Chief of Partnerships to continue to strengthen relationships across the state
BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC) is pleased to announce Candace Alfred Weber, Ph.D., as its Chief of Partnerships. In her new position, Dr. Weber will continue to strengthen LPIC’s relationships with key stakeholders while developing new partnerships to advance early childhood education across the state.
Dr. Weber has been a critical member of the LPIC team for three years, previously serving as Partnerships Director. Her dedication to building collaborative partnership efforts between public, private, and nonprofit sectors has been instrumental in securing meaningful support for early childhood education initiatives throughout Louisiana.
“We are thrilled to elevate Candace to this new role,” said Libbie Sonnier, Ph.D., CEO of LPIC. “Her leadership, passion, and strategic vision have already made a significant impact on our work, and we know she will continue to expand our reach as we work to improve the lives of Louisiana’s youngest learners.”
With a background in business and public policy, Dr. Weber has led various important initiatives at LPIC, including creating a local funding toolkit to strengthen early care and education in Louisiana communities. Her ability to foster relationships with business leaders, policymakers, and community advocates has been essential to furthering LPIC’s mission of ensuring that all children in Louisiana have the opportunity to succeed.
In her new role as Chief of Partnerships, Dr. Weber will focus on building long-term, sustainable collaborations that support the needs of Louisiana’s children, families, and educators. She will work closely with community organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to align resources that foster economic growth, strengthen the workforce, and educate communities on the importance of investing in the state’s youngest learners. Dr. Weber’s leadership will also emphasize the importance of inclusion in all partnership initiatives, ensuring that every child has access to the quality early childhood education opportunities they deserve.
“I am honored to step into this expanded role,” said Dr. Weber. “I look forward to continuing to build strong relationships that will help us expand access to quality early care and education for every child in Louisiana. I am committed to working alongside our partners to create lasting, positive change for children, families, and communities across the state.”
Dr. Weber holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences at Southern University and A&M College and has tirelessly advocated for early childhood education throughout her career. She also holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the Broad Center at Yale School of Management, an MBA from Pepperdine University, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Xavier University of Louisiana. Her leadership at LPIC will be pivotal as the organization continues to champion policies and partnerships that prioritize the well-being and success of Louisiana’s youngest citizens.
About Louisiana Policy Institute for Children:
Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that Louisiana’s young children, from birth to age four, are best prepared for success in school and in life. The Policy Institute develops policy proposals informed by data, research, best practices, and the experiences of other states to improve the outcomes of Louisiana’s youngest citizens, and further provides educational and outreach activities based on recommended policy solutions. The organization works to ensure children are safe, healthy, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.policyinstitutela.org and follow the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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