Candice Lee | From Army Brat to SEC Trailblazer

This episode of Intangible Podcast features Vanderbilt vice chancellor and athletics director Candice Lee. She recalls growing up an “Army brat,” being born early and having eye surgery as an infant, discovering basketball later than most and instantly falling in love with Vanderbilt during an elite camp. Lee discusses turning repeated ACL tears and knee surgeries into lessons in perseverance and leadership, and explains how mentors like David Williams and trailblazer Perry Wallace shaped her path. Her journey culminated in becoming Vanderbilt’s—and the SEC’s—first Black woman athletic director. She shares her vision for the “Vanderbilt Way,” combining academic rigor with winning athletics, and offers advice on staying true to yourself and leading with resilience, joy and grace.