Home / People / Candice Thomas Candice Thomas Director of Foundation Relations and Corporate Partnerships After 22 years as an elementary school teacher, Candice Thomas joined the Gardner-Webb family as the Administrative Coordinator for the Office of Advancement in August of 2023. In January of 2025, she added Special Events Coordinator for the Office of Advancement to her job description where she coordinated many events as well as coordinating the Advancement Team. In January of 2026, Candice once again transitioned into a new role for Advancement as Director of Foundation Relations and Corporate Partnerships. In this role, she is responsible for leading corporate and foundation fundraising initiatives, fostering mission-aligned partnerships, and securing philanthropic investments that enhance university priorities, programs, and student success. Her position works collaboratively across academic and administrative units to translate institutional priorities into compelling proposals for support. She and her husband Neal have been married since October of 1995. They have three children, two sons-in-law, and one granddaughter. She enjoys camping, taking care of flowers/plants, and riding motorcycles with her husband.
