Chandra Hendren

Executive Director
Board Member

Chandra was born in Kirksville, Missouri and raised in Gridley, California. She comes from a family that is rich in both Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and United States history. God and family have been the foundation of Chandra’s life and it is no surprise advocating for religious freedom, public policy and education have been the focus of her career and service, as they have been part of her family heritage for generations. She is grateful for her homeschooling education in a family of 9 children, that enabled her to attend college courses at age 16 where she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, altogether giving her a headstart in life. Chandra earned her Bachelor's degree in Statesmanship, summa cum laude and her Master’s degree in Education from George Wythe University, magna cum laude. She enjoyed serving a full-time Spanish speaking mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Utah Provo Mission where she was also assigned to serve in the St. George Temple Visitors’ Center and Historic Sites. 

 Prior to founding New Jerusalem Academy, Chandra spent over 15 years working in state legislatures and in education advocacy in California, Utah and Missouri, as an Executive Assistant, Legislative Aide, Communication Director, Policy Director, Legislative Liaison and Engagement Director. From 2014-2016, Chandra was the Vice President of Administration at George Wythe University where she also served as adjunct faculty and on the University curriculum committee. She has also worked in media relations on statewide campaigns and promoted a variety of public policy changes, including school choice, and also advocated for federal policy change. She has created many public policy events and training and educational programs for youth, adults, and state legislators. She also works with First Freedom Foundation, to incubate and accelerate religious freedom advocacy around the world. Chandra feels strongly that working to promote constitutional governance based on proven principles of freedom is one of the best means to ensure the continued protection of religious rights and freedoms in the United States. 

 As a youth, Chandra dreamed of becoming a concert musician and bringing joy to audiences through her love of music, specifically playing the violin and piano. She later transformed her love of music and music history to a passion for bringing joy and peace to others through promoting and preserving freedom of religion and belief (FoRB) in the United States and across the world. Although she did not pursue a career in music, Chandra loves music deeply and has performed as a violin soloist with the Orchestra of Southern Utah as a 2003 winner of the Roy L. Halversen Young Artist Competition. She has been a violinist with several orchestras and string ensembles and been involved in numerous musical events and performances. She also has many years experience as a pianist and accompanist for choirs, studios and soloists. She is Every Child Can! (ECC) certified with the Suzuki Method. 

 Chandra’s greatest joy in life is found being together with her family: her husband, Tell and being a mother to her three daughters. She enjoys sharing her hobbies and any extra time with her children, including classical music, kayaking, gardening, baking, studying religious art and religious texts, writing poetry, and traveling.