Dr. Candice McDonald

Deputy Chief Executive - NVFC

Dr. Candice McDonald has served her community for two decades as a firefighter, EMS chief, CE instructor, and inspector. She is the president of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (CVVFA) and currently works for the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) as the deputy CEO. She is an adjunct professor for Eastern Gateway Community College and the University of Arkansas. Before joining the NVFC, she worked for NASA in the Office of Protective Services as a special agent and physical security specialist. Before working at NASA, she was the program coordinator for the Research Center for Educational Technology at Kent State University. Before joining the Kent State family, she spent six years working for the State of Ohio in marketing. Before that, she spent ten years working as a mental health case manager and drug and alcohol counselor. She holds a doctorate in business administration specializing in homeland security, a master’s in organizational leadership, a bachelor’s in organizational management, and an associate’s in health and human services. McDonald also has a certification in project management from Kent State University and is a NASA Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.