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Candice Smith
Founder & CEO, Caregiven
Candice Smith is the Founder and CEO of Caregiven, a company she started in 2017 to support and empower caregivers navigating end-of-life care for their loved ones.13 Her inspiration for founding Caregiven came from her personal experience caring for her father during his end-of-life journey in 2016.1
Professional Background
Candice has over 20 years of experience as a top-level fundraiser, during which she secured million-dollar commitments and developed relationships between institutions, donors, and communities.1 Prior to founding Caregiven, she held several leadership positions in educational institutions, including:
- Director of Development at French American International School
- Advancement Director at The Women's College within the University of Queensland
- Director of Annual Giving & Advancement Operations at Lewis & Clark College
Caregiven Journey
Candice launched Caregiven in 2019, with the app officially released in April 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.2 Under her leadership, Caregiven achieved several milestones:
- Engaged over 1,300 active users within the first year
- Generated over $750,000 in pre-seed funding and grants
- Earned global recognition from organizations like AARP, Aging 2.0, and CareFactor23
In October 2022, Caregiven was acquired by Veratrus Health, a subsidiary of Delta Dental of Iowa.4 Following the acquisition, Candice transitioned to the role of Founder & Director, continuing to lead Caregiven's strategic direction and product development.3
Education and Personal Approach
Candice holds a BA in History from the University of Oregon. Her approach to business and leadership is characterized by:
- A focus on empathy-driven innovation
- A commitment to using technology to support human connections
- A passion for addressing the emotional and practical needs of caregivers25
Candice's vision for Caregiven extends beyond providing practical tools; she aims to create a resource that deeply understands and supports the mental and emotional demands of caregiving.2
