August 17, 2025 | Dan Weidman
Find Your Grind Welcomes Candice Sears as Director of State Advocacy and Funding
Find Your Grind is thrilled to announce the newest addition to our leadership team — Candice Sears, joining us as Director of State Advocacy and Funding.
Candice comes to Find Your Grind from Montgomery County Educational Service Center (ESC) in Ohio, where she played a pivotal role in connecting districts to innovative programs, navigating state education systems, and unlocking funding streams that bring meaningful change to classrooms.
Her deep understanding of state-level policy, funding opportunities, and educator needs positions her perfectly to accelerate Find Your Grind’s mission: helping students discover who they are, where they’re going, and how to get there.
Jumping over to Find Your Grind
When asked about this next chapter in her career, Candice’s passion was clear:
I’m beyond excited and seriously honored to join the Find Your Grind team. There’s something electric about unlocking possibilities—helping students dream bigger, think differently, and actually see a future they can own. The vibe is real, the mission is bold, and I’m all in for what’s next.
The Skills and Expertise Candice Brings
In her time at Montgomery County ESC, Candice built a reputation as a bridge-builder between state agencies, district leaders, and innovative education partners.
She has:
- Navigated complex state and federal funding processes to ensure schools have access to critical resources.
- Forged partnerships that connect districts with forward-thinking, career readiness, and SEL programs.
- Advocated at the state level for initiatives that prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
At Find Your Grind, she’ll lead efforts to expand state partnerships, secure sustainable funding, and work hand-in-hand with education leaders to integrate our Future Ready Students, Future Pro, and Future Balance solutions into classrooms nationwide.
A Message from Find Your Grind’s CEO
Nick Gross, CEO & Founder of Find Your Grind, shared his excitement about this strategic hire:
Candice is a game-changer. Her experience navigating state systems, securing funding, and building relationships with education leaders is exactly what we need as we expand our impact across the country. She has a proven track record of helping districts innovate and evolve—and she’s driven by the same passion we are: empowering students to design futures they’re excited about. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on our team.
Looking Ahead
With Candice leading our state advocacy and funding initiatives, Find Your Grind is doubling down on its commitment to making future-ready learning accessible, sustainable, and transformative for schools everywhere.
Her arrival marks an exciting new chapter in our mission to inspire students not just to plan for the future—but to create it.
