Candace M. Butler has established a distinguished career across various industries, focusing on consulting, healthcare staffing, and leadership development. As the business development executive and owner of Patterns Hiring, Inc., Ms. Butler is crucial in securing contracts for hospitals and clinics, ensuring they are staffed with qualified professionals. Her responsibilities include advocating for increased diversity in healthcare settings, evaluating full-time staff and processes, and providing tailored solutions to meet organizational needs. Her efforts help address disparities in healthcare staffing and promote a more inclusive workforce.
Ms. Butler’s entrepreneurial drive is further exemplified by her leadership at Inspired Inks, a company she founded, which specializes in ghostwriting, writing requests for proposals, and engaging in public speaking. Additionally, she is the chief executive officer and owner of Rise Up and Lead Forward Academy, an organization dedicated to teaching leadership fundamentals. She also leads CB Diversified Consulting Services, LLC, focusing on coaching and mentoring minority women in leadership roles.
Ms. Butler’s educational background is robust and diverse. She began her academic journey with a high school diploma from John Tyler High School in Tyler Independent School District. She then pursued an associate degree in computer science from Tyler Junior College and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management from Texas College. Her quest for knowledge continued with a master’s degree in psychology from Grand Canyon University. In addition, she has earned numerous certifications, including those in cross-cultural intelligence, inclusive leadership, and diversity and inclusion. These credentials reflect her dedication to creating inclusive environments and advancing her leadership and organizational development skills.
Over her professional journey, Ms. Butler has achieved notable accomplishments. Her tenure at Vizient, Inc. included consultant, staffing manager, and senior team lead positions. She also worked as a reimbursement coordinator at US Bioservices and as an analyst at Tampa General Hospital. Earlier in her career, Ms. Butler served as a vision center manager and certified pharmacy technician at Walmart, where she gained valuable experience in management and customer service.
Ms. Butler’s commitment to civic engagement is evident in her various roles and contributions. She serves as vice president of the alumni board for the Henderson Chapter of Texas College and is an active member of the Professional Women’s Network of America. Her advisory roles with LinkedIn Corporation and the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council reflect her expertise and influence in the professional community. Additionally, she mentors through the Christian Women Job Corps and volunteers with The Salvation Army National Headquarters, demonstrating her dedication to giving back and supporting others.
Among her many achievements, Ms. Butler takes pride in being the only person of color in a leadership position at her previous job. In this role, she advocated for increased representation and diversity in leadership, reflecting her commitment to promoting inclusivity and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. Ms. Butler anticipates expanding her coaching business to support marginalized communities with resume building and job placement. Her plan includes focusing exclusively on her businesses and collaborating with partners to drive their success. She aspires to make a significant impact in helping individuals identify transferable skills and secure meaningful employment.
Ms. Butler attributes her success to her faith, resilience, and passion for helping others. Her motivation stems from overcoming personal challenges and her belief in the potential for everyone to achieve greatness regardless of their background. She approaches problems with determination and a positive attitude, striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Her greatest professional accomplishment includes starting the first Black employee relations group at Vizient, which significantly improved employee engagement and fostered an inclusive workplace culture.
Outside of her professional life, Ms. Butler enjoys gardening, reading, writing, traveling, and exploring new experiences. She remains deeply grateful for the support she receives and is committed to continuing her efforts to make a positive impact. Her dedication to opening doors for others and facilitating significant organizational change underscores her ongoing commitment to leadership and community development.
