Candace ONeil

Candace O’Neil is an accomplished communications and marketing professional with experience across various industries. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of Community Engagement within the Marketing and Communications department at United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), where she leads a team responsible for organizing large-scale events, fostering community engagement initiatives, and managing public and media relations, playing a key role in enhancing UWCA’s visibility and impact within the community.
Before her current role, Candace was the Event and Administration Coordinator at UWCA, where she honed her skills in managing sponsorships, negotiating contracts, and facilitating community volunteer collaborations. Her prior experience includes a role as an Account Strategy and Services Manager at Daxko, where she led a team driving digital marketing success for clients in the health and wellness sector.
Candace’s career also includes significant roles at the Birmingham Airport Authority, where she served as the Public Relations and Marketing Manager and previously as a Marketing Specialist. Her work involved acting as an airport spokesperson, developing comprehensive communication strategies, and coordinating high-profile advertising initiatives. Additionally, she enhanced the brand visibility and engagement of Cornerstone Schools of Alabama as a Public Relations and Marketing Specialist and Development Associate.
Her early career includes impactful positions at WIAT-TV CBS 42 and MailSouth (now Mspark), where she developed her skills in commercial production, client relations, and account management.
Candace holds a Master of Arts degree in Communication Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from the University of Montevallo.
Beyond her professional achievements, Candace is actively involved in various professional and volunteer organizations, including the Public Relations Society of America, Alabama Chapter and United Way of Central Alabama’s donor networks (Women United and J. Mason Davis Society). She has also served on the Junior Board of Cornerstone Schools of Alabama and the Alabama Humanities Foundation Young Professionals Board.
In her personal life, Candace enjoys a good sitcom, quality time with her family, painting, and bowling.