Dr. Angie Besendorfer

Chief Impact Officer

Angie is a servant leader highly regarded for implementing innovations in K12, higher education and workforce development. She was honored early in her career with the national Milken Educator Award which has propelled her voice and impact across her career. Notably, Angie led in the recovery and rebuilding efforts of Joplin Schools after an EF-5 tornado hit 10 schools. Additionally, Angie was honored with the inaugural John C. Maxwell Leadership Top 100 Award, the Governor's Leadership Coin, and being named one of Ingram’s 50 Missourians You Should Know. In her current role as Chief Impact Officer at AstrumU, she is connecting her education experiences and AI to empower individuals in the skills economy. Angie’s first career focus in K12 includes experience as a teacher, principal and superintendent in high poverty schools. In higher education she served as the first Chancellor of WGU Missouri and concluded as Regional Vice President. Prior to joining AstrumU, Angie was Executive Vice President at KC Scholars where she led the team that created the Great Jobs KC workforce development initiative. Angie holds a Bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University, a Master’s degree from University of Central Missouri, and an Educational Doctorate from University of Missouri Columbia. Her passion for empowering people through education is evident in all of her endeavors.