Candice Bobo is a dynamic and dedicated executive leader with over 24 years of experience in education, school transformation, and strategic leadership. She has worked in and led a dozen schools, serving in diverse communities across Washington, D.C., positively impacting the educational futures of over 5,000 students from Pre-School to adulthood. Most recently, as the Executive Director of Rocketship Public Schools in Washington, D.C., Candice oversaw the success and sustainability of a regional network of schools, serving over 1,500 students and leading a team of more than 200 staff. Her career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to ensuring every child has access to an excellent education, particularly in historically underserved communities.

Growing up east of the river in Washington, D.C., Candice’s passion for education was shaped by her own experiences and the values instilled in her by her parents, both career educators in D.C. Public Schools. Recognizing the challenges in her local school system, her parents enrolled her in a magnet program, requiring a two-hour daily commute across the city. This experience reinforced her belief that students should not have to leave their neighborhoods to receive a high-quality education, a conviction that continues to drive her leadership and advocacy today.

Candice spent the early part of her career—her first 10 years—working at independent, start-up charter schools. With limited resources, creativity, and grit, she and her colleagues worked to build a new movement in public education in Washington, D.C. Her career began at Friendship Public Charter Schools, where she served as a teacher and later as a lead teacher, managing a team of 10 educators and developing AP English curriculum. At Friendship Collegiate Academy, she played a key role in expanding the school’s enrollment from 350 to 1,000 students in just three years while serving as the lead teacher for the first and second graduating class of seniors. She then transitioned to Thurgood Marshall Academy, where she rose to leadership roles including director of student affairs, academic director of curriculum and instruction, and community affairs liaison. During her tenure, she tackled challenges in teacher retention and student achievement, implementing strategies that increased staff stability, enhanced academic performance, and supported first-generation college students in achieving a 90%+ university retention rate.

A proven turnaround specialist, Candice successfully revitalized Meridian Public Charter School as a resident leader and leadership coach at The TenSquare Group. Under her leadership, the school improved its performance metrics by 18 percentage points, securing a 20-year charter renewal and positioning itself as a high-performing institution. Her ability to lead schools from crisis to excellence showcases her strategic vision, resilience, and commitment to educational equity.

At Rocketship Public Schools, Candice spearheaded strategic financial planning, regional expansion, and student achievement initiatives, ensuring operational sustainability while fostering a rigorous culture of excellence. She successfully engaged regional board members, strengthened community partnerships, and aligned instructional support systems to drive measurable success. Her leadership extends beyond individual institutions, impacting education policy and systemic reform at a larger scale.

Beyond her executive roles, Candice serves on the advisory council for NewSchools Venture Fund, leveraging philanthropy to drive education innovation. She is also a member of the Pahara Institute and Education Leaders of Color, organizations dedicated to supporting transformative education leaders and advancing equity-driven policies that empower students and families.

Her expertise spans organizational consulting, strategic networking, performance management, and project turnaround. She has been featured in publications such as the Washington Post and BusinessWire and has contributed thought leadership pieces to The 74 Million and Washington Post on critical education issues, including teacher well-being and vaccine mandates. Her insights are informed by a deep understanding of community engagement, policy development, and leadership coaching.

Candice holds a master of arts in educational leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor of arts in mass communication from Clark Atlanta University. She is also a certified school building leader and holds multiple advanced placement English certifications. Her emotional literacy training from Yale University further underscores her commitment to fostering student success through social-emotional development.

With a career defined by transformational leadership, strategic execution, and unwavering advocacy for educational excellence, Candice Bobo continues to be a driving force in reshaping the future of public education. Whether leading multi-campus school networks, coaching executive teams, or serving on advisory boards, she remains focused on her ultimate goal: expanding educational opportunity, closing equity gaps, and building sustainable, high-performing learning communities.

Character:

Candice is a mission-driven leader with an unwavering dedication to equity, integrity, and student success. Her deep personal and professional commitment to education reform reflects her passion for creating sustainable change in underserved communities.

Knowledge:

With over two decades of experience in school leadership, strategic turnaround, and policy advocacy, Candice brings a wealth of expertise in driving organizational success, stakeholder engagement, and data-informed decision-making.

Strategic:

Candice has a proven track record of leading school transformations, securing charter renewals, and implementing high-impact strategies that drive measurable improvements in student achievement and operational sustainability.

Communication:

A skilled communicator, Candice effectively engages diverse stakeholders, builds collaborative partnerships, and delivers thought leadership through speaking engagements, publications, and advisory roles.