Candace Allen Nafissi M.P.A

Candace Allen Nafissi earned a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. She serves in a senior capacity for the largest publicly-funded healthcare plan in California, LA Care.

For over a decade Candace advocated for investments in early care and education for the second largest Chamber of Commerce in the United States, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Nafissi led and coordinated a statewide effort with the elected leadership of Los Angeles County and its business community to secure investments in early care and education, resulting in a stronger, thriving workforce in the Los Angeles region.

Prior to the L.A. Area Chamber, Candace was the Community Partnership Manager at Pediatric Therapy Network (PTN), assisting vulnerable families with accessing community and healthcare services as part of PTN’s federal Early Head Start program. Nafissi established key Memorandums of Understanding with vital community partners, organizations and county agencies, ensuring maximum services attainment for less vulnerable families.

Nafissi currently serves on several appointed commissions: the Redondo Beach Library Commission, the Redondo Beach General Planning Action Committee, and was appointed by Supervisor Janice Hahn as a L.A. County Beaches and Harbors Commissioner. She has previously served on the Historical Commission for the City of Redondo Beach and the Los Angeles County Children and Families Commission.

Candace’s vast government experience includes representing then-Assembly Member Ted Lieu (now s U.S. Congressman) where she was a key liaison for issue areas such as children, health and education.

And, fulfilling involvement in what she views as her most important role, Candace serves on the executive board of her son’s PTA as the Legislative Liaison, is the neighborhood watch block captain for her street and is living happily ever after with her husband Joe, their sons Kian (8), Kamran (5) and their sheepadoodle, Chloe.