Her Story
About Candyce
Candyce Tucker-Peay serves as Laboratory Manager for Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, where she oversees STI testing across five locations throughout the state. In this role, which she has held for nearly a year, she has played an integral role in building the organization's laboratory from the ground up, helping establish operations and processes to support high-quality testing services. With 17 years of experience in the laboratory field, Tucker-Peay brings extensive expertise in laboratory operations, quality management, phlebotomy, employee development, and clinical testing. Tucker-Peay began her career as a laboratory technician at Patient First urgent care before advancing into technician and supervisor roles at Labcorp, where she spent six years as a technician and five years as a supervisor. She later joined Thermo Fisher Scientific, where she spent two years supporting vaccine development, before returning to Labcorp as a Regional Laboratory Manager overseeing 11 high-complexity laboratories. Her career progression reflects a strong combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, and a commitment to developing effective laboratory teams. She earned an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from J. Sargent Reynolds Community College and a bachelor's degree in Pre Professional Science with a minor in Chemistry from Ferrum College. Tucker-Peay attributes her professional success to the encouragement of her mother, along with her own passion, determination, and drive to continue growing. She places a strong emphasis on faith, honesty, communication, and empathy, values that guide both her professional relationships and personal life. For aspiring laboratory professionals, she encourages persistence, continuous education, staying informed about emerging technologies, and setting clear goals as essential steps toward building a successful and fulfilling career.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Candyce
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the encouragement and support of my mother, who has pushed me from the beginning to continually challenge myself and strive for greater accomplishments in both my personal and professional life. Her belief in me has motivated me to keep moving forward, while my own passion, determination, and commitment to my work continue to drive me toward growth and new opportunities.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to never accept no as the final answer. Opportunities and circumstances can change over time, and what may be a no today could become a yes in the future. I believe in staying persistent, continuing to pursue my goals, and remaining open to opportunities rather than allowing an initial setback to define what is possible.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the laboratory industry is to never stop trying and never stop learning. The laboratory field can sometimes seem slow to change because many professionals build long, rewarding careers in it, but there are always new technologies, testing methods, and advancements emerging. I encourage women to stay curious, read regularly, continue developing their knowledge, and remain open to new opportunities. Most importantly, identify a clear goal for where you want to go in your career and stay committed to working toward it, even when progress takes time.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in the laboratory field is the constant evolution of science and technology. The industry is always changing, with new tests, technologies, and diagnostic methods being developed to better support patients across a wide range of healthcare needs. I see these advancements as an exciting opportunity for laboratory professionals to continue learning, adapt to new developments, and contribute to improved patient care through more effective and innovative testing.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, honesty, communication, and empathy. Faith is a meaningful part of my life, and my family and I attend church together. In the medical field, I believe honesty and clear communication are especially important because they help build trust and ensure that everyone works together effectively. I also strive to lead with empathy, support those around me, and be a dependable asset to my team and the people I serve.
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