Dr. Candace M. Williams is a native New Orleanian who still resides in the city. After graduating from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2006, she began her career as an educator. To understand students more holistically and improve student outcomes, Candace earned a Masters in Counseling from the University of New Orleans in 2010.  Driven to increase her knowledge and desire to be a holistic change agent in education, youth development, leadership, social justice, holistic wellness, and community development, Candace earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Xavier University of Louisiana. In 2018, Candace was a graduate of the first cohort of Xavier's Ed.D. program. Her research focused on connecting counseling and education to improve student and institutional outcomes.

Candace is a former educator and counselor who has served in various capacities in healthcare, nonprofits, and school settings. She is passionate about education, social justice, holistic health, service, and empowering and supporting Black and Brown communities. Having a previous role as Deputy Director at an organization that supported system-involved youth and young adults, Candace developed greater passion to foster safe communities, advance public safety, address inequities and disparities, and promote social justice, especially among Black and Brown communities. She also previously worked as an Executive Fellow with FUSE and the City of New Orleans supporting the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, a public health approach to policing for those who are criminalized for underlying and unmet behavioral health needs. 

At CPE, Candace is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and facilitating dialogue that informs and advances CPEs mission. She also works remotely as a part-time evaluator at Western Governors University in the Teachers Diversity College. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising, music and concerts, festivals, volunteering, spending time with family and friends, finding new ways to explore New Orleans, laughing, and just having fun.