Influential Women spotlights Wolters Kluwer sourcing leader Candiss Kumar

Influential Women has featured Candiss Kumar, CPSM, an Associate Director of Strategic Sourcing at Wolters Kluwer with more than 30 years of supply chain experience. The profile highlights her pandemic leadership, mentorship work and focus on AI, balance and women’s career growth.

Why it matters: - Candiss Kumar’s profile underscores how supply chain leadership now extends beyond procurement into crisis response, mentorship and technology adaptation. - Kumar’s message is aimed at workers, especially women in business and supply chain, who are weighing career growth against burnout and workplace uncertainty. - Her current focus on AI reflects a broader shift as companies look for leaders who can help teams use new tools without losing operational control.

What happened: - Influential Women published a spotlight on Candiss Kumar, CPSM, who serves as Associate Director, Strategic Sourcing at Wolters Kluwer. - Kumar has more than 30 years of experience in supply chain and strategic sourcing. - Kumar has spent 29 years at Wolters Kluwer. - Kumar is also the principal owner of International Kreative Family, LLC. - The profile presents Kumar as a supply chain leader, professional speaker, published author and mentor.

The details: - Kumar’s work at Wolters Kluwer has centered on efficiency, supplier strategy and aligning team performance with business goals. - Her experience includes supply chain management, strategic sourcing, vendor relationships, market analysis and operational optimization. - Kumar has supported executive decision-making through market studies, data analysis, vendor research and budget evaluations across marketing, sales and human resources. - During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kumar led a global supply chain organization overseeing 28 active projects. - Kumar helped teams shift to remote operations before widespread shutdowns disrupted work. - Kumar also helped coordinate employee support efforts by tracking affected employees and families and helping secure oxygen and medical supplies. - Kumar said that pandemic response remains the most meaningful accomplishment of her career. - Her CPSM certification signals formal supply management training and a continuing focus on professional excellence. - Kumar’s public speaking and mentoring work is focused on helping professionals build confidence and pursue growth opportunities. - Kumar encourages women in particular to recognize their value, advocate for themselves and leave workplaces that do not support their growth. - Kumar says grit, perseverance and determination have been central to her career progress. - Kumar also stresses that success should not be measured only by titles, compensation or recognition. - Kumar advises younger workers, including her daughter, to pursue excellence while protecting personal well-being. - Kumar’s career advice centers on being fully engaged in work, building relationships and bringing authenticity to the job. - Kumar views balance as essential to protecting identity, relationships and well-being. - Kumar says companies are not family and that employees should avoid tying their entire identity to their jobs.

Between the lines: - The profile frames Kumar as part corporate operator, part career coach, which suggests leadership influence is increasingly measured by impact on people as much as process. - Her emphasis on AI shows that even veteran supply chain executives are being pushed to reskill and prepare for a more automated business environment. - Her repeated focus on self-worth and balance reflects a counterweight to workplace cultures that reward constant availability and overidentification with work.

What’s next: - Kumar is pursuing certifications in various AI tools. - Kumar plans to speak with CEOs about how organizations can prepare for the future of artificial intelligence. - Kumar expects businesses to keep learning, adapting and investing in education as AI adoption accelerates. - Kumar says she will keep expanding her outreach through education, mentorship, advocacy and leadership. - Learn more about Candiss Kumar through her Influential Women profile.

The bottom line: - Kumar’s spotlight pairs classic supply chain credentials with a forward-looking message: lead with purpose, stay adaptable and do not lose personal identity to professional success.