Dr. Kandis Y. Boyd is a trailblazer, an advocate and renowned expert in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). She has nearly 30 years of experience leading, teaching, advising and mentoring students and early career enthusiasts in environmental and atmospheric science. She was the first African-American female to receive an undergraduate degree in Meteorology from Iowa State University in 1996. And in 2007, received her doctorate in public administration with a specific concentration in inter-organizational leadership and cultural values. Her most recent federal government experience includes serving as the Strategic Advisor for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR) in the Office of the Director (OD), the first Deputy Division Director (DDD) of the NSF Division of Grants and agreements, and serving as both the Acting Director and Deputy Director of the NOAA Weather Program Office.

Dr. Boyd is an award-winning Senior Executive with a proven record of accomplishment of innovating and launching complex, multidisciplinary science programs to conduct collaborative research in atmospheric science. 2021 American Meteorological Society Fellow and 2021 recipient of the Charles A. Anderson Award for lifetime commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA). Lifelong commitment to education, science, service, and stewardship. Broad experience forging and cultivating relationships from government to private sector to academia. Directed annual funding exceeding $5B and provided oversight of over 12,000 new federal grants annually. Far reaching results in developing strategy for environmental satellites, hydrological and meteorological operational forecasting, public policy, and research to operations. Experienced senior executive and strategic advisor overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, team development, mentoring, performance improvement, and new supervisor training programs. Successfully promoted diversity initiatives for 20,000 federal employees and contractors on an agency-wide level that garnered Administrator support and recognition.