Shaping education through procurement
Dallas ISD is home to many women in leadership like Candace Yarbough, executive director of Procurement Services, whose role is essential to the district’s daily operations and overall success.
Yarbough leads the department that buys goods and services for the district in five main areas—food and child nutrition, maintenance, general administration, technology and teaching and learning.
Recently, she has been leading the district’s transition from a manual procurement process to an electronic platform called Bonfire. This updated technology is expected to provide better accessibility and a more transparent process for district users as well as vendors. Yarbough feels that the new platform will ensure every corner of the district has the necessary tools to be impactful and resourceful.
“I feel accomplished knowing that our teachers and district departments are supported. At one point, I wanted to be a teacher, as well. Even in procurement, my impact still reaches the classroom,” Yarbough said.
A Dallas ISD alumna from Pleasant Grove, Yarbough attended W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy and Rufus C. Burleson Elementary School. She graduated in 2000 from the Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center.
After attending Dallas College and The University of Texas at Arlington, Yarbough attended Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. Eventually, Yarbough felt there was more to her career than practicing law, and 10 years ago, she made a smooth transition to the district as a contract specialist in Procurement Services.
After a time working with district buyers and vendors, Yarbough put her knowledge of law to use as she transitioned to the district’s Legal Services Department as assistant general counsel.
“In this role I was exposed to employment and school law, which was an amazing experience,” Yarbough said about returning to her roots as a lawyer within an educational setting.
After this position, her admiration for educators led Yarbough back to procurement services and her current leadership role.
“When stepping into my role as executive director, I was impacted by other women chiefs and executive directors who encouraged me and supported my leadership transition,” Yarbough said.
She models her leadership style after the lessons of resilience and determination that she learned from her sister.
“My sister is 10 years older than me. I looked up to her as a successful business owner and woman in a male dominated STEM field,” Yarbough said.
Although Yarbrough’s family grew up in poverty, she saw education as a way towards a better future.
“My mother always told me if I did nothing else, I had to get my education. My driving force was to fully become Candace before I became a wife or mother. I wanted to have my own identity,” she said.
These values fueled Yarbough’s determination in her youth and motivated her to push forward—not just for others, but for herself first. Yarbough has merged this ambition with her passion for helping others, making her a natural leader.
“I think a good leader has the ability to see and understand that people have different perspectives,” she said. “It’s my job to establish connections and build trust. I try to approach leadership through being open so that my team can trust that I am here for them, and most importantly, that I am an advocate for them.”
