From Military Brat to SEC Commodore: Candice Lee’s Life of Mission and Duty
Discover how Vanderbilt's trailblazing athletic director, Candice Lee, used her journey as a military child to build a foundation of resilience and leadership.
Candice Lee's story is one of determination, adaptability, and groundbreaking achievement. As a military child, she learned early on to navigate change, a skill that would later become a cornerstone of her success as a student-athlete and, ultimately, as the first Black woman to serve as an athletic director in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
In a recent conversation on the Intangible Podcast, Mrs. Lee shared how her unique upbringing prepared her for a life of overcoming obstacles and, above all, leading with grace.
In the following blog post, we’ll discuss:
Resilience from a Military Upbringing: Candice Lee's frequent moves as a child in a military family taught her adaptability and resilience, skills she credits as foundational to her career success.
From Injury to Leadership: She parlayed the lessons from multiple knee injuries during her college basketball career at Vanderbilt into powerful examples of perseverance and leadership.
A Historic Appointment: As the first Black woman to lead an SEC athletics program, Lee’s appointment as Vanderbilt’s AD makes her a true pioneer.
The "Vanderbilt Way": Lee's leadership philosophy is centered on "the Vanderbilt Way," a vision that combines academic rigor with athletic excellence.
Leading with Grace: A key aspect of her leadership is the principle of extending grace to others, a philosophy that she believes is essential for effective and empathetic management.
The Unwritten Rules of Resiliency: A Military Child's Foundation
Growing up in a military family comes with its own distinct set of challenges and benefits.
Lee recalls moving nine times by the time she was a high school sophomore, an experience that taught her the importance of being able to constantly adapt to new environments and social interactions.
This continuous change, while difficult, instilled in her a deep sense of resiliency. She recounts how the experience taught her to be comfortable being uncomfortable, a valuable trait for a leader in the competitive world of college athletics.
This adaptability proved crucial during her basketball career. Lee, a standout player, chose to attend Vanderbilt, a decision she made on her own and one that was solidified during an elite camp.
Her journey at Vanderbilt was marked by perseverance, including battling through multiple knee injuries and surgeries. Instead of seeing these setbacks as an end, she transformed them into lessons in leadership and grit, which she says are "intangible" qualities that lead to peak performance.
“I’d probably say at 23 I wanted to prove them wrong. But I say now at 46 I just want to prove myself right.”
Leading with the "Vanderbilt Way"
Lee's journey came full circle in 2020 when she was named Vanderbilt's Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs, as well as Athletics Director.
In this role, Mrs. Lee stresses the importance of adhering to academic excellence while also striving for winning athletics—a philosophy she refers to as "the Vanderbilt Way".
As a triple alumna of the university, with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, she understands the institution's values intimately and is dedicated to its success.
the southeastern conference: It Just Means More (and now, for everybody)
Vanderbilt University is a founding member of the SEC (along with University of Alabama, Auburn University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi, and University of Tennessee), which has a rich history dating back to 1932, and since its inception, the conference has been known for its intense competition and passionate fan bases.
Its motto, "It Just Means More," reflects the deep cultural significance of collegiate athletics in the region.
But, the SEC, not unlike American History in general, has had to overcome some challenges when it comes to major topics such as race, gender equality and providing a level playing field for everyone.
And, not unlike significant historical figures such as Jackie Robinson, Barbara Hedges, Perry Wallace, and Condredge Holloway, Jr., Mrs. Lee is a living testament of the progress that has been made and the new doors that have been opened.
Candice Lee’s leadership represents a new chapter for the conference, embodying both a commitment to excellence and a pioneering spirit that is helping to forge the future of college athletics.
Grace and Gratitude: A Guiding Philosophy
During her conversation with TeamQ CEO, Christopher Spencer, Mrs. Lee emphasizes the importance of extending "grace" to others.
She is adamant about the importance of leading with kindness, noting that everyone needs it.
This philosophy is a reflection of her personal journey and her commitment to fostering a positive and supportive environment. It’s a powerful message that resonates far beyond the world of sports, reminding us that true leadership is built on a foundation of empathy and humanity.
Candice Lee’s story is a testament to the power of embracing one’s life story, using every challenge as a stepping stone to greater achievements.
Her journey from a military child to a visionary athletic director at one of the nation’s most prestigious universities is an inspiring lesson in resilience, leadership, and the power of the "intangible" qualities that unlock greatness.
At TeamQ, we believe in providing comprehensive support and insights to help you navigate life's challenges and triumphs. Explore our curated resources designed to inspire, educate, and connect:
TeamQ Blog: Dive deeper into stories of resilience, expert advice, and the latest research: www.teamq.io/blog.
More from The Intangible Podcast: Connect with other professional athletes, coaches, and experts to discuss the strategies, mindset shifts, and intangible qualities that elevate mental performance: https://www.youtube.com/@IntangiblePod.
Learn More From Our CEO, Christopher Spencer: Teaming up with experts in tech and psychology, Christopher pioneered performance intelligence and founded TeamQ to help athletes and teams harness the intangibles to win on and off the field: https://www.teamq.io/ourfounder.
Sign-Up for TeamQ: Our human-powered, AI-assisted process analyzes each athlete’s own words—gathered from interviews, transcripts, or direct conversations—to reveal the mental edge that separates the good from the great: Sign-Up For a Demo Here.
