About Us
Empowering Purpose
Delivering Clarity
About HARNESS
Founded in 2023, HARNESS was created to give charter schools and nonprofits a smarter, more strategic approach to back office support. By integrating cutting-edge software, streamlined systems, and AI-powered tools, we’ve modernized outdated processes—making operations faster, clearer, and more aligned with the mission-driven work our clients do every day.
Our team is small, agile, and deeply experienced. We are constantly improving, adopting the newest tools and technology with ease, and providing personalized support that larger firms can’t match. Founded by a seasoned charter school leader and former C-level executive, HARNESS brings first-hand industry knowledge, operational expertise, and a commitment to clarity and care.
We specialize in accounting, finance and budgeting, HR, reporting and compliance, accounts payable, and executive director coaching. We’re not just here to manage your operations—we’re here to strengthen your strategy. Let us take care of the details, so you can stay focused on what matters most: your mission.
“Working with HARNESS has transformed our financial operations.
Their innovative technology has streamlined our bill pay process, saving us countless hours and eliminating the chaos of paper trails. We now have full transparency into approvals and instant access to invoices, which has made everything more efficient and accountable.”
~Linda Christiansen, Director of Finance and Government Relations, ICEF Public Schools
About Our Founder
Carrie Wagner’s career has always centered around one mission: empowering people and communities through education, leadership, and operational excellence. She founded HARNESS in 2023, giving her the platform to drive systemic change and reimagine back office support—delivering expert financial and strategic support to mission-driven organizations so they can focus on what truly matters: their impact.
Prior to founding HARNESS, Carrie founded the first all-girls charter middle school in Los Angeles called the Girls Athletic Leadership School Los Angeles (GALS) where she empowered girls to love themselves more fully and stand up for what they believe in.
Prior to opening GALS, Carrie was the COO of Bright Star Schools, a charter management organization that operates 9 schools in Los Angeles, and the CFO/COO of Citizens of the Worlds Charter Schools, a national charter organization operating schools in Los Angeles and Kansas City. Carrie also spent 9 years at ExED, a leading nonprofit provider of charter school management services, where she served as President and COO.
Carrie earned a M.B.A. from The Anderson School at UCLA and a B.S. in Accountancy and Computer Applications from The University of Notre Dame. Carrie also earned a M.A. in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica (USM), and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
HARNESS as a noun: is what keeps a rock climber safe. We will keep your organization safe with financially sustainable budgeting, accurate financial information at your fingertips and strategic thought partnership.
As a CPA, MBA and nearly tens years of leading back office work, CEO Carrie Wagner has the technical experience to ensure your financial information is accurate and easy to use. As a founder of a successful charter school, she knows first hand what challenges you face and will help you reach your goals.
HARNESS as a verb: to collect and control something so that it can be used effectively. We want to support you in harnessing the energy of your resources to increase outcomes and make even more positive impact in your community.
