Candace Wheat serves as Technical Outreach Specialist at Smart Home America, where she equips community stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to build stronger, safer homes. She delivers continuing education on resilient construction methods to insurance professionals, home builders, roofers, code officials, and realtors across the United States, translating technical standards into practical guidance that professionals can put to work immediately.

A FORTIFIED trained evaluator with deep roots in education and a career built on helping people navigate complex challenges, Candace builds and maintains the partnerships with organizations and building professionals that drive Smart Home America's mission forward. She works closely with onprofit housing partners to bring FORTIFIED construction to families who need it most, helping expand access to resilient, affordable homes in communities across the country. Before joining SHA, she
high school teacher, an experience that shaped her talent for making complex material clear, engaging, and memorable. She has led and motivated cross-functional teams, delivered high-impact training sessions, and provided the ongoing coaching that helps teams perform at their best.

A native of coastal Mississippi, Candace knows firsthand what severe weather can do communities, and she brings that lived experience to her work every day. She currently lives in Mobile, Alabama, where she enjoys spend her downtime on adventures with her Goldendoodle, Punkin.