Candidly named to Inc. 2023 Best in Business list

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.

60 team members, six countries, one vision

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.

See everyone

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?

See open positions

Leadership

Adaline Anaya Head of Support Services

Location Marker Richmond, CA

Benjamin Levine Chief of Staff & Head of Data Science

Location Marker Seattle, WA

Brianna Jones Director of Engineering

Location Marker Virginia Beach, VA

Deirdre Bertrand Chief Operating Officer

Location Marker Boston, MA

Erica Miller Controller

Location Marker Washington, DC

Jennifer Blair General Counsel

Location Marker Del Mar, CA

Kevin Walker Co-Founder and President

Location Marker Marblehead, MA

Larry Sanford Vice President of People

Location Marker San Francisco, CA

Laurel Taylor Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Location Marker San Francisco, CA

Mark Rose SVP, Product & Experience

Location Marker New York, NY

Meera Oliva Chief Marketing Officer

Location Marker Newton, MA

Michaela Noe Head of Customer Success

Location Marker Hoboken, NJ

Nicholas Ferdon SVP, Revenue & Partnerships

Location Marker Tiburon, CA

Our mission

Meet the founder

60 team members, six countries, one vision

Our values

Empathy

Collaboration

Humility

Desenrascanco

Leadership

Board of directors

Laurel Taylor

Jenny Abramson

Anthony Lee

Stuart Nagae

Jim Palermo

Kevin Walker

Observers

Alan Becker

Anthony Marino

Bharat Rajaram

Claudine Emeott

Michael Barry

Investors

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