Vania Iscandari is a senior policy associate at Advance CTE, where she directly supports states and local sites in strengthening high-quality and equitable career pathways through technical assistance, coaching, and project management.

Prior to joining Advance CTE, Vania worked with Baltimore County Government Economic and Workforce Development building a new workforce development initiative focused on educating and ushering in marginalized populations to the Offshore Wind and related industries. Previously, Vania worked with LIFT, as the national director of training and technical assistance establishing the foundation of their offerings and technical assistance portfolio through a holistic and equitable lens. Vania also worked with the U.S. Department of Education Promise Neighborhood grant program in Baltimore City through the University of Maryland, School of Social Work, where she led the Family Prosperity Program creating pathways to CTE programs in healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship for students and parents.

Vania is a native of Columbia, MD, now residing outside of Baltimore, MD. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Social Work and International Relations from Seton Hall University and master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration of Community Action & Social Policy from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.