Candidly

Proud to support the 'Employer Participation in Repayment Act' a #bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced by U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and Senator #JohnThune (R-SD) and Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-50) that would permanently extend the tax exemption for employer contributions toward employees’ student loans. Originally established under the #CARES Act, it is currently set to expire on January 1, 2026. The legislation would allow employers to make tax-free contributions of up to $5,250 per year toward employees’ student loans, creating new opportunities for workers to pay down debt faster and for businesses to #attract and #retain talent. Our longtime member Candidly, led by the tireless Laurel Taylor, facilitates student loan repayment and other benefits on behalf of employers and has facilitated over $100 million in tax-free employer student loan contributions under this exemption, helping employees pay down debt and leading to a 67% reduction in turnover among participants. "Our platform has deployed over $100 million in tax-advantaged Student Loan Employer Contributions, enabling employees to accelerate debt repayment through workplace benefits,” said?Laurel Taylor, CEO and Founder of Candidly. “For this powerful solution to reach its full potential and become standard practice in America’s workplaces, legislative permanency is essential. Only through sustained policy commitment can we scale this proven benefit category, transforming how we collectively address the student debt crisis facing millions of working Americans." #ThankYou Taylor Weyeneth, Geoffrey Antell, Elizabeth Falcone, Lot Kwarteng, Baillee Brown

?? ?? Power brokers - Category Leaders at the Top of Their Game. Thank you Inc. Magazine Female Founders 500 for the recognition. ?? ?? Candidly wasn't born from a whiteboard exercise or total addressable market analysis. It emerged from my family's kitchen table, where as a high school student, I watched my mother, a woman of steely strength, break down in tears trying to navigate the bewildering maze of FAFSA forms and financial aid options. That moment - seeing her overwhelmed by a system designed to help but instead causing confusion and distress - has never left me. Years later, we found ourselves forgoing two decades of savings and retirement savings while paying down six figures of student debt. Enter Candidly. Beyond the urge to solve the obvious need, what continues to drive me is the visceral understanding that behind every data point that helps us optimize debt and savings is a human story. The young professional delaying homeownership. The parents who want a different future for their children. The millennial and mom that can now both make simultaneous progress - building wealth while paying down debt due to SECURE 2.0. These aren't just market segments – they're the heartbeat of why we build. This recognition celebrates founders who bring lived experiences to solving entrenched problems.? These lived experiences fuel a determination that radiates from founders who won't rest until the problem is solved - an unmistakable energy that everyone can feel in their presence. As Inc. advisor Suneera Madhani beautifully noted, we're in an era of women truly championing one another.?On that note, allow me to celebrate and elevate other Power Brokers, as it is awesome to be in your company: From Amanda Levay revolutionizing privacy and data redaction, to Courtney Fukuda transforming urban mobility, to Emily Cisek digitizing legacy planning, to Heather Ibrahim-Leathers, CFA creating economic opportunity for widows globally, to Jenny Groberg democratizing financial expertise for small businesses, to Patty Arvielo expanding homeownership across underserved communities, and our work at Candidly transforming student debt into wealth-building opportunities. And the Journey To Lead community, comprised of epic leaders, are showing up all over this list. Celebrating Saskia Sorrosa Michelle Ruiz Shanel Fields Shayna Harris Supply Change Capital and Arian Simone! And, Ana Mahony and Laura Spiekerman as always. Yes!! We're each tackling areas where traditional systems have failed millions. To every person struggling with student debt: your story matters. To every founder building from personal pain: your perspective is your superpower. And to my incredible team making this vision real: this recognition belongs to all of us. Onwards with urgency and purpose! https://lnkd.in/gCQ9BssF