About Dr.Candice Lucas-Bledsoe
Dr. Candice Bledsoe is an internationally recognized expert in the area of leadership, diversity, and inclusion. She is the Global Chief Executive Officer for the Action Research Center in Dallas, Texas. She is a professor and holds appointments at Penn State University, the Center for the Study of Higher Education, Anti-Racist Leadership Academy, SMU Cox School of Business, and Hunt Institute of Engineering and Humanity. Previously, Dr. Bledsoe served as a Professor at Yonok University in Lampang, Thailand. She also led international initiatives in organizations such as, Bank of Thailand, Bain & Company, Microsoft, Qatar University, Hong Kong University Science and Technology, and Abu Dhabi Department of Education Council (ADEC).
The United Nations honored Dr. Bledsoe with the UN Global Leadership Award for Sustainable Goal 4: Quality Education for her tireless efforts to increase access to education and school enrollment rates at all levels, particularly for girls. In 2023, she received the Athena International Leadership Award for closing the wealth gap for underrepresented groups. Dr. Bledsoe was named a Top 100 Global Leader by the Global Diversity Council for her exceptional leadership qualities.
Dr. Bledsoe has published many articles and received numerous fellowships including: The National Endowment of Humanities, theNew Leadership Academy, National Center of Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan, the Boone Family Foundation, and Dallas Public Voices. She has delivered hundreds of keynote speeches across the world.
Dr. Bledsoe received her Doctorate in Education from University Southern California. She also holds degrees from Baylor and Southern Methodist University.