Mrs. Cieslo was appointed as Executive Director of VA’s Center for Faith on Aug. 8, 2025. In that role, she leads VA’s faith-based outreach to increase awareness of and enrollment in VA programs and services for Veterans and their families.
Cieslo and her team are responsible for establishing and strengthening collaborative partnerships with houses of worship, community organizations, and faith-based programs in support of the Veteran community.
Candace joins VA after coordinating multinational efforts involving NGOs, the State Department, and various embassies to support relocation and settlement initiatives for 15,000 individuals seeking political asylum following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. She later served as Chief Programs Officer, overseeing key programs for these allies, including developing legitimate pathways and comprehensive support for acclimation in new environments.
Candace is an Army Veteran of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Her husband is retired Army, her daughter is currently serving on active duty, and her father and both brothers are retired Coast Guard.
Candace is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.