At Two Sigma, our Coffee Club created Coffee With Colleagues, a simple but fruitful initiative that gives people across teams a chance to connect beyond their daily roles. Inspired by that spirit, we’re bringing those conversations to a wider audience with this series, sitting down with our team members to explore the career-defining moments, perspectives, and passions that make them who they are.
First up is Candi, a Foundational Data Manager based in our Houston office. Candi holds a PhD in Sociology and has built a career that spans IBM, the award-winning advertising agency GSD&M, and startup ventures, all before finding her way to Two Sigma. In this conversation, she shares about the moments that have guided her path, the skill she considers most essential, and her belief that no one builds a career alone.
Grab a cup and read on for highlights from our chat with Candi.
Starting at the top, what do you do at Two Sigma?
I manage a team of data analysts within Foundational Data Engineering, covering futures, forwards, options, and currencies.
Our core mission is ensuring the firm has the high-quality data it needs to power its modeling and trading activities. We operate at the intersection of data strategy, engineering, and the business, partnering with data strategy and vendor teams to source and onboard new datasets, collaborating with software engineers to build the pipelines and tools that process and ingest that data, and working directly with business stakeholders to understand their needs and deliver solutions. Beyond the technical work, a central part of my role is mentoring and developing data analysts, helping them build their skills and advance in their careers.
What first drew you to Two Sigma?
The more I learned about the culture and the caliber of people here, the more I realized it was a great fit for me. I’ve always been drawn to environments where I’m learning something new, and Two Sigma checked that box immediately. It wasn’t the most obvious next step on paper, but the best moves in my career rarely have been.
Looking back at your journey from IBM to GSD&M to startups and now Two Sigma, what skill has followed you through every role?
Adaptability. Every environment I’ve worked in has been different, different industries, different cultures, different expectations, but the ability to walk into an unfamiliar room, listen deeply, and figure out how to add value has been the constant. That, and knowing how to build trust with people quickly. The technical skills change, but the human skills compound.
What moments or decisions have been most pivotal in shaping your career path, and what did you learn from them?
The moments that have shaped my career most aren’t the wins, but the challenges. Projects that didn’t go as planned, tough feedback I didn’t expect, and times when I questioned whether I was ready for the next step. Early on, I viewed these moments as setbacks. Over time, I’ve come to see them as where the real learning happens. They’ve taught me to stay curious instead of defensive, to separate my worth from any single outcome, and to keep perspective when things feel high-stakes.
I’ve also learned to find joy in difficult situations, not by dismissing what’s hard, but by focusing on what I can control and appreciating the growth that comes from being pushed outside my comfort zone.
What’s something you wish you knew before beginning your career journey that you know now?
I wish I had understood earlier that your career doesn’t have to follow a straight line and that the detours are often where the most growth happens. I spent too much energy comparing my path to others and measuring myself against timelines and expectations that were not my own. I also wish I had known how important it is to ask for help and build relationships early. No one builds a career alone.
And that failure and mistakes are part of the process, not the end of it. Every misstep has taught me something I couldn’t have learned any other way.
What’s the best advice someone has given you, and what would you add to it now based on your own experience?
A philosophy that’s stayed with me comes from Tiffany R. Warren, founder of ADCOLOR: “Rise Up, Reach Back.” The idea is that as we advance and let our accomplishments shine, we have a responsibility to turn around and elevate others who deserve to be noticed and promoted. Progress happens when we actively support and celebrate one another.
How do you bring your full self to work, and has that evolved over time?
I try to be authentic and transparent in how I show up at work, but just as importantly, I try to create a space where others feel comfortable doing the same. That’s something that’s evolved over time. Earlier in my career, I was more guarded, focused on fitting in rather than standing out as myself. Over time, I’ve grown to challenge more and accept challenges with grace. I’ve learned that being your full self at work isn’t just about what you share, it’s about being open to what others bring too.
I work with amazing people whose cultures and lifestyles I learn from every day, and in return, I get to share special parts of myself with them. That exchange is what makes work meaningful to me. When people feel safe enough to be themselves, the work gets better and the relationships go deeper.
What’s something outside of work that is meaningful to you?
What brings me the most joy is my tribe: my family, friends, mentors, and mentees. These are the people who ground me, challenge me, and remind me of what matters most. Whether it’s celebrating wins together, leaning on each other during tough times, or simply enjoying each other’s company, those relationships are what fuel me outside of work and make everything else worthwhile.
And finally, just for fun, do you have a favorite office pantry snack?
This is tough because the Houston office has a great snack selection. I love the turmeric and ginger shots and the fresh fruit and salad bar. I recently requested Mrs. Vicky’s Jalapeño chips and they were in stock the next day. Our office staff is amazing and keeps us happy and well fed.
Ready for the next step in your career journey and interested in working at Two Sigma? Explore our open opportunities.