Debora (King ’94) Wondercheck is a corporate leader with 18 years of experience in strategy development, program management, and implementation. Her work focuses on culturally sensitive and inclusive artistic training and education for children in K-12 schools, particularly those that are under resourced. 

As the founder of the nationally acclaimed Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC), Debora has experience in fundraising, public education, executive leadership, community building, and program development. Her professional interests include education sustainability, corporate social responsibility and equitable access to the arts. Debora’s extensive expertise in music and education, combined with her ability to build strong partnerships across the public and private sector, has delivered powerful results throughout her career. 

As a leader in afterschool programs, Debora’s relationships have created artistic experiences for more than 50 schools throughout Southern California. She is particularly proud of her recent partnerships with the Orange County Department of Education, county superintendents, and youth-serving organizations such as Boys & Girls Club, and the YMCA of Orange County. In addition to her work at the ALC, Debora serves on the Board of Directors for Arts Orange County, the Arts Commission for the City of Costa Mesa, the Orange County Theater Guild, the Advisory for Philharmonic Society and OneOC, among others. She is committed to use her experience to broaden access to high-quality education by supporting innovation, reducing barriers to entry and building strong communities.   

Debora holds a BA in music education from Vanguard University and an MS in education administration from California State University Fullerton. Some of her accomplishments include: 2022 Ewomen Network Grant Recipient, 2022 City of Costa Mesa, Woman of the Year, 2022 CA State Assembly Woman of Distinction, 2022 Annenberg Alchemy Fellow, 2021 National Association of Women in Business, Board Pathways Graduate, 2021 Fieldstone Executive Mentee, 2021 Orange County Business Journal Women in Business Award, 2019, California State University, Gianneschi Leadership Fellow. Debora is an accomplished conductor and cellist who volunteers with the children’s ministry at the Rock Church of Anaheim. She is married to Gary ’98, and they have three teenage children. Debora is a product of Orange County.