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Our mission
At Candidly, we understand that education is one of the largest investments most people will make in a lifetime. And like any investment, it needs to be planned for and managed in the context of their bigger goals, even when - and especially when - that means taking on debt.
We're on a mission to make trusted, intelligent and comprehensive solutions that enable Americans to reap the rewards of that investment so they can build financial wellness and wealth. Because candidly, college should help propel people forward - not hold them back.
Meet the founder
At Candidly, we’re passionate about what we do because we’ve been there ourselves.
Six years ago, our founder and CEO Laurel Taylor was on the fast track to reaching her career goals. But the weight of the student debt she and her mother had racked up to fund her education — rang in at almost $200,000 — was holding her back from realizing her full potential. So Laurel took matters into her own hands, and in 2016, founded Candidly (then called FutureFuel.io) to address the unmet — and urgent — market need for smart solutions that support individuals and families through every step of the planning, borrowing, and repayment experience.
Our team
We’re a remote-first team of leaders, creators, visionaries, parents, partners, cycling enthusiasts, winemakers, and champion jugglers (yes, really!) united by a single, shared vision: a future in which education helps people move forward — and never holds them back.
Total lifetime student loan debt of the Candidly team
$1,555,500
Percent of Candidly team with student loan debt
57%
Current outstanding student loan debt of the Candidly team
$287,000
Our values
Empathy
The people we serve and how we treat each other come before the bottom line, period. Compassion and understanding guide our roadmap, and every step we take demonstrates how we value our customers, our team, and our community.
Collaboration
Our team may be fully remote-first, but we’re never distant. Intentional collaboration and open communication keep our growing team nimble so we can always be ready for what comes next (and, not to mention, it’s more fun that way!).
Humility
The phrase ‘humble and hungry’ gets thrown around a lot — but at Candidly, it’s more than just talk. Doing the right thing is never the wrong answer, and learning from failure is just as — if not more — important as celebrating success.
Desenrascanco
Pronounced "dez-zen-ras-can-so", desenrascanço is a Portuguese word for the art of disentangling one’s self from a problem under unconventional circumstances (sort of like MacGyverism, if you will). We practice resourcefulness and tenacity every day so that when urgent needs arise, we can respond not just with grit — but with efficiency and poise, too.
Want to join our team?
Leadership
Annie Lee Head of People
April Mellas Chief Revenue Officer
Benjamin Levine Chief Product Officer
Brianna Jones Vice President of Engineering
David Sauro Chief Information Security Officer
Deirdre Bertrand Chief Operating Officer
Erica Miller Vice President of Finance
Kevin Solan Vice President of Marketing
Kimberly Chea Head of Payment Operations
Laurel Taylor Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Meera Oliva Chief Marketing Officer
Michael Rodriguez Vice President of Product
Michaela Rubin Vice President of Operations
Tony Ancelj Vice President of Legal
Investors
