment to providing a world class educational experience to our students delivered in a climate of care and belongingness - that is truly special and something that I am grateful for each and every day."

Sinnette’s dedication to student opportunity is exemplified by her leadership in creating the state-of-the-art La Cañada High School College and Career Center, a vibrant space that reimagined an underutilized campus area into a hub for student growth and planning. 

Her open-door policy and deep community engagement have fostered strong public-private partnerships, raising millions in support of arts, STEM, counseling and enrichment programs. Her strategic collaboration with local agencies has also enhanced emergency preparedness and campus safety. 

During crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Eaton Canyon fire, Sinnette’s compassionate leadership ensured every affected student and family received personal outreach and support, from counseling services to financial assistance from community partners.

A champion of equity and inclusion, Sinnette has led efforts to ensure all students have access to the resources they need to thrive. Her fiscal stewardship has kept the district financially stable while maintaining high-quality educational programs. 

Under her guidance, LCUSD has flourished, earning accolades such as California Distinguished Schools and National Blue Ribbon Schools, and establishing itself as one of the state’s top-performing districts. 

The Los Angeles County Superintendent of the Year award was introduced in 2017 by the Los Angeles County Office of Education in recognition of leadership in learning, excellence in communication and dedicated community involvement. Superintendent Sinnett will be honored at the L.A. County State of Education Celebration and Superintendents' Professional Collaborative Conference on October 3, 2025.