Joined Amway in 2007
From Candace
“Amway, in partnership with its business owners, helps people around the world achieve their potential through business ownership. We have helped millions of entrepreneurs go into business for themselves, but not by themselves. That’s the power of the Amway business.”
Learn More About Candace
As the Americas region president, Candace Matthews oversees operations and works closely with Amway Business Owners in North America and Latin America markets that include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Matthews joined Amway in 2007 as chief marketing officer, leading category marketing for beauty, nutrition and home brands; the Amway brand; digital and experiential marketing; corporate citizenship; public relations; and integrated marketing communications.
Prior to Amway, Matthews served as president of SoftSheen-Carson, Consumer Products Division of L’Oreal USA. In this role, she oversaw all company operations, including the merger of the L’Oreal’s SoftSheen and Carson businesses.
Matthews was also vice president, new product and package innovation and managing director, non-cola brands, with the Coca-Cola Company, and had senior marketing positions at the CIBA Vision Corporation; Bausch + Lomb, Oral Care Division; Procter & Gamble; and General Mills, where she began her marketing career.
Matthews received a Bachelor of Science degree in metallurgical engineering and administrative and management science from Carnegie Mellon University. She also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University.
Matthews is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and serves on the boards of BIC, Economic Club of Grand Rapids, Fifth Third Bank – Western Michigan, Figure Skating in Harlem and Detroit and Spectrum Health Foundation. She served previously on the boards of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and U.S. Dream Academy. Matthews is also a former member of the board of trustees at Carnegie Mellon University and previously served on the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Advisory Council.
Matthews was named to the Black Enterprise magazine’s 2017 and 2018 lists of the “Most Powerful Women in Business.” In addition, she was named one of the “20 Most Influential Women in Direct Selling” by the Direct Selling News in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Matthews received the Stanford Graduate School of Business “Alumni Tapestry Award” and the Café Mocha “Game Changer Award,” both in 2014. Among the many other awards throughout her career, Matthews received the “CEW Achiever Award” in 2007 and, most notably, was named the Black Enterprise magazine “Corporate Executive of the Year” in 2009.