Washington Tennis & Education Foundation Welcomes Candace Smith as New CEO to Lead Future Growth
On March 4, 2025, the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF) made a significant announcement regarding its leadership. Candace Smith has been appointed as the new CEO, set to take the helm this month.
Candace Smith comes with over 15 years of experience in the education sector specifically within Washington D.C. She has a rich background in leadership roles, program expansion, and fundraising initiatives that make her a perfect fit for WTEF. The organization’s board chair, Sarah Jackson, expressed enthusiasm about Smith’s arrival, praising her insights into the local education landscape and her proven capability in developing impactful programs. Smith's role is crucial as WTEF continues its mission to empower youth through the combination of tennis and education.
Prior to her CEO appointment, Smith honed her skills at the Friendship Public Charter School’s Chamberlain campus, where she started her journey as an early childhood educator. As she taught kindergarten, her dedication was evident as she not only led her grade-level team but also contributed significantly to early childhood education initiatives by serving on the Early Childhood Task Force. Smith has always been passionate about enhancing educational practices and mentoring fellow educators, making her transition into leadership likelier.
Expressing her excitement, Smith stated, "I'm honored to have the opportunity to build upon the strong foundation of the past 70 years and lead WTEF into its next chapter as CEO. The impact that WTEF has had on countless students inspires me. I am eager to collaborate with our dedicated team and partners, sharing our stories and enhancing our influence within the community."
Smith's career trajectory includes a role at City Teaching Alliance, where she first served as the inaugural assistant director. She played a pivotal role in amplifying the program's outreach, increasing the incoming teacher cohort, and tripling school partnerships. Her exemplary efforts culminated in her promotion to executive director in 2019. Smith was able to manage teams effectively, maintaining oversight of 35 staff and faculty while supporting an impressive 400 educators. The City Teaching Alliance became a recognized and preferred source of novice teachers for D.C. Public Schools under her leadership.
Additionally, she managed a substantial budget of $10 million and successfully raised an average of $1.7 million annually. Her responsibilities expanded further when promoted to regional executive director in 2023, where she took steps to also lead the efforts in the Baltimore region.
With credentials that include a bachelor's degree from the esteemed University of Chicago and a master's degree in early childhood education from American University in Washington D.C., Smith’s educational background complements her extensive experience.
The Washington Tennis and Education Foundation is a noted non-profit organization with a transformative mission for youth in disadvantaged D.C. communities. Offering innovative tennis lessons fused with educational opportunities, WTEF proudly celebrates its 70 years of service in 2025. The journey began in 1955, and since then, the foundation has evolved into a keystone of community support, dedicated to enhancing lives through tennis and education. WTEF employs a holistic approach, empowering students with vital academic skills and life skills that are instrumental for their success, both on and off the court.
For more about the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, you can visit their official website at www.wtef.org or follow them on social media @wtefdc.
Candace Smith comes with over 15 years of experience in the education sector specifically within Washington D.C. She has a rich background in leadership roles, program expansion, and fundraising initiatives that make her a perfect fit for WTEF. The organization’s board chair, Sarah Jackson, expressed enthusiasm about Smith’s arrival, praising her insights into the local education landscape and her proven capability in developing impactful programs. Smith's role is crucial as WTEF continues its mission to empower youth through the combination of tennis and education.
Prior to her CEO appointment, Smith honed her skills at the Friendship Public Charter School’s Chamberlain campus, where she started her journey as an early childhood educator. As she taught kindergarten, her dedication was evident as she not only led her grade-level team but also contributed significantly to early childhood education initiatives by serving on the Early Childhood Task Force. Smith has always been passionate about enhancing educational practices and mentoring fellow educators, making her transition into leadership likelier.
Expressing her excitement, Smith stated, "I'm honored to have the opportunity to build upon the strong foundation of the past 70 years and lead WTEF into its next chapter as CEO. The impact that WTEF has had on countless students inspires me. I am eager to collaborate with our dedicated team and partners, sharing our stories and enhancing our influence within the community."
Smith's career trajectory includes a role at City Teaching Alliance, where she first served as the inaugural assistant director. She played a pivotal role in amplifying the program's outreach, increasing the incoming teacher cohort, and tripling school partnerships. Her exemplary efforts culminated in her promotion to executive director in 2019. Smith was able to manage teams effectively, maintaining oversight of 35 staff and faculty while supporting an impressive 400 educators. The City Teaching Alliance became a recognized and preferred source of novice teachers for D.C. Public Schools under her leadership.
Additionally, she managed a substantial budget of $10 million and successfully raised an average of $1.7 million annually. Her responsibilities expanded further when promoted to regional executive director in 2023, where she took steps to also lead the efforts in the Baltimore region.
With credentials that include a bachelor's degree from the esteemed University of Chicago and a master's degree in early childhood education from American University in Washington D.C., Smith’s educational background complements her extensive experience.
The Washington Tennis and Education Foundation is a noted non-profit organization with a transformative mission for youth in disadvantaged D.C. communities. Offering innovative tennis lessons fused with educational opportunities, WTEF proudly celebrates its 70 years of service in 2025. The journey began in 1955, and since then, the foundation has evolved into a keystone of community support, dedicated to enhancing lives through tennis and education. WTEF employs a holistic approach, empowering students with vital academic skills and life skills that are instrumental for their success, both on and off the court.
For more about the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, you can visit their official website at www.wtef.org or follow them on social media @wtefdc.
Topics Sports）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.