Kendall Wynne, will be running on behalf of ExpandED Schools in the TCS New York City Marathon. This Q&A explains why she chose to run for such an important cause.
Q&A
Q: What inspired you to run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon for ExpandED Schools, and what does this opportunity mean to you personally?
A: Education, running, and moving to NYC are three things that have been transformative in my life. Before I became a founding recruiter in the NYC startup space, I was a Teach For America corps member, teaching 7th grade science in Nashville, TN. That experience shaped how I think about education and opportunity. I saw firsthand how access to the right resources can have a meaningful impact on a student’s life.
Running the NYC marathon to raise money for students and educators across the city is a special intersection of a hobby I love, the city that healed me, and a mission I’m passionate about.
Q: How does ExpandED Schools’ mission resonate with your own experiences or values, and how has that connection shaped your training journey?
A: ExpandED Schools’ mission resonates with me because I’ve seen education from both sides: as a teacher, and now in recruiting and talent. My time with Teach For America showed me how much opportunity students have when they have access to support and resources.
That experience has stayed with me as my career has evolved. I’m really passionate about creating opportunities, recognizing potential, and helping people access the resources and support they need to succeed.
Q: As you prepare for 26.2 miles across all five boroughs, what message are you hoping to carry forward for the young people ExpandED Schools supports?
A: Marathon training is long and unglamorous – the miles nobody sees (they only hear about them), having to make sacrifices on social plans to fit your training plan, the 5am alarms to beat the heat. It’s not very different from what it takes to build toward any long-term goal, whether that’s in school or otherwise. I want the young people ExpandED Schools supports to know their goals are worth the work, even on the days when it feels lonely and progress feels slow. And even if it doesn’t always feel like it, I hope there’s always someone in your corner.
Q: What would you want supporters to understand about the importance of this marathon fundraising effort and the difference it will make for students and educators across New York City?
A: Fundraising for this marathon is much bigger than covering the cost of a race bib. It directly funds the programs that keep kids in NYC engaged, supported, and set up to succeed. ExpandED Schools works with students and educators who often have the least access to extra resources, and every donation goes toward closing that gap.
I also want supporters to understand that every runner has a story and a “why” – whether it’s the charity they’re running with, an obstacle they’ve faced, or a person who’s inspired them. For me, it’s all three.