Anne S. Kandilis leads EDC 413WORKS/Springfield WORKS, a community-wide initiative with the Economic Development Council of Western MA to promote economic growth in low income communities.

Ms. Kandilis’ passion for workforce development and education grew from her board work with the Neighborhood Rebuild Plan after a 2011 tornado devastated her neighborhood. Before joining the EDC, she led Springfield’s Early Education Strategic Planning process and assisted the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation in the launch of a $14 million early education and care center, Educare Springfield, in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the city. Her work with Educare led to her commitment to implement a Two-Generation/Whole Family Approach to Careers model for workforce development to promote economic opportunity for families in the region.

Prior to her work in workforce development and education, Ms. Kandilis was a Senior Executive at a Fortune 100 Insurance Company in Corporate Strategy/Mergers & Acquisitions. During that period, she also led Federal Government Relations in Washington, DC. Previous professional accomplishments include a career as a Tax Partner with a “Big Four” Accounting/Consulting Practice in Boston.

Ms. Kandilis is a native of Springfield, attended Springfield Public Schools, a first generation college student, and resides in Springfield, MA. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and holds a Massachusetts Certified Public Accountant license.