Her Story
About Candice
Candice Langston is a fundraiser with 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, specializing primarily in higher education, the arts, and civic engagement. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, she holds a bachelor's degree in art history earned in 1991 along with an MBA and a master's degree in arts administration and nonprofit management, both completed in 1996. Langston finds fulfillment in connecting passionate individuals with programs and projects that align with their interests while helping organizations secure resources for growth. A notable professional achievement includes her work on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force from 2015 to 2017, which produced the Leading on Opportunity playbook addressing economic mobility in the region. She credits her success to exceptional mentors, particularly women in her field, as well as her late father for instilling work ethic, drive, and ambition, and her mother for her supportive role. Langston values loyalty, honesty, integrity, authenticity, politeness, and kindness in both her professional and personal life. She advises aspiring professionals to pursue internships, volunteer, network authentically, and listen deeply to build meaningful relationships.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Candice
01What do you attribute your success to?
I've had some amazing mentors and in particular women that I have worked with and worked for in my career. And, I certainly give them credit, but I also credit my father, may he rest in peace, for instilling these values in me, my work ethic, my drive and my ambition, but I, I, I can't let that go without giving my mom amazing credit for being an incredible mother. I was lucky to have two parents who raised me. My mom never worked, and we were very, very close, so... Unfortunately, my father passed away 20 years ago. So I have always been in close to my mother. So, you know, I think... I think I give... really give all credit to them.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I think the best career advice that, that I got was to be authentically who you are. And to protect your reputation and your integrity, you know, as... that is something that no one can ever take away from you. If you get laid off, if you get fired, whatever happens, as long as you have your integrity, you will always bounce back.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do internships, You know, in between jobs, volunteer time, get to know people, authentically, you know, go... go into, Networking Opportunities Curious, About people listening... Listen deeply, and, yeah, just, yeah, that.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In my field, well, certainly, you know, it's a competitive field. I think that, you know, Trust is something that is very, very important. In my line of work, when you're working with donors. And taking the time to build relationships and to build trust. I think it's ill and so I think I don't know... I don't know how you classify that as a challenge. I think that is something that anyone who's entering this field really needs to understand, that, you know, that's... It's, you know, that's something that takes time and effort and intention. To rise above, to sort of become the cream of the crop, that's what you have to do.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Loyalty, honesty, you know, having integrity, being authentic, being polite, being kind.
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