Candace Mitchell Harris
Co-Founder & CEO of MYAVANA
Candace Mitchell Harris is a pioneering force at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven leadership. Beginning at the start of establishing Atlanta in the national startup ecosystem, Candace’s journey as a computer scientist and visionary entrepreneur is marked by a profound commitment to transforming lives through innovation.
As the Founder & CEO of MYAVANA, a groundbreaking beauty tech company, Candace pioneered a new market segment of personalized hair care and spearheaded a revolution in the haircare industry. With a mission to transform industries through science and technology, MYAVANA offers patent-pending, personalized hair care solutions that leverage AI and healthy hair experts to take a photo of your hair and instantly match you with the right products for your hair goals. Their revolutionary approach, including a hair strand analysis kit similar to “23&me for your hair”, empowers consumers to make informed decisions on products, ingredients, regimens, and stylists tailored to their unique hair texture, type, and condition.
Under Candace’s leadership, MYAVANA has not only pioneered AI recognition for textured, multicultural hair but has also amassed the world’s largest database of hair care data. Trusted by industry giants like Ulta, Unilever, Sephora, and Amazon, MYAVANA’s scientific methodology stands as a beacon of innovation and reliability for all hair textures and ethnicities.
Candace’s trailblazing contributions have garnered widespread recognition, including induction into the Georgia Tech College of Computing Hall of Fame and the prestigious title of 2023 Beauty Matters Innovator of the Year. She has been celebrated on platforms like Forbes 30 Under 30, WWD’s Top 50 Beauty Innovators, CNN’s Small Business Success segment, and Cheddar News Women’s History Month spotlight among others.
As a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Candace’s commitment to excellence extends beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits. Named on Georgia Tech’s Top 40 Under 40 Alumni list, she is deeply invested in giving back to transform the communities around her. Through her consulting firm, CVM Worldwide, Candace empowers entrepreneurs to build generational wealth and sustainable businesses through expertise and execution support, touching lives globally.
Her dedication to holistic success is exemplified in her debut book, “The Shift” and media platform “Shift TV” which offers entrepreneurs the spiritual insights needed to navigate and thrive on their journeys. Candace embodies a rare blend of visionary leadership, technological innovation, and compassionate entrepreneurship, leaving an indelible mark on industries and hearts alike.