Changemakers and Trailblazers: The Importance of Intentional Leadership

Advancing the Outdoor Professional

In this conversation the two Advancing the Outdoor Professional podcast hosts connection about outdoor leadership. Jeannette Stawski interviews Candace Brendler, exploring her journey in outdoor leadership and student development. Candace shares her experiences as a program coordinator at Princeton University, her passion for working with students, and her unique career path that includes roles as a rafting guide and middle school teacher.

The discussion delves into Candace's leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of empowerment and responsibility, as well as her reflections on learning from past missteps in leadership roles. In this conversation, Candace Brendler and Jeannette Stawski discuss the importance of communication, confidence, and intentional leadership within the outdoor industry. They explore personal growth, the challenges of assimilation in a male-dominated field, and the need for inclusivity and representation. The dialogue emphasizes the value of interpersonal skills alongside technical abilities, advocating for a more holistic approach to outdoor leadership.

About Candace

Candace has been an outdoor professional for over 20 years; during that time she has worn a variety of hats including raft guide, kayak instructor, ski instructor, WEMT, expedition leader and trainer. In addition, she spent 7 years as a middle school teacher where she honed her active training strategies. Over the past three years, Candace has had the opportunity to contribute to trip leader training programs for James Madison University, West Virginia University, and Princeton University. She gets immense satisfaction from leading a training program and then immediately making improvements in the curriculum for the next time it’s taught.