CEO's You Should Know St. Louis
Dr. Candice Carter-Oliver is the Chief Executive Officer of Confluence Academies, a non-profit public charter school system in St. Louis celebrating its 20th anniversary this school year. With a focus on student and community success, she leads a dynamic team dedicated to inspiring positive change and social justice.
Dr. Carter-Oliver identifies the links between academic achievement in the pre-K through 12 classroom and wider community achievements. The success of schools in an urban environment can make a critical difference for students, families, and the stability of whole neighborhoods.
Dr. Carter-Oliver's extensive experience in urban education and team-based leadership style have driven significant improvements in school performance and student learning. She is known for her ability to balance uncompromising standards with empathy, building trust and fostering partnerships that benefit Confluence students and their communities. Confluence Academies' scores of community partners have quadrupled under Dr. Carter-Oliver's leadership. These impactful partnerships are leading to a healthier, safer, and more educated community.
Prior to her role at Confluence, Dr. Carter-Oliver served in various educational capacities, including assistant superintendent, elementary principal, classroom teacher, and learning coach in districts across the St. Louis region including Saint Louis Public Schools, Normandy Schools Collaborative, and Riverview Gardens School District. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from SIUE, as well as master's, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees from UMSL. Dr. Carter-Oliver holds professional development certificates from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Washington University Olin Business School, and the National Superintendents Academy.
Dr. Carter-Oliver is actively involved in numerous state and local committees and councils. She co-leads Educators for Gun Safety, the St. Louis Schools Research and Practice Collaborative and the Education Plan Champion Committee, co-chaired the St. Louis Schools Collaborative and the Invest in St. Louis Community College Campaign Committee, serves on the MCPSA (Missouri Charter Public School Association) Government Affairs Advisory Council and the Commissioner of Education Advisory Council, and was a 2021 graduate of FOCUS-St. Louis Women in Leadership. She is a current Leadership St. Louis (LSL Class of 48) participant and on the Board of Directors of the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) of St. Louis.