Candace Shaffer’s commitment to improving the well-being of others is at the core of her professional successes and personal motivation. In 2014, she began her career in benefits at Purdue University. From 2017 to 2023, she served as senior director of benefits, leading the university’s benefit team and was responsible for the overall strategic and financial approach to Purdue University’s and Purdue University global benefit packages.

Today, as associate vice president, benefits and payroll, she provides visionary, strategic leadership to plan, develop, maintain and enhance the university’s comprehensive benefits package and payroll processes. She is responsible for generating new ideas, leading and persuading others to reach a consensus to drive alignment across different areas, including oversight of personnel appointment processing, HR service center benefit administration for the Purdue University system.

As a result of Shaffer’s dedication to overall health and well-being, Purdue was named the 2023 Healthiest Employer in Indiana. Additionally, she received the following awards the 2023 Health Care Innovation Award (Employers’ Forum of Indiana) and 2023 Hoosier Health and Well-being Workplace Champion (Wellness Council of Indiana).