Dr. Candice Lucas-Bledsoe, director of the Action Research Center in Dallas and SMU Cox Executive Education facilitator, will be honored with the Athena Leadership Award® by the Dallas Regional Chamber at their 25th Women’s Business Conference on March 9th. The award recognizes "exceptional women who excel in their careers, contribute to their communities, and develop future leaders,” and have demonstrated “living authentically; learning constantly; advocating fiercely; acting courageously; fostering collaboration; building relationships; giving back; and celebrating.”
Dr. Lucas-Bledsoe is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of leadership, innovation, and diversity and inclusion. In addition to her role with the SMU Cox Latino Leadership Initiative, she also holds appointments in the SMU Simmons School of Education and Hunt Institute of Humanity. Prior to joining SMU, Dr. Bledsoe served as a Professor for the Yonok University in Lampang, Thailand. She has 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).
She has published many articles and received numerous fellowships including: The National Endowment of the Humanities, the New Leadership Academy, National Center for Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan, and Boone Texas Project for Human Rights Education. Dr. Bledsoe is the recipient of the 2013 SMU Women’s Symposium Profiles of Community Leadership Award. She received her Doctorate in Education from The University of Southern California. Dr. Bledsoe also holds degrees from Southern Methodist University and Baylor University.
