Candace Williams is Data & Research Manager with Advance CTE. In this role, Candace leads Advance CTE’s data quality initiatives and conducts timely, salient research to provide direct support to state leaders as they work to advance quality and equity in Career Technical Education.

Formerly, Candace served as the Director of Policy & Research at the New England Board of Higher Education where she was responsible for: guiding the organization’s policy agenda; producing reports and analysis of salient policy issues and trends affecting higher education and the economy in New England; engaging with key stakeholders and policymakers in the region; and providing data analysis, policy expertise and technical assistance. She acted as project director on a number of grant-funded initiatives covering credential transparency, recognition of learning, upskilling, employability and micro-credentialing. Before joining NEBHE, Candace was an aide in the Massachusetts state senate, working for Sen. Mike Barrett (D-Lexington).

A native of mid-coast Maine, Candace made her way to Boston to earn her undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics at Northeastern University. Candace now resides in Seacoast, New Hampshire with her husband and dog.