NMSDC was incredibly saddened to learn about the sudden passing of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) CEO and president, Candace Waterman on May 19. She leaves behind a legacy of leadership for the progress of women and minority-owned businesses that will not be forgotten.
With over 35 years of experience, she served as a tireless advocate for the over 12 million women-owned companies in the U.S. She worked in a bipartisan manner with lawmakers to affect and influence policy that created greater economic equity, procurement inclusion, and access to the global marketplace.
As a U.S. delegate of the Women20 (W20) Women Entrepreneurship Working Group of the G20 countries, Candace was recognized as a global thought leader and subject matter expert. Her commitment to diversity, inclusion, and operational excellence earned her numerous awards and recognition including the 2019 WBE Hall of Fame Recipient and the 2019 Top Executives in Diversity. Additionally, she held seats on the American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA) board of directors and the Essence Entrepreneurial Advisory Council for Essence Magazine.
“A great friend of NMSDC and a fellow committee member of the Council for Underserved Communities at U.S. Small Business Administration, we lost a devoted champion for equity and diversity, a passionate advocate for diverse businesses, and an authentic leader impacting all of us. Her legacy lives on through our continued work on economic equity and inclusive growth,” said NMSDC CEO and President Ying McGuire.
We extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. Candace’s leadership and dedication to the plight of women and minority business owners will be missed by everyone in the NMSDC network. We hope to honor her legacy in our continued work to accelerate minority business growth and create long-lasting generational wealth for the communities of color we serve.
A memorial service to honor Candace will be held Thursday, June 29 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Learn more about the service on the WIPP website.
